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Section 2
Section 3
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Section 5
Appendices

The following text is from an archived Red Book® edition and may not reflect current recommendations or information. To view the current edition, click here.

The first 300 words of the full text of this section appear below.

Section 3. Summaries of Infectious Diseases

Pediculosis Capitis 1

(Head Lice)

Clinical Manifestations
Etiology
Epidemiology
Diagnostic Tests
Treatment
Isolation of the Hospitalized Patient
Control Measures

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CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS: Itching is the most common symptom of head lice infestation, but many children are asymptomatic. Adult lice or eggs (nits) are found in the hair, usually behind the ears and near the nape of the neck. Excoriations and crusting caused by secondary bacterial infection may occur and often are associated with regional lymphadenopathy. In temperate climates, head lice deposit their eggs on a hair shaft 3 to 4 mm from the scalp. Because hair grows at a rate of approximately 1 cm per month, the duration of infestation can be estimated by the distance of the nit from the scalp.


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ETIOLOGY: Pediculus humanus capitis is the head louse. Both nymphs and adult lice feed on human blood.


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EPIDEMIOLOGY: Head lice infestation in children attending child care and school is common in the United States. Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene, and all socioeconomic groups are affected. Infestations are less common in African-American children than in children of other races in the United States. Head lice infestation is not influenced by hair length or frequency of shampooing or brushing. Head lice are not a health hazard, because they are not responsible for spread of any disease. Transmission occurs by direct contact with hair of infested people and uncommonly, by contact with personal belongings, such as combs, hair brushes, and hats. Head lice may survive up to 2 days away from the scalp, and their eggs cannot hatch at a lower ambient temperature than that close to the scalp.

The incubation period from the laying of eggs to the hatching of the first nymph is 10 to 14 days but may be . . . [Go to Full Text]


Related text in Red Book:

Pediculosis Pubis (Pubic Lice)

Red Book 2006: 492-493. [Extract] [Full Version]  

Drugs for Parasitic Infections

Red Book 2006: 790-820. [Extract] [Full Version]  



This topic has been referenced by these articles:

  • Pearlman, D. L. (2005). Nuvo Lotion and the Future of Head-Lice Treatment. Pediatrics 115: 1452-1453 [Full Version]  
  • Williams, L. K., Reichert, A., MacKenzie, W. R., Hightower, A. W., Blake, P. A. (2001). Lice, Nits, and School Policy. Pediatrics 107: 1011-1015 [Abstract] [Full Version]  
  • Hipolito, R. B., Mallorca, F. G., Zuniga-Macaraig, Z. O., Apolinario, P. C., Wheeler-Sherman, J. (2001). Head Lice Infestation: Single Drug Versus Combination Therapy With One Percent Permethrin and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole. Pediatrics 107: 30e-30 [Abstract] [Full Version]  
  • Pollack, R. J. (2001). Head Lice Infestation: Single Drug Versus Combination Therapy. Pediatrics 108: 1393-1393 [Full Version]  
  • Frankowski, B. L., Weiner, L. B., Committee on School Health, , Committee on Infectious Diseases, (2002). Head Lice. Pediatrics 110: 638-643 [Abstract] [Full Version]  
  • (2002). ERRATUM. Pediatrics 110: 1300-1300 [Full Version]  
  • Pearlman, D. (2005). Cetaphil Cleanser (Nuvo Lotion) Cures Head Lice. Pediatrics 116: 1612-1612 [Full Version]  
  • Pearlman, D. L. (2004). A Simple Treatment for Head Lice: Dry-On, Suffocation-Based Pediculicide. Pediatrics 114: e275-e279 [Abstract] [Full Version]