LICE

INTRODUCTION
SMALL WINGLESS ECTOPARASITES OF
MAMMALS AND BIRDS
3 TYPES OF LICE INFECT MAN :-
1. HEAD LOUSE(PEDICULUS CAPITIS)

2. BODY LOUSE(PEDICULUS CORPORIS)

3. PUBIC LOUSE(PHTHIRUS PUBIS)

Found in cold climate & low hygiene areas
 HEAD AND BODY LOUSE
 HEAD LICE PRESENT IN THE SCALP
 BODY LICE SEEN ON SEAMS OF
CLOTHING AND ON BODIES OF
HOSTS
 BODY IS FLATTENED & HAS 3 PARTS
1)HEAD
2)THORAX
3)ABDOMEN
 HEAD :- IS POINTED AND BEARS A PAIR OF 5
JOINTED ANTENNAE

 THORAX :- FUSED MASS,SQUARE SHAPED

AND 3 PAIRS OF LEGS ARE ATTATCHED
VENTRALLY WITH CLAWS

 ABDOMEN :- ELONGATED, 9 SEGMENTS

PRESENT
 LIFE HISTORY

 3 STAGES
a) EGG(NITS)
b) LARVA(NYMPH)
c) ADULT
 EGG :- are laid in groups, attached
to hair by a cementing substance.
 White & Ovoid shaped.
 A female lays upto 300 eggs at the
rate of 4 to 9 per day.
 Eggs hatch in 6 to 9 days in
favourable temp.
 Eggs will not hatch if temp is below
22deg.
LARVA :- Feeds on the host and
develops into a adult after 3
moults.
larval stage – 10 to 15 days

ADULT :- The entire life cycle takes

abt 15 to 17 days and adult lice
live for 30 to 50 days.
 MODE OF TRANSMISSION
 1) DIRECT CONTACT :- Lice are
spread by close contact with
infested persons. Seen in
overcrowded places, schools
 2) INDIRECT CONTACT :- Lice also
acquired from clothing, bedding and
brushes of infested persons.
 Lice leaves the host if the body temp
rises above or below normal!!
 LICE AND DISEASE
DISEASE CAUSATIVE AGENT
a) Epidemic typhus Rickettsia prowazeki

b) Relapsing fever Borrelia recurrentis

c) Trench fever Rickettsia quintana

d) Dermatitis Due to scratching and

secondary infection.
 CONTROL OF LICE

1)INSECTICIDES :- Most popular

method.
a) Head and crab lice :- lotion
containing 0.5% Malathion, lotion
should be left for 12 to 24 hrs before
wash.
b) body lice :- powder containing 1%
malathion is the Rx of choice. (mass
delousing)
2)PERSONAL HYGIENE :-
> daily bath with soap and water is essential.
> women with long hair should wash and
clean their hair frequently.
> Clothing, towels and sheets should be
washed in hot water and soap and presses in
iron.
> Autoclaving of clothes and
bedding in steam sterilizers.

> Improvement of personal

hygiene.

> Improving living standards &

health education.