Info about Crabs
Lice, and Crabs
Some critter not only consider human beings to be food; they also like to call you body home. Disgusting little lice are a case in point.
There are three kinds of human lice: the body louse (pediculus humanus humanus), the head louse (pediculus humarius capitis), and the crab louse (phthirus pubis).
Lice have three stages in their life cycle: egg, nymph and adult. The egg, commonly called a “nir, may be found glued to hair or to fibers of clothing, depending on the kind of louse. The yellowish, oblong egg of the head and body louse is about .8 mm long and .3mm broad. The egg of the crab louse is slightly smaller. The nymph, similar In appearance to the adult, goes through 3 molts before reaching the adult stage. Although it depends upon the species as to where the nymph or the adult may be found (hair, clothing, etc.), all three kinds of lice will be found closely associated with humans.
Human lice are completely dependent upon human blood for sustenance.
The body louse is of concern in disease control in that it is a transmitter of three human diseases: typhus, trench fever and relapsing fever.
• Head lice
The eggs of the head louse will be found attached to the head hair. Adults and nymphs are found in the hair and on the scalp but tend to be most prevalent on the back of the neck and behind the ears. Head lice may be acquired by personal contact, by wearing infested head gear, by using infested brushes and combs or by contact with upholstered chairs. Loose hairs with eggs attached may be a source of infestation as well.
• Body lice
The eggs of the body louse will be found glued to fibers of under clothing usually near seams, or less commonly to body hairs. The nymph and adult louse spends its life in clothing except for a short time on the skin while feeding. In looking for infestations, one should examine the clothing along the seams and folds, especially on the inside of undergarments.
Normally body lice are acquired through close association with infested persons. Beds occupied every night by infested individuals can transmit the lice to others on contact. Adults may migrate to outer garments, hence to other persons. An infestation may be acquired by wearing infested garments or through personal contact.
• Crab lice
This is the most common variety encountered on university students and is of particular importance.
All three stages of the crab lice are most commonly found on the hairs of the pubic region but they may be found on the hairy regions of the chest or armpits. Infestations of the eyebrow and eyelashes have been reported.
The crab louse survives only a short time (less than 24 hours in studies) away from the human host.
Crab lice are spread chiefly by sexual contact, but can be acquired by other means such as by infested toilet seats, beds, wearing clothes of infested persons and by close personal contact.
Treatment for head, body or pubic lice, using the prescription drug Kwell.
• Shower or bathe with usual soap and shampoo and rinse off.
• Pour 1 oz. (2 tablespoons) of medicated shampoo onto the affected areas and adjacent hairy areas.
• Rub vigorously, being sure to cover all hairy areas (nipple to knees for pubic lice).
• Work into a lather for at least 4 minutes by the clock.
• Rinse hair thoroughly and rub with dry towel
• Comb hair with a fine tooth comb to remove any remaining nit shells. Repeat treatment in 24 hours and again in 10 days.
NIX is a drug available without prescription which is also very effective against lice. It is applied similarly to Kwell, but read the specific instructions which accompany the product.
• What to do with personal articles and the environment
• Machine wash all washable clothing and bed linens that have been in contact with you in the last three days (include hats, head bands, jackets with large collars or hoods). Use hot water for washing and the hot cycle of the dryer.
• Personal clothing or bedding that cannot be washed or dried may be dry cleaned or simply put in a plastic bag and sealed for 10 days. Lice cannot survive longer than that without a human host.
• Combs brushes and other hair items may be disinfected by soaking them for one hour in the medicated shampoo and hot water.
• The U.S. Public Health Secvice recommends that you simply vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture, etc. Using insecticides or fumigants on the furniture, carpets bedding etc. is not necessary.
• All indoor pets also need to be treated. They require a special shampoo, which is available from your veterinarian.
• Be sure to notify friends or family with home you have had very close contact. or with whom you have shared clothing.