ABSTRACT
Phthirus pubis usually infests the pubis, groin, buttocks and perianal region. It can sometimes infest the thighs, abdomen, chest, axillae and beard. Eyelashes and eyebrows may be involved in children. The involvement of the scalp is very rare. We describe a case of P. pubis infestation located exclusively on the scalp in an adult woman. Neither lice/nits nor skin lesions were observed elsewhere, including eyebrows, eyelashes, axillae, pubis, buttocks and perianal region (the patient was hairless in the axillae and pubis). A review of the literature is enclosed.
Subject(s)
Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Abdomen , Axilla , Buttocks , Eyebrows , Eyelashes , Groin , Phthirus , Pubic Bone , Scalp , Skin , Thigh , ThoraxABSTRACT
A 70-year-old woman came to ophthalmology outpatient department with complaints of repeated episodes of itching, redness and watering in both eyes of 3 months duration. She was treated with antibiotics elsewhere but had no improvement. Slit lamp examination showed lice and nits anchored to the eyelashes. Light microscopic examination of the matted eye lashes and crusts further helped in identification of the ectoparasites as Phthirus pubis (Pubic louse or Crab louse) with typical morphology.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The authors of the present study report a case of phthiriasis palpebrarum treated with petrolatum ointment and tea tree oil in a 12-month-old boy. CASE SUMMARY: A bluish-gray macule and blood clots were found on the central portion of the upper eyelid of a boy who had rubbed his eyelid vigorously 1 week prior. Several 0.5 mm sized brownish-gray nits and 1.6 mm sized lice on the eyelashes were visible and was diagnosed with phthiriasis palpebrarum after light microscopic examination. The nits and lice were gently removed mechanically with the help of a white petrolatum ointment (Vaseline) and the eyelashes were cleaned with 50% tea tree oil. Nits and lice were successfully eradicated without recurrence 10 days after daily treatment with petrolatum ointment and 10% tea tree oil eyelash cleansing.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Infant , Eyelashes , Eyelids , Light , Pediculus , Petrolatum , Phthiraptera , Recurrence , Tea , Tea Tree OilABSTRACT
Phthiriasis is a sexually transmitted disease by Phthirus pubis(pubic or crab louse) and usually affect the pubis in adult. Infestation of the eyelashes and scalp occurs rarely and mainly in children. In children, infestation may be transmitted by close contact with infected family, infected towel or other materials, or rarely by sexual abuse. So, careful examination is needed to find out familial source. We report a case of phthiriasis occuring on the scalp of a 16 month-old child whose mother has phthiriasis on the pubis and both axilla.
Subject(s)
Adult , Child , Humans , Infant , Axilla , Eyelashes , Mothers , Phthirus , Scalp , Sex Offenses , Sexually Transmitted DiseasesABSTRACT
The majority of the crab louse is found in pubic hairs, but some of them will colonize axillary hairs, eyelashes, eyebrows and occasionally scalp hairs. In children crab louse may colonize the eyelashes and scalp hairs. The authors found a crab louse, Phthirus pubis and their nits on the eyelashes and scalp hiars of 25-months-old female who complained of foreign body and itching sensation of her right upper lid. Treatment is accomplished by careful mechanical removal of the louse and nits followed by the epilation and application of antibiotic eyedrops or ointments. We report a case of Phthiriasis palpebrarum in children.
Subject(s)
Child , Female , Humans , Colon , Eyebrows , Eyelashes , Foreign Bodies , Hair , Hair Removal , Ointments , Ophthalmic Solutions , Pediculus , Phthiraptera , Phthirus , Pruritus , Scalp , SensationABSTRACT
Phthiriasis has been usually known as a sexually-transmitted disease. The majority of these cases are found in the hair of the genital lesion, however, infestation of the eyelashed may occur. Eyeld involvement frequently causes blepharitis or conjunctivitis. The authors found a crab louse, Phthirus pubis and their nits on the eyelashes of 22-year-old female who complained foreign body and itching sensation of her right upper lid. Treatment is accomplished by careful mechanical removal of the louse and nits followed by the epilation and alllication of antibiotic eyedrops. We report a case of Phthiriasis palpebrarum with a review of the literatures.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Young Adult , Blepharitis , Conjunctivitis , Eyelashes , Foreign Bodies , Hair , Hair Removal , Ophthalmic Solutions , Pediculus , Phthiraptera , Phthirus , Pruritus , SensationABSTRACT
By light and scanning electron microscopy, the morphologies of Korean pubic louse(Phthirus pubis) were described and measured. Especially, electron microscopic structures of palpus, tuft organ, sensilla basiconicum and palpal lobe were reviewed in detail. The variations were obserbed in the number of dorsal setae and the setae of membranous processes of abdomen. And also, the importance of public health and epidemiological aspects was discussed.