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Pediculosis is the infestation of lice on the human body, with three types of lice that can live on the body, head, and in pubic hair. Each type requires different treatment, with head lice being the most common and treated with shampoo containing pyrethrin or permethrin. Body lice are less common but can transmit typhoid fever, and pubic lice are often found in sexually active people. The LouseBuster, a device that uses warm air, may be a more effective treatment for lice.
Lice infestation on the human body is called pediculosis. Pediculosis refers to the three types of lice that can live on the body, head and in public hair. Each type of head lice is slightly different and requires different forms of treatment.
Head lice are the most common cause of pediculosis and occur most commonly in school-age children. Lice are quite small, making them sometimes difficult to spot unless you’re really looking. More often than not, lice inspection shows nits, the tiny lice eggs that attach themselves to the base of the hair shaft.
The usual treatment for pediculosis due to head lice is to wash the hair with a head lice shampoo, which usually contains pyrethrin or permethrin. Some mousses containing permethrin have also been developed. These chemicals kill lice, but normally a second application of the shampoo should be applied about a week after the first application. Also, after shampooing, the hair must be combed thoroughly to rid the hair of nits.
Body louse looks very similar to head louse, but the treatment is different. Pediculosis due to body lice tends to be much less common. The nits usually stick to the clothing and the person infected with this form of pediculosis may notice tiny bites on the skin, as this is the normal method by which the louse stays alive. Body lice are slightly more dangerous than head lice because lice can and do transmit forms of typhoid fever to humans.
In both head lice and body lice, it is important to wash your clothes and bedding. Washing children’s stuffed animals is also important as they can harbor lice. People with pediculosis due to body lice can also be treated with antibiotics, as this can stop a typhoid infection.
Pediculosis due to crab or pubic louse most often infests the pubic hair. However, it can also be found on the hair under the arms, legs, or beards of people. This louse is similar in appearance to head and body lice, with a somewhat smaller head.
As with head lice, pubic hair is washed out with head lice shampoo. All bedding and clothing should also be washed. Many find it helpful to shave their pubic hair as this effectively eliminates a place for nits to live. Head lice of this type are more common among those who are sexually active, as transmission most commonly occurs during sexual activity.
All forms of pediculosis can be treated, but some scientists fear that pubic lice and head lice now show some resistance to the chemicals used to kill them. A new method of treating lice is to use warm air, from a device called the LouseBuster, to kill the lice eggs. The same results cannot be achieved with a hair dryer. The LouseBuster is still in testing, but preliminary tests show it kills about 98% of nits and any lice. It may eventually prove to be a more effective way to rid your hair of lice.
