Body Lice, Head Lice, Crabs
Basic Information
There are basically three different types of "creeping critters" that can be found in three separate locations in the body. They are all called pediculosis. The two main ones are the Pediculosis Humanus which contains the groups of the body lice and the head lice. The Phthirus Pubis are responsible for infestations in the genital area.
The name is an indication of the locale on the body:
- head lice(pediculosis capitus )
- body lice (peiculosis corpis)
- pubic lice (pediculosis pubis)
Pubic lice are also commonly called crabs. While head lice are commonly referred to as cooties. Body lice are referred to as the body bugs. Often they are similar in appearance and even can have affability to coexist and even interbreed together. They are however different in habits in their consumption as well as primary body locations. Lice infestation is a condition in which tiny parasites that are blood sucking and cause an inflammation of the skin at various locations.
Head lice (pediculus humanus capitis) are extremely common in -- though not limited to -- children, with an estimated 8 to 12 million cases seen in the U.S. per year. Head lice are most often transmitted by person-to-person contact, usually in crowded environments such as schools or day-care centers where children gather to play. They are also easily spread through the sharing of hats, scarves, brushes and combs. There seems to be an association with long hair, and besides the sharing of brushes and combs, perhaps this is one reason why more girls are affected than boys. No need for shame here -- the infestation of head lice does not indicate poor personal hygiene.
These head lice are tiny pests that feed on human blood and live on the scalps of humans only. These parasites are about 3 millimeters in length and attach themselves by tiny hooks on their legs. They transport themselves by crawling and, if not eradicated, can infest the eyebrows, eyelashes and even the beard. They deposit nits (the ova or the eggs) on the shafts of the hair. These are pearl-colored and can easily be seen attached to the hair. Nits are hatched within 7 to 10 days, after which they become adult lice, fully maturing in 1 ½ to 2 weeks.
Body lice (Pediculosis corporis) are not as common as head lice. Both lice and nits can be seen on the skin or hair but are seen most easily along the seams of clothing. Body lice can be transmitted not only through contact with bed mates or sexual partners but also from contact with inanimate objects. For instance, body lice could be acquired from trying on infested clothing in a store or sharing unclean towels. Maintaining good hygiene is the best protection against infestation.
Pubic lice (Pediculosis pubis or Phthirus pubis) are the creeping critters commonly known as crabs. They are shorter in length. They are usually sexually transmitted -- although the sharing of clothing can transmit them as well. Though found most frequently in the pubic area, they can also infest any hair-bearing region of the body, including the hair around the anus, the thigh or abdomen. At times they appear just below the skin surface so a careful search must be done. Sometimes they can even be found clinging to underwear. The crab's life cycle is approximately 30 days. A typical female louse will lay about 250 to 300 eggs per life cycle or about 10 per day.
Crabs or Pediculosis pubis is the most contagious sexually transmitted disease (STD) with a 90% transmission rate from just one sexual exposure with an infected partner. The crab does not spread HIV which is a common misunderstanding.
You may be at risk for becoming infested if you or your partner are sexually active outside of a monogamous relationship. If you are diagnosed with crabs it is important that you notify your sexual partners so that they may seek treatment. And be certain that you do not engage in further sexual activity until you have followed up with your health care provider to determine that you are no longer infectious.
Remember that lice are human parasites. That means they cannot survive off the human body for more than 8--10 days.
Symptoms
Itching or scratching, sometimes severe, are the symptoms of lice infestation. The itching is caused by several factors:
- The actual puncture
- Burrowing
- Excretement of the louse and the louses body fluids
These are placed in the dermis or skin of the infected person causing an allergic reaction. Often this itching is so intense sleep depravation is involved. Sometimes a secondary infection can occur due to bacteria that can spread when the patient is tearing or scratching the skin. This secondary infection can occasionally obscure the diagnosis of the initial infestation.
As well hives and serious skin changes can take place in those who are not treated correctly or misdiagnosed. A child with head lice found in the nape of the neck or especially behind the ears could experience itching that is both bothersome and distracting.
Diagnosis/Treatment
Lice can often be diagnosed by a close examination with a magnifying glass and a strong light. Though mature lice are sometimes spotted, it is usually the nits (or eggs) attached to the hair shafts that are more easily seen. Look at the hair from different angles and positions. Make sure you get down to the scalp and gently spread the hair over the whole surface for a thorough search. Also diagnosis is easier to make when the hair is wet. Nits found on clothing can also be the basis for a diagnosis.
Wood's light examination can be a useful tool in screening children for possible cases of head lice since it points out the presence of nits through fluorescence.
Unfortunately, lice or nits are not removed by normal shampooing or brushing. What is called for is anti-lice medication, such as lotions, creams, or shampoos applied to the infested areas. It is important to follow the directions on your medication - some call for single applications, others for re-application usually after one week. Anti-lice medications are toxic and must be kept out of the reach of children. Most cases of lice infestation respond without delay to the proper treatment.
But remember - your own body's infestation might not be the only dwelling place of these contagious critters - they can survive for a short period of time on inanimate objects. The entire house should have a good cleaning after you have been treated and, of course, household roommates should be advised of the infestation. Scarves, clothing, toys and bed linens should all be washed. So should all combs, brushes, barrettes, hats, accessories, head phones, hair rollers, mattresses, pillows, pillow cases and helmets. As you can see there are a lot of items to remember. Anything that is non-washable can be sealed in a plastic bag for 14 days or dry cleaned.
A case of crabs or pubic lice in a child is often due to sexual abuse by an infested adult. Also infestation of the eyelashes in a child may be an indicator of sexual abuse. The child diagnosed with crabs must be further investigated for the presence of other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). As well the siblings must be checked.
You should contact your health care provider if you feel you have a possible lice infestation - as stated before, one of the complications from this condition is secondary infection from itching.
If you are diagnosed with crabs or pubic lice, your health care provider will want to check for the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, hepatitis B and herpes. When a person has at least one sexually transmitted disease, studies have shown that the risk for HIV transmission is much more likely. This is thought to be due to the body's altered defense mechanism when it is infected with an STD.
HIV as well as other diseases cannot be transmitted by the crab. However since crabs are usually sexually transmitted a discussion about HIV testing and counseling is very important and indicated.
Should you even suspect that you have a STD (sexually transmitted disease) please see your health care provider promptly.
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