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Lice

Lice are tiny wingless insects that survive on humans and animals and suck their blood.

Target Group

Head lice are more frequent in school going children, day care centers. Body lice are seen in areas of poverty, overcrowding, and poor hygiene.

Type of Ailment

There are three main types of lice that infect people - head lice, body lice, and pubic lice (crabs). They usually leech to the body to suck blood.

Symptoms

Each one type of Lice has different symptoms. The common symptoms are -

Head Lice

  • Itching in the scalp
  • Tiny whitish grey football-shaped eggs sticking to hair close to the scalp
  • Blackish or grayish ant sized insects behind the ears or at the nape of the neck
  • Wound on the scalp due to itching and scratching

Body Lice

  • Reddish, tender bumps caused by bites on the body
  • Eggs (nits) on clothing, most often in the seams of undergarments

Pubic Lice

  • Itching in the genital area
  • Small crablike insects on the skin in the crotch region
  • Small dark flecks, which are crab faeces, on underwear
  • Nits clinging to the base of pubic hair

Affected Areas

The head lice affect the scalp, body lice usually affect the arms, torso and buttocks, while the pubic lice attacks the pubic area.

Causes

The main cause of the growth of lice is not maintaining cleanliness and personal hygiene. Lice grow and multiply very fast in unhygienic conditions. They are more often seen in poor, unclean areas where people cannot keep up to personal hygiene.

Risk to Others

Head lice can spread by sharing hair brushes, pillows, combs, helmets and caps. Body to body contact and sexual intercourse may lead to the spread of body and pubic lice.

Risk to Sufferer

If not controlled the ailment can increase very fast causing breaks in the skin which may lead to further infections and fever.

Treatment

Treatment for lice is essential. Your doctor may suggest shampoos, soaps or detergents that will kill the lice. However one should also keep themselves clean to avoid the growth of lice.

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