What is pediculosis corporis?

Pediculosis corporis is a skin condition caused by body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis) that feed on human blood. These lice lay their eggs in the seams of clothing and bedding while moving to human skin to feed.

What is pediculosis capitis caused by?

Pediculosis capitis is a common condition caused by infestation of the hair and scalp by Pediculus humanus capitis (the head louse), one of three distinct varieties of lice specifically parasitic for humans (figure 1) [1].

What are the 3 types of pediculosis?

The 3 major lice that infest humans are Pediculus humanus capitis (head louse), Pthirus pubis (crab louse), and Pediculus humanus humanus (body louse).

Why are there 3 types of lice?

We’ve got three different kinds of lice because, unlike our closest relatives, we aren’t covered head-to-toe in a furry coat. Each louse species is adapted to its particular niche in our body; by working out their evolutionary history, we can learn something about when those niches appeared.

Is pediculosis a virus?

Pediculosis is an infestation of the hairy parts of the body or clothing with the eggs, larvae or adults of lice. The crawling stages of this insect feed on human blood, which can result in severe itching. Head lice are usually located on the scalp, crab lice in the pubic area and body lice along seams of clothing.

How is pediculosis diagnosis?

The diagnosis of pediculosis is best made by finding a live nymph or adult louse on the scalp or in the hair of a person. Finding numerous nits within 6 mm of the scalp is highly suggestive of active infestation. Finding nits only more than 6 mm from the scalp is only indicative of previous infestation.

How do you treat pediculosis?

Medicated shampoos or cream rinses containing pyrethrins or permethrin are preferred for treating people with head lice. Products containing pyrethrins, permethrin or malathion are available over-the-counter, but those containing lindane or malathion are available only through a physician’s prescription.

How can pediculosis be diagnosed?

Is Pediculosis a parasite?

Pediculosis capitis is a ubiquitous parasitic skin disease caused by Pediculus humanus capitis. Head lice are highly specialised parasites which can propagate only on human scalp and hair. Transmission occurs by direct head-to-head contact. Head lice are vectors of important bacterial pathogens.

What causes Pediculus humanus var.capitis infestation?

Pediculus humanus var. capitis is responsible for causing Pediculosis Capitis infestation. Pediculus humanus var. capitis suck blood on the scalp of your head. It spreads through head to head contact, combs, hair brushes, hats and clothing. Body louse or Pediculosis Corpori s infection is caused by Pediculus humanus var. corporis.

What kind of disease does pediculosis corporis cause?

P. humanus humanus is the cause of pediculosis corporis. Body lice transmit three diseases: louse-borne relapsing fever, epidemic typhus, and trench fever. R. prowazekii, the organism of epidemic typhus, has been isolated from body lice in Burundi, France, Peru, Russia, and Zimbabwe2; Russia3 and Burundi4 have both documented outbreaks.

Is the pediculosis a head or body louse?

Pediculosis is infestation with the human head-and-body louse, Pediculus humanus. There are two subspecies, the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) and the body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus). They are ectoparasites whose only known hosts are humans.