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The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) is an obligate ectoparasite of humans. [1] Head lice are wingless insects that spend their entire lives on the human scalp and feed exclusively on human blood. [1] Humans are the only known hosts of this specific parasite, while chimpanzees and bonobos host a closely related species, Pediculus schaeffi.
Pediculosis pubis (also known as "crabs" and "pubic lice") is an infestation by the pubic louse, Pthirus pubis, a wingless insect which feeds on blood and lays its eggs (nits) on mainly pubic hair. Less commonly, hair near the anus, armpit, beard, eyebrows, moustache, and eyelashes may be involved.
The following other wikis use this file: Usage on ca.wikipedia.org Poll del cap; Usage on de.wikipedia.org Kopflaus; Usage on es.wikipedia.org Pediculus humanus capitis
Head lice are spread through direct head-to-head contact with an infested person. From each egg or "nit" may hatch one nymph that will grow and develop to the adult louse. Lice feed on blood once or more often each day by piercing the skin with their tiny needle-like mouthparts.
Female H. suis lay 3–6 eggs per day following a blood meal and mating, eventually laying about 90 eggs. The amber eggs are deposited on the lower half of the swine's side, or the neck, shoulders, flanks, or on the back of the ears. Lice eggs are commonly referred to as "nits". [Note 1] These nits have small holes for gas exchange, called ...
Head lice infestation, also known as pediculosis capitis, is the infection of the head hair and scalp by the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis). [6] Itching from lice bites is common. [ 5 ] During a person's first infection, the itch may not develop for up to six weeks. [ 5 ]
Females typically lay 150–300 eggs over an interval of 2–3 weeks. The eggs, commonly known as nits, are oblong and around 1 mm long. The eggs are glued to the hairs or feathers of the host with a secretion from the female accessory glands. The eggs typically hatch several days or up to three weeks from the time they are laid.
A temperature of 130 °F (54 °C) for 5 minutes will kill most of the adults and prevent eggs from hatching. [7] Leaving the clothes unwashed, but unworn for a full week, also results in the death of lice and eggs. [5] Where this is not practical or possible, powder dusting with 10% DDT, 1% malathion or 1% permethrin is also effective. [5]