OBJECTIVE To determine the diagnostic accuracy of visual inspection and wet combing in pediculosis capitis (head lice infestation). Visual inspection of 5 predilection sites (temples, behind the ears, and neck) was performed first, followed by wet combing of hair moistened with conditioner. Presence of mobile stages was defined as active infestation, presence of nits alone as historic infestati...

INTRODUCTION Head lice infestations are common in sub-Saharan Africa, but knowledge, attitudes and practices have never been studied in this region. METHODOLOGY This population-based study was conducted in a small rural community (population = 590) in Kwara State, Central Nigeria. Inhabitants of the community were interviewed regarding head lice infestations, using a pre-tested structured que...

Head lice infestation, or pediculosis capitis, caused by Pediculus humanus capitis, is a common health concern. In the US, where pediculosis capitis is the most prevalent parasitic infestation of children, 6 to 12 million people are affected every year. Pediculosis capitis remains confined to the scalp. Scalp pruritus is the cardinal symptom, although patients with lice can be asymptomatic. Pru...

Received: December 2011, Accepted: September 2012 Background: Head lice infestation is one of the most common parasitic infections with a long history in the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of head lice infestation among 3-6 years old children going to nursery schools in Kashan, Iran in 2009. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 120...

Head lice infestation is associated with limited morbidity but causes a high level of anxiety among parents of school-aged children. Since the 2002 clinical report on head lice was published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, patterns of resistance to products available over-the-counter and by prescription have changed, and additional mechanical means of removing head lice have been explore...

Head lice infestation is associated with limited morbidity but causes a high level of anxiety among parents of school-aged children. Since the 2002 clinical report on head lice was published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, patterns of resistance to products available overthe-counter and by prescription have changed, and additional mechanical means of removing head lice have been explored...

The diagnosis of head lice infestation is made through visual inspection of the hair and the scalp or by dry/wet combing. The choice of the method essentially depends whether the examiner aims at the detection of active infestation – presence of trophic stages and/or viable eggs – or wants to identify a historical infestation (presence only of nits/dead eggs). For the latter purpose, visual ins...

BACKGROUND Antifilarial drug combinations including ivermectin provide antifilarial activity with ancillary benefits on intestinal helminths and ectoparasites, such as chiggers and lice. The impact of single oral dose of antifilarial drugs, viz; (1) diethylcarbamazine (DEC) alone, (ii) DEC + albendazole (ALB), (iii) ivermectin (IVR) + DEC and (iv) IVR + ALB, was determined, on the head louse (P...

Head lice can affect people of any age but children between the ages of four and 11 years are the most frequently infested. Surveys in UK schools have found between 4 and 22 per cent of children are affected. Girls are more commonly affected than boys (this may be because girls often huddle together when playing) and children living in urban areas are more frequently infested than those living ...