pediculosis

pediculosis /pe·dic·u·lo·sis/ (pĕ-dik″u-lo´sis) infestation with lice of the family Pediculidae, especially Pediculus humanus.

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pe·dic·u·lo·sis (p-dky-lss)

n.

The state of being infested with lice.

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pe·dicu·lous (-ls) adj.

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Pediculosis (plural, pediculoses)

The medical term for infestation with lice.

Mentioned in: Lice Infestation

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pediculosis

[pədik′yoo͡lō′sis]

Etymology: L, pediculus + osis, condition

an infestation with blood-sucking lice. Pediculosis capitis is infestation of the scalp with lice. Pediculosis corporis is infestation of the skin of the body with lice. Pediculosis palpebrarum is infestation of the eyelids and eyelashes with lice. Pthirus pubis (formerly called pediculosis pubis) is infestation of the pubic hair region with lice. An over-the-counter treatment is pyrethrin or permethrin containing topical agents. Malathion and lindane are other treatments, although misuse can result in neurotoxicity. See also crab louse, lice.

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pediculosis [pĕ-dik″u-lo´sis]

infestation with lice (see louse). Lice live on the host's blood, obtained by piercing the skin and sucking the blood through the mouth part. The area bitten itches and may become sore and infected from scratching. Not only are lice an annoyance, but they also transmit some diseases, such as typhus.

Treatment. Head lice hatch eggs in silvery oval-shaped envelopes that attach to the shafts of the hairs. The eggs, called nits, can be removed with some difficulty by combing with a very fine-toothed comb. The lice and nits are effectively killed by applications of 1 per cent gamma benzene hexachloride (Kwell) in a cream or shampoo, lindane, permethrin cream or rinse, or pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide liquid, gel, or shampoo.

pediculosis pu´bis infestation with lice of the species Phthirus pubis, the crab louse, usually limited to the pubic hairs but sometimes involving other hairy areas such as the eyelashes, eyebrows, or axillae. It is usually transmitted sexually but may be contracted from bedding and clothing. On the body, it can be treated with a special cream, lotion, or shampoo, such as Kwell, twice daily for two weeks. If the eyelashes are involved, a thick layer of petrolatum should be applied. Called also crabs and phthiriasis.

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pediculosis

louse infestation.

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pediculosis

Infestation with lice. See Louse.