Pediculosis

Pediculosis (lice) - parasitizing on a person small bloodsucking insects - lice. Lice live in human hair (head lice), underwear and clothes (louse), pubic region and less often on other hairy parts of the body (pubic louse). The female lays 5-15 eggs a day (nits), firmly attached to the hair and linen. The duration of the development period under temperature conditions close to body temperature, from egg laying to maturation is 16 days. Lice are transmitted from person to person with direct contact (through clothing, underwear, household items, brushes, etc.). The pubic louse is often transmitted to the genital tract. Pediculosis manifests by itching at the site of bite of lice, small grayish-bluish spots on the skin, combs, presence of nits in the hair. As a result of infection, scratching can develop pustular diseases. Head and ward lice are carriers of typhus and a number of other rickettsiosis.

Treatment. To combat pediculosis use chemicals, boiling laundry, disinfecting clothes in disinfection cells (or ironing with a hot iron).

Prophylaxis: observance of personal and public hygiene (regular washing, changing of linen, sanitation of baths, hairdressing salons, etc.).