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DESCRIPTION
Order Anophera (anopl, unarmed; ura,tail); Siphunculata; sucking lice.
BODY CHARACTERISTICS -- minute; dorsoventrally flattened; head narrower than thorax.
MOUTHPARTS -- piercing-sucking; retracted into head when not feeding.
EYES AND OCELLI -- compound eyes weakly developed or lacking; dorsal ocelli lacking.
ANTENNAE -- short; 3 to 5 segments.
WINGS -- lacking.
LEGS -- 1-segmented tarsi; tarsi usually adapted for grasping hairs.
ABDOMEN -- cerci lacking.
Anoplura, sucking lice.
A. Crab louse, Phthirus pubis.
B. Human louse, Pediculus humanus.
C. Egg or nit of crab louse attached to host hair.
D. Egg of human head louse attached to host hair.
Sucking lice are all blood-feeders. They attack a wide variety of mammals, even marine forms (e.g., seals), and are highly host specific.
The major pests of domestic animals in this order are in the families Haematopinidae (e.g., the hog louse, Haematopinas suis) and Linognathidae (e.g., Linognathus vituli, the long-nosed ox louse).
Two species of sucking lice attack humans, Phthirus pubis (Fig. A) and Pediculus humanus (Fig. B). Some systematists include these two species in a single family, Pediculidae; others split them into two families, Pediculus in Pediculidae and Phthirus in Phthiriidae.
Phithirus pubis is the human pubic louse or crab louse and infests the pubic and armpit areas, although it may be found in other parts of the body with course hair. This louse causes intense itching, and an infestation may result from contact with an already infested individual via toilet seats, blankets, and sexual intercourse. The life cycle ordinarily takes about 1 month to complete and the eggs, or nits, are attached to hairs on the host (Fig. C). Pubic lice are not known to transmit any human pathogens.
Pediculus humanus can be divided into two subspecies, P. humanus capitis, the head louse, and P. humanus corporis, the body louse. The first infests particularly the head region, but it has been found on other hair areas of the body. The body louse infests regions that come into frequent or continuous contact with clothing (e.g., armpits, neck, and crotch). The eggs are usually attached to clothing which provides an ideal vehicle for transmission to a new host. Head lice, on the other hand, attach their eggs to hairs (Fig. D), and a new infestation may result from contact with a stray hair bearing an egg. Both head and body lice are spread via direct contact. They develop quite rapidly, a complete generation occurring in about 3 weeks.
Infestation with lice is sometimes referred to as pediculosis. The attendant discomforts range from intense itching to anemia and pathologic changes in the skin resulting from the chronic feeding of lice and the associated blood loss. In addition to the problems caused directly by their feeding, body lice are involved in the transmission of a number of human pathogens, the most important of which are epidemic relapsing fever, caused by a spirochaete, Borrelia recurrentis; epidemic typhus, caused by a rickettsia, Rickettsia prowazekii; and murine typhus fever, caused by Rickettsia typhi. All three of these diseases have occurred in large epidemics and in the case of epidemic typhus have claimed thousands of lives, particularly during wartime when populations become highly concentrated and sanitary practices are lax. Several other pathogenic microbes may be transmitted by lice.
For information about how to diagnose and treat parasitic infestations of lice, mites, scabies, and crab louse, see these links:
MoonDragon's Obgyn Information: Scabies
HEAD & BODY LICE SUPPLEMENTAL PRODUCTS
Information for help with head and body lice, parasitic insects that feed on human blood and cause severe itching of the head and other body areas from their bites.
LICE - BENEFICIAL DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Garlic helps fight lice infestation.
Echinacea and Goldenseal help fight secondary infection.
Tea Tree Oil is a strong, natural disinfectant.
Lice Arrest, 8 fl. oz. Liquid Spray or Mousse All Natural, Non-toxic, Head Lice Removal
Lice Arrest is an effective ALL NATURAL Lice removal product that uses a combination of naturally occurring enzymes, minerals, and botanicals to harmlessly eliminate Lice and other pests.Bug Arrest Concentrate, All Natural, Non-toxic Insect Removal - 32 fl. oz.
Bug Arrest™ Natural Insect Removal Concentrate is an ecologically safe and effective natural repellant for use by humans and pets.Garlic Oil Tincture, Alcohol Free Nature's Way - 1 fl. oz.
Garlic oil is often used to soothe the ear and as an antibiotic but most often used as a food and herb and also to lower serum cholesterol and blood pressure and to improve circulation as well as possibly inhibiting the growth of ulcer causing bacteria.Nature's Antiseptics Tea Tree Oil and Grapefruit Seed Extract - CJ Puotinen - paperback
Nature's Warfare, this book covers tea tree oil and grapefruit see extract use in safely destroying viruses, bacteria, molds, yeasts and parasites that want to live in us and on us.Echinacea Root Complex, Nature's Way - 180 Caps
Echinacea Root Complex helps promote general well-being during the cold and flu season and support the Immune System.Goldenseal Herb, Nature's Way 400mg - 180 Caps
Golden seal is used both internally and externally to help the body fight infections with its nutritional properties. It helps the body soothe inflammations of the mucous membranes and balance their function. This herb especially nourishes the liver, glandular and respiratory systems. Golden seal helps cleanse the system of foreign organisms.Tea Tree Oil Antiseptic Solution (15% Water Soluble) - 2 fl. oz.
Tea Tree Oil Antiseptic Solution can be used for mixing with water for douching, athletes foot, facial problems and bathing.The Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, and Food Supplements - 4th Edition, By Phyllis Balch, C.N.C. & James Balch, M.D
The Prescription for Nutritional Healing is a complete and authoritative guide to dealing with over 250 of the most common ailments and diseases lists many different drug-free remedies for various disorders and health conditions including vitamins, minerals, herbs, food supplements, exercise and meditation.
HELPFUL PRODUCTS & INFORMATION
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils A-B
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils C-E
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils F-L
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils M-P
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils Q-Z
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Blends & Resins
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Diffusers, Nebulizers, & Burners
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Kits
Click Here To Visit Herbal Remedies Product Page
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You or anyone in your household has symptoms of lice or symptoms recur after treatment.
