Some parasites have medicinal uses, but head lice cannot be used medicinally. Infestation can cause skin irritation and blood loss. Treatment involves washing bedding and clothing, using insecticide shampoo, and removing nits and lice with a comb. Complications include sores and bacterial infections.
A variety of human parasites have some limited medicinal uses. Leeches can be used to control bleeding or draw toxins from the bloodstream. Certain intestinal worms can help in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Pediculus capitis, an animal commonly known as the head louse, however, cannot be used medicinally. Infestation of a human host by this parasite is known as pediculosis capitis and is generally not an emergency, although heavy infestations can seriously damage the skin and cause considerable blood loss.
Pediculus capitis can cause severe skin irritation. Lice are insects that latch onto the scalp and hair follicles and feed on a person’s blood. To get into a person’s blood, a louse must bite a small hole in the skin. An enzyme in the louse’s saliva makes it difficult for the blood to clot, so the louse can continue to feed through a single bite for a long period of time. The louse’s hooked legs, bite, and saliva released in the bite can cause irritation and itching of the scalp.
A medical condition that requires treatment, head lice is seen frequently throughout the world and often affects children. It is transmitted from person to person through direct head-to-head contact or by sharing hoods, jackets, or scarves. Although treatment is still needed, the presence of a few head lice on a person can often be treated without a visit to the doctor.
To treat head lice, several steps must be followed. First, the person’s bedding and clothing should be washed to kill any lice or nits found on these fabrics. The person should then be washed with a shampoo that contains an insecticide designed to kill lice. Natural treatments can also be used, many of which are quite effective. Nits and adult lice can also be removed with a special comb.
Although extremely unlikely, a pediculus capitis infestation can lead to other medical conditions. Sores on the scalp are the most common complication of these infestations, especially if a person scratches excessively. If left untreated, it is possible to develop a bacterial infection in these sores. However, pediculus capitis infestations do not spread blood-borne diseases.
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