Pediculosis: treatment of the cause, prevention

Pediculosis (lice) is a parasitic disease that occurs with the lesions of the hairy areas of the body. Dispatched with close interaction with a sick person. The causative agent of pediculosis is a louse. There are several of their varieties: dressing, pubic and head. They differ in the way they are transmitted and localized. Pediculosis, whose treatment is long and complex, is associated with unsanitary conditions, worsening social and living conditions. Climate alleviation and poor population awareness also contribute to the rapid spread of the disease. Very quickly it spreads in collectives consisting of children.

Types of lice

The head louse, mainly, is localized in the scalp. Transmission of the pathogen occurs when the combined use of headdresses and combs. The people who have long hair are the most susceptible to this disease. Settling at the base of the scalp, lice begin to feed on blood, injecting their saliva into the bite. As a result, a local inflammatory reaction develops, a diverse bacterial infection is rapidly developing. As a rule, at the initial stages, the pathology proceeds asymptomatically. As the parasite multiplies, patients complain of intense itching. The scalp is covered with a yellow crust, the roots of the hair become inflamed. Possible increase in local lymph nodes. The most obvious signs of the disease are manifested in the nape of the neck, behind the folds and temples. In the process of reproduction, female lice lay eggs - nits. They are at the base of the hair and have the appearance of small teardrop formations of grayish-pearl color. Finding nits is a confirmation of the diagnosis of pediculosis. Treatment should begin immediately.

Pubic lice settle at the base of pubic hair, on the upper part of the thighs and scrotum. Infection can occur during sexual intercourse and the joint use of bed linen, towels. Severe cases of the disease are characterized by the spread of lice to the armpit, eyelashes, eyebrows and beard. A characteristic feature of this kind of pediculosis is the appearance of small grayish-blue spots and severe itching of the skin. The small size of lice makes it difficult to diagnose. The parasite can be detected by careful examination at the roots of the hair. In this case, a person for a long time can not guess that he has pediculosis. Treatment can last for a considerable period of time.

The louse is less common than the head and pubic. Parasitizes on seams of clothes, folds and bed-clothes. As a rule, the louse is in the places of close fitting of clothes to the surface of the skin. The louse is bigger than the head louse . On the skin after bites, there are characteristic blisters and swelling. Combs on the skin contribute to the occurrence of a secondary infection. The complicated pediculosis is formed, treatment in this case, requires the appointment of antibacterial agents.

Diagnosis, treatment and, of course, prevention

Diagnosis of pediculosis is based on external examination of the patient. Confirmation of the diagnosis is the detection of nits and characteristic rashes on the surface of the skin. The folds of underwear are subject to inspection.

After the diagnosis, the doctor decides how to treat pediculosis. The most common use of complex therapy. Drug therapy includes the use of ointments and shampoos with anti-parasitic components. These include the gel "Lindan" and the spray "Para-Plus."

In the case of pubic lice, both sex partners are treated. Prevention of pediculosis is a daily change of clothes. Old clothes are subject to mandatory boiling. In some cases, it is even recommended to burn it.