Pediculosis

Pediculosis. General information

Pediculosis or lice (from the word Pediculus - louse) Is a specific parasitic lice on humans, feeding on his blood. More than anything is known 500 types of lice, each of which parasitizes on any one species of mammals and does not pass to the other. There are three types of lice, parasitizing on humans: head, wardrobe and pubic. Accordingly, head lice is subdivided into head, wardrobe, pubic and mixed (several types).

The epidemiological significance of head lice is, that lice transmit a number of infectious diseases. The most dangerous are typhus and relapsing fever. Moreover, head lice is accompanied by severe itching, sleep disturbance, in some cases, the addition of a secondary infection in the area of ​​scratching (dermatitis, koltun), as well as stress. Psychological consequences of the disease, especially pronounced in children, are of no small importance.

According to the World Health Organization, pediculosis is now the most common parasitic disease in the world.. The deterioration of the material and sanitary-hygienic situation of people contributes to the spread of lice, However, head lice is widespread in both developing, and in economically developed countries. Stereotype, that head lice is the fate of people without a fixed place of residence is wrong, among the general population, the disease is also common. Not a single educated and clean person can be insured against infestation of head lice., primarily the head. Neglect of hygiene has nothing to do with it. – lice from all heads are more likely to choose the one, which is often washed, where the skin is clean and easier to bite through.

There is an opinion, that you can get head lice suddenly, eg, from the stress experienced. This is not true! The fact of infection always takes place. Although there is an indirect connection between these phenomena: under stress, the body's defenses are depleted, in addition, there is information about, that stress "smells", and lice are good at smelling.

Lice survive in water, they crawl well (a louse crawls in a minute 30-35 see on the ground and up 1 m on a vertical surface), however, they do not know how to jump and fly. Therefore, infection occurs only through close contact. (hair touch) with already infected people (live transmission), and also when exchanging caps, scarf, linen, etc. (indirect transmission) due to the presence of claws on the paws of lice and a well-developed clinging reflex. This important biological device allows you to stay on the hair., clothing and in contact with another owner, hold on to it.

The problem of head lice can affect any of us or our friends and you need to talk about it without hesitation.

Cloth pediculosis: signs, rehabilitation and prevention

Caused by body lice, the most dangerous in epidemiological terms, since they are carriers of pathogens of typhus and relapsing fever. The body louse is the largest, with body length up to 5 mm in females, feeds on 2-3 once a day, saturates for 3-10 minutes. Lays about daily 10 eggs, average life expectancy 1,5 months. The body louse prefers warmer places, does not like light and therefore lives in the folds of linen and dresses, especially in the seams. With a large number of lice can be found on the surface of clothing., bed, furniture and even on the floor. At low temperatures, can live without a person (starve) up to 2 weeks. In clothes that are periodically removed and put on, the development of lice can take up to 6 weeks, whereas in non-removable linen - 7-10 days.

reference: The causative agent of typhus is Rickettsia Provacheka - an intracellular parasite. It passes from a sick person with blood to the body of a louse, accumulates in the cells of her intestines, then tears them apart and re-enters the intestines. When the louse sucks blood, its intestines are filled and at the same time its previous contents are removed - this is how rickettsiae get on the surface of human skin. Feeling itchy, a man combing the site of a lice bite, and the causative agent of the disease enters the body through an abrasion. Rickettsiae release toxins in their blood, killing vascular endothelial cells. As a result, blood flow slows down., blood clots form, there is a blockage of blood vessels, microcirculation of blood is disturbed. Previously, when they didn't know antibiotics, typhus often ended in death.

Signs of infection - itching and multiple scratching on the skin of the trunk: more often on the stomach, shoulder blades, lower back, thighs, nape.

A very significant contingent in terms of wardrobe pediculosis – socially maladjusted citizens of no fixed abode (BOMJ) and other categories of citizens, the way and living conditions of which make them permanent carriers of this type of head lice.

Rehabilitation: For clothes lice, complete sanitization is necessary., including washing of people affected by clothes lice and chamber disinfection of their personal belongings and bedding in a preventive disinfection center or in a healthcare organization.

Head lice: signs, rehabilitation and prevention

Caused by head lice. The head louse is a small insect up to 3 mm in length (females). Lives and reproduces in the scalp, preferably on the temples, occiput and crown. It feeds on blood every 2-3 o'clock, piercing the scalp with your proboscis. Grayish-blue marks remain at the puncture site, which then begin to "itch" due to the enzyme, which injects lice into the wounds. This enzyme is necessary for an insect, to keep the blood from clotting, and causes local irritation. On the day, the female lays about 7 eggs. You may not see the louse itself – she is very mobile. But nits can be spotted easily. Nits are small transparent "beads", lice eggs. They are tightly attached to the hair closer to the root.. The nits themselves are not particularly harmful., Besides, that later new insects will appear from them. The louse does not tolerate hunger, can live without a person 1-2 days. Life expectancy on average 1 month. Development cycle 5-9 days. Head lice is widely spread in children's groups. The most significant contingent of the population is organized children aged 7-14 years old. During this period, children are socially active., are friends, attend various circles and sections, play closely. Moreover, they are getting out of the constant supervision of their parents regarding the rules of personal hygiene and at the same time they do not yet have sufficient experience, and perseverance in self-adherence to these rules.

Signs of infection: constant itching and scratching of the scalp, the child "chuhs" his head. Characteristic reddish spots appear on the skin of the back of the head.

Rehabilitation: For head lice, partial sanitization is necessary., including the treatment of the scalp with special preparations (pediculicides), which are freely purchased in the pharmacy network, change of bed linen with subsequent washing and ironing and change of headdress for the child. Processing can be done on your own at home.

Pubic lice: signs, rehabilitation and prevention

Caused by pubic lice. Pubic louse or flat (flat body, like a shield) - the smallest louse, body length up to 1,5 mm. Lives and reproduces on short pubic hairs, eyebrows and eyelashes. The bloodsucking is almost continuous. Low fertility, lays about 1-2 eggs (rot), live on average about a month. Without a person can live (starve) no more 10 – 12 hours. Can get infected as adults, so do children of the first years of life through their parents' bed. With a significant number, insects can spread over the entire lower part of the body., especially on the stomach, sometimes in the folds of the neck, and in children of the first years of life on the eyelashes and eyebrows.

Rehabilitation: With pubic lice, partial sanitization is carried out. But first, you need to contact a specialist in the dermatovenous dispensary to clarify the diagnosis and receive recommendations on how to carry it out on your own at home..