Pediculosis head lice infestation disease fact sheet series what is pediculosis head lice. Pdf worldwide prevalence of head lice researchgate. Malathion is pediculicidal kills live lice and partially ovicidal kills some lice eggs. Additional resources for head lice, and pediculosis.
Head lice do not spread any diseases, but itching can develop in. Skip directly to site content skip directly to page options skip directly to az link. Head lice infestation, or pediculosis, is spread most commonly by close persontoperson contact. Information for schoools regarding head lice, head lice infestation, and pediculosis. Actual size of the three lice forms compared to a penny photo credit. Education and information about lice, head lice, body lice, and pubic lice, crabs, information for parents, information for schools, lice treatments, lice diagnosis, and lice prevention information. Head lice are small insects that live in peoples hair and feed on their blood. The formulation of malathion approved in the united states for the treatment of head lice is a lotion that is safe and effective when used as directed. Pediculosis head lice infestation disease fact sheet. Pediculosis is an infestation of head lice on the hair of the head.
Every year in the united states, 6 to 12 million schoolaged children get head lice. Head lice can affect anyone, and are most common in the 311 year old age group. Cdc lice head lice general information treatment faqs. However, much less frequently they are spread by sharing clothing or belongings onto which lice have crawled or nits attached to shed hairs may have fallen. If your child is in school or attends child care you will probably receive a note at some point reporting a case of head lice in your childs classroom. Head lice management guidelines page 2 of 20 introduction head lice are common, especially among children between the ages of 3 to 12. Head lice are a common problem and concern among many parents. Lice occurs in 6 million to 12 million school kids every year. Head lice infestation, pediculosis capitis, remains a publichealth burden in many countries. The widely used firstline pediculicides and alternative treatments are often too costly for use in. If you or your child has lice, you want a treatment that works fast. Cdc does not have clear scientific evidence to determine if suffocation of head lice with mayonnaise, olive oil, margarine, butter, or similar substances is an effective form of treatment.
With many geographical locations in the us having lice that. Anyone may become infested with head lice, regardless of age, sex, race, or standards of personal. The lice feed on human blood that can cause severe local itching. Pdf head lice infestation is a very common problem in children and causes a high level of anxiety among parents and childcare. Nits are firmly attached to the hair shaft and are ovalshaped and very small about the size of a knot in. Head lice are spread most commonly by direct head to head hairtohair contact.
Malathion is an underrecognized and underutilized therapy for head lice and scabies largely due to misperceptions about its safety profile. Head lice manual department of public health georgia. Information for schools regarding head lice, head lice infestation, and pediculosis. The purpose of this manual is to provide schools, local health departments, healthcare facilities. This manual covers the public health importance, biology, and control of these lice. Head lice infest the head and neck and attach their eggs to the base of the hair shaft. The centers for disease control and prevention cdc cannot attest to the accuracy of a nonfederal website. Web accessibility certification sitemap feedback download pdf viewer. Lice glue their eggs also known as nits to hair so they cannot be brushed or shaken off easily. A second treatment is recommended if live lice still are present 79 days after treatment. Head lice also known as head louse are small insects that live in peoples hair and feed on their blood. Vector control technician certification program cdc division of.
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