What are Bits? Why and How Does Lice Occur?

The lice live and reproduce in human hair; It is a very small (1-4 mm), wingless, blood-sucking parasitic skin disease caused by gray insects that cause itching especially on the nape and behind the ears. It is more common in women compared to men. Anyone can get lice, despite proper body care and/or regular hair washing. Lice is a disease that can be treated and its prognosis is generally good. Lice is a health problem that threatens individuals in public living areas, school-age children and therefore their families.

What is Lice?

Lice is a public health problem that can be seen in every socioeconomic class around the world. . Lice are blood-sucking parasitic insect. It is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact or skin-to-skin contact with an object. Symptoms do not appear significantly for 3 to 4 weeks. Head lice are a common health problem worldwide. Lice, which is not related to age or economic conditions, is more common especially in crowded areas. Head lice are the most common parasitic infection in childhood. Head lice infestation (presence of parasites on the skin) is not related to hair length, shampooing or combing frequency. Pediculosis is more common in warmer months and areas with high humidity. The incidence is higher in women and school-aged children. It is 35 times more common in the white race than in the black race. This is due to the difference in the structure of the hair shaft. Head lice are commonly transmitted from head to head by direct contact or by common items such as brushes, combs, and hats. Body lice are usually seen in people who do not have adequate hygiene conditions or who do not have the opportunity to change their clothes regularly in cold climates. Unlike other types of lice, pubic lice are considered a sexually transmitted disease.

How Does Lice Occur?

Lice formation progresses gradually from egg to larva and from larva to adult lice. Numerous oval grayish-white egg capsules are called vinegar. moxibustion to the scalp Vinegar, left in an area, matures within 8-10 days and leads to the formation of new lice. A young louse has a 3-stage life cycle and within 9 to 11 days it completes its development and turns into adult lice. The lice formation cycle covers a period of 17 to 22 days from the egg hatching to the laying of the newly formed lice.

What are the Types of Lice?

There are 3 types of lice that cause disease in humans.

br>Head/Head Lice (Pediculus humanus capitis)Head lice is the most common type of lice that spreads across all socioeconomic barriers. Head lice are 2-4 mm in size. Head lice have a narrow sucking mouth. It has 6 legs adapted to cling to the hair in the head area. Its mobility is limited, but it can reach a speed of 23 cm/min. Has limited ability to jump and fly, usually crawling. The most common symptom is itching of the scalp. Head itch occurs due to the fact that lice leave some secretion on the scalp during blood sucking. Adult female lice, with an average lifespan of 30 days, leave about 10 lice nits every day. The nits are firmly attached to the hair of the head and usually settle in the back of the head, near the nape and behind the ears. Vinegars hatch from their eggs in 8 to 9 days in areas with ideal conditions of 30°C and 70% humidity. It matures in about 9-12 days. Vinegar cannot survive long outside the human body. However, it can survive for up to 10 days on textile products such as fabrics and blankets. Head lice can only live in these areas for 1-2 days. Head lice do not live on pets.

Body Lice (Pediculus corporis)Body lice often lay their eggs on the inside of clothes or in folded areas. It is only temporarily present in the skin during feeding. Other times it lives in the seams of clothes. Body lice nits do not stick to the body. It is usually found in the threads of hair and clothes. It is adapted to a sedentary life in the pubic region, sometimes on eyelashes and body hair. Screening for other sexually transmitted infections is essential for the integrity of health. It is important.

What are the Symptoms of Lice?

The first symptom in all types of pediculosis is itching. If the person shows sensitivity to the secretion of lice, itching occurs. There are usually no signs or symptoms for 4 to 6 weeks following the initial infestation. Other symptoms that can be seen due to itching can be listed as follows:

• Dermatitis
• Swelling in the neck and nape area (Cervical and occipital lymphadenopathy)
• Eye inflammation (conjunctivitis)
• Fever
• Weakness
• Muscle pain

Lice are often associated with dandruff, eczema (atopic dermatitis), superficial fungal infection, hair follicle inflammation (folliculitis) and can be confused with scabies. In addition, dandruff, hairspray residue and dirt particles have a similar appearance to lice vinegar. For this reason, it is very important to consult an expert for the diagnosis of lice.

How does lice pass?

Lice treatment is carried out by specialist physicians in many areas such as the age of the person, allergy history, pregnancy or breastfeeding status. factor is taken into account. It is planned individually. Lice treatment is based on three basic principles:

• Topical treatment
• Wet screening
• Oral (systemic) treatment

In addition, patient information and education about the treatment is an important step. While current treatments are successful in lice removal options; It is important to know that it does not permanently destroy lice eggs. Because of the lice formation cycle, retreatment is an important step in getting rid of lice. A second treatment 7 to 10 days after the first treatment is sufficient to destroy most non-resistant lice. There are also approaches:

• Hair brushes and combs should be washed with soapy hot water for 10-20 minutes.
• Towels, underwear, clothes and bed linen should be washed at at least 60 degrees.
• The items that cannot be washed should be kept in a tightly closed plastic bag for 3 days.
• The floor, playgrounds and furniture should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly remove the hair strands that lice and nits may have attached to. .
• In the treatment of body lice, first of all, body hygiene should be provided.
• Shaving the hairs in the treatment of pubic lice is also important in terms of ending the infestation quickly.
• Sexual partners of the patients should also be included in the treatment in the treatment of pubic lice.

In some cases, after the treatment of lice and nits lice can be seen again. This situation is usually seen due to the following factors:

• Application of the treatment for a shorter time than necessary
• Inadequate use of the drug
• Not being applied evenly over the affected area
• Dilution of the drug to such an extent that it loses its effectiveness
• To apply the second treatment too early or too late.
• Not to apply the second treatment

Lice can cause social isolation, school and work It can cause loss of days and negatively affect the quality of life. For this reason, it is necessary to examine the hair of children at regular intervals under the light; In case of complaints, a specialist should be consulted. It is important for the health and quality of life of the person to start the treatment immediately when the diagnosis of lice is made. When the drugs are used appropriately, the person regains his old skin health in a short time. If you think you also have lice, do not hesitate to apply to a health institution.

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