Diagnosis:
Pediculosis is diagnosed by positive identification of the adult louse either
with the naked eye or under the microscope, as well as by the positive identification
of the oval-shaped nits on the hair shaft or clothes under the microscope. (See
Figures 1-3 on main page).
Symptoms in
Humans:
The symptoms of pediculosis are both superficial and mild. Ectoparasites (the
lice) are found on the scalp, skin or clothes. Few adult parasites are usually
found on the skin but nits are present in hundreds. For example, body lice are
found on the body only when they are feeding, otherwise the are typically found
on the inner seams fo clothes. Priuritus (or itching) is very common where lice
and nits are on the skin. At the site of infestation on the skin itchy papules
can develop in response to the saliva and fecal excretions of the louse where
it bites the host. Occasionally these papules can lead to secondary bacterial
infection, due to bacteria present in the saliva and feces of the louse, with
symptoms similar to mange. Parasites such as those that cause louse-borne relapsing
fever (B. recurrentis) and louse-borne
typhus(R. prowazeki, R. quintana)can
also be transmitted in this way. Typhus infection symptoms include fever and
chills, agitation alternating with fatigue, and on the fifth or sixth day of
the fever, macular eruption on the skin.