Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PEDICULOSIS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Pediculosis prevention and control strategies of community health and school nurses: a descriptive study.

Pediculus humanus capitis (pediculosis capitis) affects several million school children in the United States every year and is more prevalent among children than all other childhood communicable diseases combined. Traditional treatment of pediculosis involves the direct application of pesticides to the scalp of infested individuals. Yet, a single-treatment, 100% ovicidal pediculicide has not been developed. Head lice can be easily detected by an educated screener. The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) recommends regular screenings to control lice outbreaks in school settings. Screening is utilized as a prevention strategy to facilitate early detection and minimize exposure to potentially toxic chemicals. Nurses working with children in the country's schools are in key positions to develop, initiate, and incorporate prevention and control strategies into their child healthcare agenda. An NPA national survey identified specific lice management strategies used by community health nurses (CHNs) and school nurses working in school systems. The purpose of this article is to report the prevention and control strategies used by the nurses. Results of this national survey indicated significant variation in management strategies. A national standardized approach toward prevention and control is not being utilized.

Child↗

Prevalence of pediculosis and scabies in preschool nursery children of Afyon, Turkey.

Scabies and pediculosis are ubiquitous, contagious, and debilitating parasitic dermatoses. The tendency of high prevalence of pediculosis and scabies among school and preschool age children has prompted us to conduct a head louse and scabies prevalence survey among preschool nursery children in our district. A school-based, crosssectional study was performed, with 1,134 children chosen for evaluation. All cases were evaluated by physical examination and a detailed, structured questionnaire. The infestation was found in 14 (1.2%) of 1,134 children; 9 (0.8%) with pediculosis capitis and 5 (0.4%) with scabies. We found that infestations were more frequent in children with mothers whose education levels were low. This indicates the necessity of an improvement in the economic and sociocultural status of the community and the promotion of hygiene concepts and practices in order to improve health of preschool age children.

Animals↗

Treatment of pediculosis capitis infested children with 1% permethrin shampoo in Turkey.

Pediculosis capitis (head lice) is an infestation that affects many children. Although, there are a number of different treatment modalities, at the present study, we investigated the efficacy of permethrin in the treatment of pediculosis capitis in children. This study was carried out in 3 village primary schools in the Kayseri region involving 185 of 712 school children infested with Pediculus humanus capitis during a survey conducted in March 2001. It was found that 173 (97.29%) of the 178 students who applied the prescribed medications were cured, indicating that interestingly 1% permethrin shampoo (Kwellada) is an effective and safe treatment choice for pediculosis capitis.

Adolescent↗

Dispelling the common myths about pediculosis.

Pediculosis, the condition of being infested by head lice, is a major community health problem in the United States. Head lice, the most common species in humans, occupy considerable amounts of time and energy both within schools and the medical community. The condition creates school and family disturbances and personal embarrassment--consequences far exceeding its medical effects. Because parents are often embarrassed when they are informed about a head lice infestation, they often do not approach the subject with their health care providers. Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) need to incorporate education relating the diagnosis and management of pediculosis in the well child visit. PNPs can dispel the common myths that have existed for so long to help open communication with parents and children to promote safe and proper treatment. Early detection is vital in preventing epidemics.

Child↗

Pediculosis capitis.

Pediculosis capitis is a worldwide public health concern. Infestation occurs most commonly in children, with a peak incidence between 5 to 11 years of age. The condition is more common in girls and less common in Black children. Direct head-to-head contact is the most common mode of transmission. Pruritus is the most common symptom of infestation. The gold standard for diagnosing pediculosis capitis is finding a live louse or nymph in the scalp or viable egg in the scalp hair. Pediculicides are the most effective treatment. All household members and close contacts should be examined and treated concurrently if infested. The child should be allowed to return to school or to a child care facility after proper treatment. The child should be discouraged from close, direct head contact with others or from sharing items that have come in contact with the hair.

Animals↗

Treatment of scabies and pediculosis with lindane preparations: an evaluation.

Risks and benefits involved in the use of lindane preparations for the treatment of scabies and head louse infestations are evaluated. Although lindane per si is moderately toxic, capable of inducing neurotoxic and hemotoxic effects, there is little evidence that the preparations used in the treatment of scabies and pediculosis give rise to toxic symptoms when applied according to directions. Current evidence does not support the view that lindane is intrinsically carcinogenic, although very high doses have induced hepatomas in mice. It is concluded that the benefits obtained in the use of lindane as a scabicide and pediculicide outweigh risks involved in its use for these purposes. Comparison with other preparations available for the control of scabies and pediculosis indicate that lindane is probably the most effective scabicide, although it also shows the greatest toxic potential. Malathion and pyrethrin preparations seem equally effective against head lice. Suggestions for even safer use of lindane are discussed.

Animals↗

Pediculosis capitis in Istanbul.

BACKGROUND: Pediculosis capitis is a worldwide problem. We studied the prevalence of this infestation in Istanbul. METHODS: We reviewed the records of the Dermatology Clinic of Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty from a 20-year period (1970-1989). RESULTS: The number of cases of pediculosis capitis have gradually increased over this period, with a peak in 1981. Women are more involved than men. There has been a significant increase in cases in children of school and pre-school ages. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors may have contributed to this increase: poor hygiene and socioeconomic conditions, lack of medical training, and probably some resistance to pediculicide preparations in the lice. The stigma attached to the disease may prevent people from coming forward.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of pediculosis capitis with thiabendazole: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the improvement of health standards, head lice infestation remains a problem worldwide. In addition, there is increasing evidence that head lice are becoming resistant to common pediculocides. AIM: To test the potential effectiveness of thiabendazole, a potent and broad-spectrum antiparasitic and scabicidal agent, for the treatment of pediculosis capitis. METHODS: Twenty-three female patients, aged 7-12 years, who had active head lice infestation, were treated with oral thiabendazole, 20 mg/kg twice daily for 1 day, with repeat treatment after 10 days. RESULTS: On the 11th day, meticulous hair examination showed that 21 patients had responded to treatment [91%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 71-98%], with 14 showing complete responsiveness (61%; 95% CI, 40-78%). The only adverse reactions observed were nausea and mild dizziness, which occurred in four patients, three of whom took the drug on an empty stomach. CONCLUSIONS: Thiabendazole may be a promising treatment for head lice infestation. The primary action of this drug seems to be the inhibition of parasite microtubule polymerization by binding to beta-tubulin. In addition, thiabendazole may interfere with the synaptic transmission of lice through its probable cholinergic effect. As pediculosis capitis is a very communicable disease, the unresponsiveness to thiabendazole could largely be attributed to new infestations during the drug-free interval. Therefore, massive and simultaneous rather than individual and isolated treatments should be used to achieve the epidemiologic control of this ectoparasitosis. As this is a preliminary study, the performance of double-blind, randomized controlled trials on this subject is warranted. Thiabendazole, either alone or in combination with other agents, may prove to be of particular use in areas in which head lice show resistance to common pediculocides.

Administration, Oral↗

Pediculosis and the pediatrician.

Head lice commonly evoke feelings of disgust, revulsion, anger, and shame among parents and patients. There should, however, be no great cause for such alarm if a physician suspects pediculosis capitis. The recent introduction of several new pediculicidal drugs now allows a choice among four distinct therapeutic agents, which should substantially improve control of isolated cases and epidemics. Physicians must be aware that consumer groups are pressing public health authorities and drug manufacturers to establish proper treatment standards and safety warnings for the use of these agents. In addition, some controversy surrounds the use of lindane in children. This paper reviews the epidemiology and clinical appearance of pediculosis capitis in children, with emphasis on these recent developments. Pubic lice (Phthirus pubis) and body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), both of which are much less common pediatric infestations, are mentioned only briefly.

Child↗

Pediculosis capitis among primary schoolchildren in urban and rural areas of Kwara State, Nigeria.

The prevalence of head lice (pediculosis humanus capitis) was investigated among urban and rural schoolchildren in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State, Nigeria, and two neighboring rural communities. Among the pupils, 57 (3.1%) of 1,842 urban schoolchildren examined were infested, compared with only one (0.1%) of 1.056 rural school pupils. More female pupils had infestations. Children less than age five, primary I pupils, and pupils in primary VI were not infested. Urban schoolchildren with 41-45 lice per head constituted 7.7% of those infested with nits and lice. Most infected children had one-five and 11-15 lice per head. The school health component of the national primary health care scheme should be intensified to screen schoolchildren regularly for pediculosis and other childhood diseases.

Adolescent↗

Quality improvement projects related to pediculosis management.

Concern about student absenteeism related to repeated pediculosis infestations and the consequent risk for unsuccessful school achievement led to a quality improvement program comprised of 6 projects. The goal was to identify effective nursing interventions for children and families incurring repeated infestations. One project addressed the prevalence of infestation, frequency of school exclusion, and duration of consequential lost school days. Affirmed were low contagion in classrooms and multiple social and emotional challenges in students having chronic infestations. From other projects, the importance of establishing effective relationships with parents, students, and school staff to work toward effective management outcomes was apparent. Also identified was the need to better match hair texture with the selection of a lice comb for effective mechanical removal of lice and nits. There is a need to replicate these projects with larger numbers of students in different geographic locations. It is important to have evidence-based information about the communicability and management strategies for pediculosis to contribute to sound treatment and policy formation.

Absenteeism↗

Pediculosis ciliaris.

Pediculosis ciliaris, though not as common as in the past, is still not a rare disorder. Infestation has become more prevalent among adolescents within the past few years. Severe itching, irritation, secondary conjunctivitis, and preauricular adenopathy may accompany the louse infestation. A brief review of the etiology and treatment of pediculosis ciliaris has been presented. Every physician should be aware of this disorder and be adequately prepared to treat it.

Adolescent↗

[Prophylaxis and treatment of pediculosis with Quassia amarga].

A double-blind study against placebo was done in two primary schools of the west of La Pampa, with 105 and 43 pupils respectively. The object of this work was to find out the prophylactic action of the Quassia Amarga in the pediculosis of the human scalp. The number of new infested cases in both groups turned out to be most significant according to the formula SQUARE CHI. No adverse reactions were found after the application of the respective alcoholic solutions. As a result, we conclude that: a) The prophylactic and therapeutic action of the Quassia Amarga in the human pediculosis is confirmed. b) A noticeable reduction in expenses to eradicate permanently this form of parasitation at an official as well as at a community level is of importance.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

[Current epidemiology of pediculosis capitis].

In schools of Touraine-France--usually more than 15% of the children are infected with capitis (investigation performed in 1987 and 1988). This number (rate) is rather close to the one that obtained in previous two investigations (1974 and 1981). Hence Pediculosis is not progressing. It may however be noticed that, as more and more families become aware of this problem, more and more cures are undertaken (4,656,000 units sold in 1989 versus 2,793,000 in 1984. Then it seems that the most employed pediculosides (pyrethroïds) are less efficient than a few years ago. In fact lices are becoming resistant to these drugs. 4 kinds of complementary actions are in fact necessary: information of the public about the lice biology and necessity of SIMULTANEOUS COMMUNITY cures; prevalence analysis by means of standard sample grids; coordination of all the partners: city administration, medical, paramedical and social staff, family workers, teachers, even children judges... in view of actions from the personal level up to the global one; estimate of the effectiveness of these activities. This strategy, which has been experimented in Touraine, has proved its efficiency at short and long term: we have observed a durable decrease of pediculosis the prevalence of which has diminished from 18.3% down to 5.5% in the 3 school chosen as experiment locations.

Adolescent↗

Pediculosis capitis among urban school children in Ilorin, Nigeria.

A survey of 6882 primary school children living in Ilorin, Nigeria revealed that 3.7% of the children were infested with Pediculus humanus capitis. Infestation rate among the children in the Islamic community was 4.1%, whereas in the Christian area, the infestation rate was 3%. Girls had a higher infestation rate (5.6%) than boys (2.1%). The highest infestation rate (28.4%) was observed among girls of low socioeconomic class, followed by their male counterparts (11.2%). Factors associated with the onset of pediculosis included overcrowding, long hair, family size, age, living in a sordid environment, and personal hygiene. Strategies for the effective control of pediculosis are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Scabies and pediculosis.

There has been a recent notable increase in scabies and pediculosis pubis and pediculosis capitis. Once the diagnosis is established (preferably by demonstrating the mite or louse), therapy includes consideration of a risk to benefit ratio, explanation of the nature of the infestation to the patient, application of appropriate therapeutic techniques, and follow-up procedures. Resistance of the Sarcoptes mite to modern scabicides has been suggested but not proved. Resistance of the head louse and body louse to modern pediculicides has been reported in other countries but not in the United States.

Adolescent↗

On the efficacy of Co-trimoxazole as an oral treatment for pediculosis capitis infestation.

No doubt, pediculosis capitis or Pediculus h. capitis infestation is an increasing health problem particularly among Egyptian children. Many chemical pediculocides are used with a variety of effectiveness and side effects. Meanwhile, Co-trimoxazole (Trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole) have shown some pediculocidal action. In this paper, Co-trimoxazole was given to patients infested with pediculosis capitis. Prolonged course was needed to free the patients from adult and nymphal stages but not the eggs (nits). The results were discussed. It was concluded that until the discovery of cheap, safe and effective oral drug, topical application of pediculocides as ointment or shampoo is the method of choice.

Administration, Oral↗