No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Head* ; Pediculus*

We examined infestation state of head lice in 2 primary schools in 1998. Among the 382 subjects, 92 (24.1%) children were confirmed as having head lice infestation. Infestation rate of each school was 13.6% and 32.9%, respectively. Infestation rate of girls (42.2%) was higher than that of boys (5.8%) and the 5th grade had more infested children (35.7%) than any other.
Child ; Chungcheongnam-do* ; Female ; Head* ; Humans ; Pediculus*

The head louse infestation had been no problem since 1960s in Korea. However, the present study revealed highest infestation rate among the primary school children in Seosan-gun, Chungnam Province in July 1983. The cases of louse positive were determined by identifying the adult worms and/or their nits on scalp and hairs. The overall louse positive rate among 615 children examined was 73.5 percent. The rate was higher in girls (78.8 percent) than in boys (67.6 percent) and was highest in 3rd-4th school grades. It was observed that the more the number of family members the higher the infestation rate of children. The positive children were treated with 20 percent benzyl benzoate solution after the test for louscidal effect in petri dish. However, establishment of intensive control measure is needed to prevent further infestation.
parasitology-arthropoda ; Pediculus humanus capitis ; head louse ; epidemiology ; benzyl benzoate

In order to know the prevalence of head louse among the school children in rural area, we visited 3 primary schools and a kindergarten in Sanbuk-myon, Mungyong-gun, Kyongsangbuk-do in July 1985, and examined the children to identify the adult worms of head louse and/or its nits on the hair. The overall infestation rate was 91.9% among 420 children examined, and there was a difference between schools (P < 0.05). the school girls' rate, 96.1% was higher than that of bods' 88.9%(P < 0.05). By grade, the rate of infant school was 88.5% and 1st to 6th grade were 100, 100, 95.8, 90.4 89.7, 80.0% respectively. Above result indicates that the head louse is an important health problem in this community. Therefore, the chemotherapy and the effort to improve the hygiene are necessary in this community by physicians, teachers and health administrators.
parasitology-arthropoda ; head louse ; Pediculus humanus capitis ; epidemiology

The purpose of this study is to know the present situation of head louse infestation among the students in Yongyang-gun, Kyongsangbuk-to From May 11 to June 20, 1984, a total of 5,937 students in 23 primary and 3 middle schools were examined to identify the adult worms of head louse and/or their nits on the hair. The results are as follows: The overall infestation rate was 44.5 percent and the rates ranged from 19.6 percent to 88.6 percent by each school. In primary schools, the rate was 53.0 percent and in middle schools, 27.1 percent. The school boys' rate was 33.2 percent and the school girls' 55.6 percent, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The rates were different by grades in middle schools. The rates were different by areas (Myons) (p<0.001). The adult worms collected from the students were Pediculus humanus var. capitis.
parasitology ; arthropod ; head louse ; Pediculus humanus capitis ; epidemiology

Objective: To determine the efficacy of cooking coconut oil and vinegar as compared to 1% Permethrin shampoo in the treatment of Pediculosis humanus capitis in children 3 – 12 years old. Methodology: The study was conducted in Barangay 704, Zone 77 in Malate among children 3 – 12 years old. Two hundred forty-five subjects were screened and the computed sample size was 150. Subjects were randomized to three treatment groups: coconut oil (CO) group; vinegar plus coconut oil (CV) group; and 1% permethrin shampoo (PS) group. Treatments were given on the 1st and 8th day. The final level of infestation was determined on the 14th day. Cure rates, failure rates, and expenses were also determined. Results: Permethrin achieved superiority over plain coconut oil (X2=18.77 p-value = 0.00). There was no sufficient evidence to prove the superiority of permethrin over coconut-vinegar solution (X2=1.04 p-value = 0.30). Twenty-two percent (11) of the participants from the PS group developed itching and irritation. No adverse effect was reported from the CO and CV groups. Permethrin was 14 times and five times more expensive than coconut oil and vinegar plus coconut oil, respectively. Conclusion Permethrin shampoo had a cure rate of 98%. Plain coconut oil and vinegar plus coconut oil had cure rates of 68% and 94%, respectively. Plain coconut oil had the highest failure rate at 36%, vinegar plus coconut oil at 6%, and permethrin shampoo with 2%. Adverse effects were exclusive to the PS group. Plain coconut oil was the most economical but coconut oil with vinegar with its significant cure rate can be an alternative therapy to permethrin shampoo in the treatment of head lice in children.
Pediculus ; Coconut Oil ; Acetic Acid ; Permethrin ; Lice Infestations

Pthiriasis palpebrarum is a rare disease in which crab lice infest the eyelashes. It can cause pruritic lid margins, and it is difficult to diagnose and treat. We diagnosed and managed a case of pthiriasis palpebrarum in the right upper eyelid of a 35 month-old male child. We removed the lice and nits by pulling with fine forceps using dermoscopy. After treatment, all lice and nits had been eradicated without recurrence. We suggest that this is an effective, safe method for diagnosis and treatment of pthiriasis palpebrarum.
Child ; Dermoscopy ; Eyelashes ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Lice Infestations ; Male ; Pediculus ; Phthiraptera ; Phthirus ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence ; Surgical Instruments

PURPOSE: The authors of the present study report a case of phthiriasis palpebrarum treated with petrolatum ointment and tea tree oil in a 12-month-old boy. CASE SUMMARY: A bluish-gray macule and blood clots were found on the central portion of the upper eyelid of a boy who had rubbed his eyelid vigorously 1 week prior. Several 0.5 mm sized brownish-gray nits and 1.6 mm sized lice on the eyelashes were visible and was diagnosed with phthiriasis palpebrarum after light microscopic examination. The nits and lice were gently removed mechanically with the help of a white petrolatum ointment (Vaseline) and the eyelashes were cleaned with 50% tea tree oil. Nits and lice were successfully eradicated without recurrence 10 days after daily treatment with petrolatum ointment and 10% tea tree oil eyelash cleansing.
Child ; Eyelashes ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Infant ; Light ; Pediculus ; Petrolatum ; Phthiraptera ; Recurrence ; Tea ; Tea Tree Oil

BACKGROUND: Pediculosis continues to be a common yet neglected public health problem especially in children. Trials to test for effectiveness for head lice interventions are heterogeneous, and a recent systematic review recommended  the use of cluster randomization and centralized administration (e.g. school) of permethrin for pediculosis trials.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of a school-based to a home-based intervention using permethrin 1% shampoo in treating pediculosis capitis. 

METHODS: We conducted a pragmatic, cluster-randomized trial at the Makati Elementary School. All Grade Four students  (n = 211), belonging to a total of five class sections, were invited to participate in the study. Students with a known allergic reaction to permethrin 1% shampoo, with open wounds on the scalp, or were absent on Days 1 or 10 of the intervention period were excluded. The five class sections were randomized to receive permethrin 1% shampoo to be applied either in school, or at home. The students were classified as having none, light, medium, or heavy infestation prior to Day 1 and after Day 10 treatment. Prevalence, incidence, and treatment outcomes were measured.

RESULTS: The baseline prevalence of pediculosis capitis was 58.4%. General characteristics of students were similar between groups. No significant clustering in pediculosis classification was observed. The school-based group had the same prevalence in pediculosis at Days 1 and 10, had no incident cases, and were limited to light infestation by Day 10, but had no treatment success outcomes. The home-based group had increased prevalence by Day 10, poor compliance with Day 1 and 10 shampoo,  incident cases, although it registered a higher treatment success rate.

CONCLUSION: Compared to standard home based intervention, a school-based strategy resulted in less incident cases (0% vs. 37%), reduction in pediculosis severity (p = 0.007), and higher compliance (100% vs. 58.3%). Control of pediculosis in this specific community is largely warranted because of its high prevalence rate of 59.7%.

 

Human ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Pediculus ; Lice Infestations ; Permethrin ; Scalp ; Public Health ; Schools ; Treatment Outcome ; Students ; Hypersensitivity

OBJECTIVE: To determine the in vitro pediculicidal efficacy and acute dermal irritation in rabbits of hair cream prepared from the methanolic extract of Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook. f. et Thoms. known in the Philippines as makabuhay.

METHODS: Several concentrations of methanolic extract, an aqueous and alcoholic extract, from makabuhay were tested for in vitro pediculicidal efficacy based on methods established by earlier studies. The 60% concentration of the methanolic extract, found to be the most efficacious, was made into a hair cream and was tested for in vitro pediculicidal efficacy against Kwell® Reformulated Shampoo (Permethrin 1%). The same product was evaluated for acute dermal irritation in rabbits.

RESULTS: The 60% concentration of the methanolic extract formulated into a hair cream showed in vitro pediculicidal efficacy based on stringent criteria of 100%, 96.4%, 85.7%, 78.6%, 67.9%, 64.3% and 64.3% after 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, and 6 hours of observation, respectively, as compared with the 100% efficacy of Kwell® Reformulated Shampoo (Permethrin 1%). The hair cream passed the dermal irritation test on abraded and intact skin of rabbits.

CONCLUSION: The hair cream from the 60% methanolic extract of makabuhay was shown to possess some in vitro pediculicidal efficacy and was found to be non-irritating. This herbal pediculicide may be an alternative treatment for lice infestation.

Animal ; Rabbits ; Lice Infestations ; Lindane ; Permethrin ; Tinospora ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; Methanol ; Philippines ; Antiparasitic Agents ; Hair ; Pediculus