Pediculosis is a parasitic disease (infestation of the skin by lice), contagious and unpleasant because of pruritus qu'occasionnent biting lice, but benign.
It is considered a common disease and especially in endemic communities of children, and can sometimes grow in epidemic. The head lice knows a worldwide distribution independent of climate while body lice affects people extremely precarious.
Infestations are most common in children, but adults can also get lice.
There are three types of pediculosis. This adult ". This is the vector species of Borrelia relapsing louse, typhus and trench fever (Bartonella) or by crushing his droppings.
Better safe than sorry.
Unlike fleas, lice do not jump. They do not fly either. They do not move (approximately 25 cm / minute, or 15 m / h) by crawling or via infested clothing or hair. Avoid direct contact greatly reduces the risk of spread. So it is best to report on his family and at school for lice to limit contacts, especially between hair.
It seems that the contagion from brushes and clothing is not the main vector. Indeed P. capitis can not survive long outside the scalp. He died four hours after dehydrated in dry air and sun, and after 36 hours (if the air is moist and warm). We did not evidence of contagion by the water (swimming pools).
To prevent the emergence and spread of lice resistant to one or more insecticides, and unnecessary irritation of the scalp, avoid all unnecessary chemical treatment and be certain of the presence of lice or live nits. Especially since the pesticides used against lice are not trivial, or child, or the environment (high persistence and toxicity of Lindane is banned for most of its ancient customs and dérogatoirement allowed against lice / toxicity of malathion, permethrin, methoprene, D-Phénotrine even pyrethrum or synthetic pyrethroids for the environment. These products used extensively in a town or district at the time of epidemics of pediculosis, can also contaminate sewage, sewage sludge, etc.. Via the shampoo rinses). In poor countries, the rinsing is often outside on the ground. Finally, insecticides are not used in prevention because of the lack of residual activity demonstrated.
Against lice involves three parallel approaches. Shampoos and powders are less effective according to experts interviewed by the French Ministry of Health. A non-insecticidal shampoo treatment should follow to clean the hair and scalp.
The products most commonly used today are based on dimethicone, pyrethrin or malathion, the latter being recommended for children under 2 years or for pregnant women. In all cases, control after 2 days and 12 days is required to verify that there is no re-infestation, and treatment should be repeated a week later to stop the reproduction cycle of lice.
New products based on dimethicone appeared on the European market a few years ago. Dimethicone, this completely non-toxic substance to humans and the environment, smothers the lice by clogging their gill covers breathing and they die from suffocation and dehydration. Head lice do not develop resistance to this type of product. There are also products combining essential oils with anti-parasitic and dimethicone, removing lice and nits, but always without synthetic insecticide.
To recall the louse does not jump. He moves rapidly from one head to another during close contact. However, clothing, pillows, sheets, caps, blanket, scarf, lint brushes and can be decontaminated by washing machine at 60 ° C. If not spray an insecticide or put in a freezer at -25 ° and -30 ° C in plastic bag for at least 1 day. Lice do not survive.
Recent methods of delousing using electric combs to kill adults and eggs are. But we must, in addition to a third party available with good views, plenty of time (several sessions are needed) and thoroughness. These combs are unsuitable for frizzy hair. They have not done so either be a good level of clinical evaluation of evidence.
By contrast, in countries where shampoos and other treatments are too expensive, oil or shea butter are widely traded in the hair. Lice breathe through holes that can close under water, saving them from drowning, even after several minutes. But they are suffocated by oils and fats. However, eggs are resistant to such treatment. It must be renewed eight days later to kill lice newborns.
Pubic lice (pubic Phtirius) always avoid the scalp. Dusting the Aphtiria *, powder 4% lindane in talc, are very effective. Note that full shaving the pubic area (and possibly the roots of the thighs and lower abdomen if necessary) is also.
The presence of lice is often associated with promiscuity. Outbreaks are most common in times of war and civil war among the soldiers and refugees. Pediculosis is common in schools and summer camps, especially during the school year and in 6-8 years.
The fight against poverty and access to means of hygiene is a prerequisite even more important as lice appear to be gradually adapt to various insecticides. Lindane is still used very persistent, toxic and it passes easily through the scalp very fine young children. The scalp hair is sometimes the only way to overcome interference.
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