Original Research

Pediculosis palpebrarum initially diagnosed as blepharitis

J. A. Ebeigbe, A. B. Osaiyuwu
African Vision and Eye Health | South African Optometrist: Vol 68, No 2 | a152 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v68i2.152 | © 2009 J. A. Ebeigbe, A. B. Osaiyuwu | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 13 December 2009 | Published: 13 December 2009

About the author(s)

J. A. Ebeigbe,, Nigeria
A. B. Osaiyuwu, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria

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Abstract

Pediculosis is an infestation of lice. Eyelid involvement is uncommon, but can be caused by pediculus humanus capitis (head louse), rarely
by  pediculus humanus corporis (body louse) and commonly by phthirus pubis (pubic louse). Signs and symptoms are similar to those of blepharitis. A diagnosis of any type of pediculosis requires the
finding of live specimen of lice and/or a viable nit.

The immediate and effective treatment of pediculosis palpebrarum is removal of the lice and nits manually with forceps and treating the patient withvaseline, twice daily for seven to ten days. Also, fomites such as pillow cases, bedsheets, towels and hats  need to be washed in hot water and dried. This is to avoid further spread of lice or reinfestation.


Keywords

lice; infestation; pediculosis; madaro- sis.

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