In this paper we use detailed data about the biology of the head louse (pediculus humanus capitis) to build a model of the evolution of head lice colonies. Using theory and computer simulations, we show that the model can be used to assess the impact of the various strategies usually applied to eradicate head lice, both conscious (treatments) and unconscious (grooming). In the case of treatment...

Pediculosis capitis, or head lice, is a world-wide public health concern affecting persons of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is caused by Pediculus humanus capitis, an obligate ectoparasite that lives on human hair and feeds on the blood from the skin. Upon diagnosis, treatment should be initiated, since established infestations with head lice generally do not spontaneously resolve....

Background: Pediculosis in humans and especially children is a very common dermatological disorder caused by the parasites Pediculus humanus capitis, Pediculus humanus humanus and/or Pediculus phthirus pubis. Aim: The aim of this study was to further investigate the relations of studied socioeconomic variables towards the understanding of pediculosis dynamics in the Greek population. Materials ...

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) infestations are not a primary health hazard or a vector for disease, but they are a societal problem with substantial costs. Diagnosis of head lice infestation requires the detection of a living louse. Although pyrethrins and permethrin remain first-line treatments in Canada, isopropyl myristate/ST-cyclomethicone solution and dimeticone can be considered a...

The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) is a blood-sucking arthropod of the suborder Anoplura. Infestation continues in epidemic proportions in children of all socioeconomic groups. Although not implicated as a disease vector, infestation can lead to considerable distress, missed days of school, and secondary infections. Pyrethroids are recommended for treatment, but resistance is common. Ne...

The effectiveness of 1-octanol, 1-nonanol, 1-decanol, 1-undecanol, and 1-dodecanol was evaluated by immersion method against susceptible and permethrin-resistant head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, from Buenos Aires, Argentina. All the tested alcohols showed knockdown effect at 10 min and mortality 18 h after treatment. The highest activity was found for the 1-dodecanol (KC50 2.55%, L...

Archaic mummies from northern Chile were examined for the presence of Pediculus humanus capitis. The excellent preservation of mummies and louse nits/eggs permitted a study of the degree of head lice infestation. We studied 63 Chinchorro mummies (ca. 5000-3000 years B.P.) from the Arica-Camarones coast. An area of 2cm×2cm on each mummy's head was systematically inspected for louse nits/eggs. Ha...

Head lice, Pediculis capitis De Geer, populations were investigated for permethrin and malathion resistance after initial establishment of a discriminating dose of topical application bioassay with body lice, Pediculus humanus L. For both insecticides, approximately 2 times the lethal dose (LD)95 at 4 h was selected, 2 ng of permethrin and 100 ng of malathion per head louse, respectively. Head ...