Lice are probably the most famous parasites that feed on human blood. They can settle in the hair or on clothes. The disease associated with the appearance of lice is called pediculosis, and lice bites are an integral part of this pathology. It is worth noting that the place where this parasite has stuck, then heals and itches for a long time, so you need to know how to deal with lice and relieve symptoms.
Lice on head
Most often a person has a head louse, which feels great in the hair. Also, the head louse can live in the thick beard or mustache of men.
The female also lays her eggs there. They are attached near the roots of the hair, but at a safe distance. For added protection, the eggs are covered with a white coating. They are also called nits.
How you can get head lice:
- on contact with an infected person;
- through the patient's personal effects, such as a hat, towel or pillowcase;
- when bathing insame pool or pond with a peddler of lice;
- when sharing bedding.
The risk of infection is much higher in crowded places.
It is worth noting that head lice bites are more common in children. After the lesion, the skin is covered with bright red spots that itch. It is also possible to develop a severe allergic reaction.
If there are a lot of lice in the head, red spots may take on a blue tint. This form of head lice is considered very dangerous.
Lice bites
Second most common. Linen or body lice. The bites of this parasite are also quite dangerous for the human body.
The affected area is very itchy. Sometimes a person simply cannot control the process of combing, so in the future, deep and non-healing wounds appear at the site of the bites. There are also forms with abscesses.
However, this is not the only danger that a linen louse bite can pose. Sometimes these parasites are carriers of typhus and fever. In this case, the risk of infection increases with active combing of bites. Parts of dangerous parasites get into deep wounds.
It also happens that a person does not even notice the existence of body lice on his body for a long time. This happens only with those patients whose skin sensitivity is below normal. And only after the bite of the linen louse is covered with a blue coating, and the insects have already multiplied to the size of an army, does a person begin to fight pediculosis.
It is worth noting that such a pathologyis treated at any stage, however, at an advanced stage, the patient must undergo a complete examination in order to make sure that the body has not suffered from the active development of parasites.
Pubic lice. Big problem
Lice bites on a person can appear almost anywhere, including in the intimate area, as well as in the armpits. Parasites that live and breed in these places are called pubic parasites.
Symptoms of pubic pediculosis are as follows:
- red small stains on underwear;
- nits found in pubic hair;
- constant itching in the intimate area;
- swelling of the skin in the area of the pubis or armpits.
It is worth noting that sometimes pubic lice crawl onto a person's eyelashes. In this case, pediculosis can already harm a person's vision, since constant scratching of the skin in the eye area can lead, for example, to the formation of conjunctivitis.
What is moose louse?
Moose louse is a small insect that is not well known among the population. In fact, many have met this insect, but confused it, for example, with a tick. They are especially numerous in forest areas. There they make their way into a person's hair, bite through the scalp and drink blood.
When a person, after going to the forest, finds lice bites on the body, or rather, on the scalp, most likely, he suffered from just such an insect.
However, doctors strongly advise not topanic and do not run to the clinic for specialized care. Moose lice are absolutely not interested in people. They often live on the body of moose, from which they got their scientific name "elk bloodsucker". In human hair, they appear quite by accident and do not multiply in such an environment.
Are Moose Lice Bites Dangerous?
But if the bloodsucker did end up in the hair of a person and bit him? What to do? The question arises, is the bite of an elk louse dangerous? What is it fraught with?
From a medical point of view, not a single disease has been recorded that could be transmitted from the bite of a moose bloodsucker. But these insects can deliver very unpleasant sensations to a person. The affected area can be sore and itchy for a long time. There is also a high chance of redness and swelling.
In this case, a person can provide first aid to himself by taking an antihistamine and use a soothing gel.
Also, doctors recommend protecting yourself from moose lice with hats in the forests, since the insect most often jumps to this area.
How does a louse bite? Process
So, what lice bites look like has already been sorted out. But how does this parasite do it?
When it hits the scalp, the louse wields sharp stilettos that are located around its mouth. It is worth noting that the flea also has the same stilettos, so their bites are often confused.
Next, the louse begins to move into the deeper layers of the skin until it reachesblood vessel. That is why, when examining a louse, often its body is in an upright position, and its head is completely recessed into the skin.
Simultaneously with the bite, the parasite injects a special enzyme into the bloodstream. He keeps her from curling up quickly.
Allergy to the bite of the parasite, in principle, does not occur. Itching and inflammation may appear precisely because of the injected enzyme, which is a foreign body for the human body.
For a person, adult louse bites are much more dangerous, despite the fact that the larvae can also damage the skin. The fact is that in the saliva of the larvae there is very little of the same enzyme, therefore their bites are almost invisible.
As for nits, they are completely devoid of sharp stilettos, so they cannot bite. However, patients with pediculosis very often complain of itching, which is caused by nits.
First aid for bites
Finding parasites on the human body is not so difficult. One has only to remember that lice live and breed on the hairy parts of the human body.
Things are a little more complicated with bed lice bites. In this case, you should, first of all, inspect the person's clothing. Most often, larvae and nits can be found in the folds of the fabric and immediately after detection, proceed with the first security measures.
A person, even without medical assistance, is able to treat lice bites himself, thus giving himself first aid. What to do:
- first you need to thoroughly wash the affected surface with soapsolution;
- then the surface must be disinfected and dried. It is recommended to do this with propolis tincture, but in its absence, any alcohol-containing liquid will do, for example, medical alcohol, vodka, etc.;
- to relieve discomfort, bites can be treated with "Rescuer" or "Fenistil". Also, itching is perfectly relieved by menthol-based ointments.
If an allergic reaction occurs, it is advisable to consult a doctor, and before that, take an appropriate antihistamine.
Medicated treatment
Treatment of head lice with drugs is indicated only if the patient has experienced a severe form of the disease.
Specialist help is needed if a patient has a high fever, headaches or nausea from lice bites.
Most often, dermatologists prescribe these drugs:
- hydrogen peroxide to treat affected areas. It dries bleeding wounds, accelerates healing and eliminates the risk of infection;
- balm "Rescuer", which perfectly eliminates itchy skin;
- hydrocortisone.
Also, the doctor must explain to the patient that pediculosis is a contagious disease. Throughout treatment, it is recommended to limit contact with family members and follow basic personal hygiene.
Preventive measures
To protect yourself from lice bites, it is recommended to carry out prophylaxis, in which there is nothing complicated:
- do not use someone else's underwear and bedding;
- it is recommended to shower daily and wear clean clothes every day;
- after returning from a trip, the head and other hairy parts of the body must be carefully examined;
- things need to be washed well and be sure to iron;
- keep the house clean and tidy.
Such simple preventive measures can protect both children and adults from head lice.
