Lice Information From a Pediatrician (conclusion)
headlice June 11th, 2008
Dr. John Hong, a pediatrician from Charlottesville, Virginia, wrote an article about head lice and other pests. This is the conclusion of the article, posted with permission from the author:
continued from
Lice Information From a Pediatrician [part 1]
and Lice Information From a Pediatrician (Continued) [part 2]
But like the nasty bed bugs haunting hotels, lice have become more resistant to topical medicines. So oral medications are sometimes needed, like ivermectin (Stromectol) or adding Bactrim to permethrin.
In South Pacific, Nellie says, "I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair…" and that applies to [head lice] too. Sheets, carpet, couches, towels, clothes, hats– all need to be cleaned to prevent recontamination and contaminating other household members.
Body lice occur more in folks who are homeless or have poor hygiene. The lice live in clothing (in particular, seams) and then feed on the body-– in particular, the armpits and waist where the seams of the clothes are.
Pediculosis pubis is usually sexually transmitted– the creatures look like tiny translucent crabs, without the Old Bay seasoning. An adult female is 2-3mm long, lives about a month, and lays three eggs a day. The nits and lice hang out in the pubic region, but can go to the armpits and even eyelashes. Lice poop looks like brown dots on the skin, and little bruises can form from louse bites.
Lice are pretty horrible. I wonder if Andrew Zimmern, of Bizarre Foods, would ever eat them. Just make sure, if you eat dinner with him, that if he serves you fried rice, it isn't flied lice.
© Dr. John Hong, Inc
"Dr. Hook cracks a joke or two, but he's a renowned physician with a local practice." - THE HOOK, website on which Dr. Hong's article was originally published.
bed bugs lice nits pediculosis pubic lice removal of lice