Head Lice:
Alternative names:
lice - head; nits; pediculosis; pediculosis capitis
Symptoms:
- intense itching on
the scalp
- lice on scalp and clothing (these may be difficult to
see unless the infestation is heavy)
- eggs on hair shaft (these appear as tiny white specks
firmly attached to the base of the hair shaft)
Signs and tests:
Examination is sufficient to determine the presence of lice.
Inspect the head of anyone who might have been exposed to
lice, using a bright light (full sun or the brightest lights
in your home during daylight hours work well). A magnifying
glass can also help. Part the hair all the way down to the
scalp in very small sections, looking both for moving insects
and nits. Inspect the entire head this way. Look closely around
the nape of the neck and ears, the most common locations for
nits. Treatment is recommended if even one nit is found.
The infestation may be confined to the scalp or may include
the surface of the body (body
lice) including the groin area (pubic
lice).
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
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