Lice and Pinworm Infections - An Overview

Introduction:

Head lice can survive by holding onto hair and spread by sharing towels or other items that have been in contact with the infected person. Pinworm infections occur when persons swallow pinworm eggs that can contaminate surfaces and poop. Both of these infections can spread fast and commonly affect anyone.

What Are Lice and Pinworm Infections?

• Lice are typically identified as small dark brown and black moving specks on the scalp. These can be contracted by playing with another child with lice or sharing a comb with someone with lice. These processes can transfer eggs as well as lice. The scalp can become itchy and can be inflamed sometimes. These lice can spread amongst children, especially in mild weather.

• Pinworm is a thin, small, white roundworm called Enterobius vermicularis and lives in the colon and rectum of humans. They are about the length of a staple. In case of infections, these pinworms leave an individual's intestine through the anus and deposit eggs on the surrounding skin. These pinworms cause infection leading to itchiness around the anus and making sleeping difficult and restless. Some pinworm infections have no symptoms, and some are caused by female pinworms laying eggs.

Who Is at Risk of Getting Lice and Pinworm Infections?

Lice and pinworm infections can occur widely and affect persons of any age and socioeconomic status. They are the most common type of infection. They are commonly seen in:

• Institutionalized persons.

• School-aged and preschool-aged children.

• Caretakers and household members of the individuals who already have the infections.

Lice and pinworm are easy-spreading infections and affect more than one person in the household and institution. They are often caused at the site of infection.

What Are the Symptoms of Lice and Pinworm Infections?

The symptoms of lice infections are as follows:

• The tickling feeling from the movement of hair.

• Presence of lice on scalp, clothing, body, and other body hair.

• Lice eggs in hair shafts.

• Intense itching on the scalp and genital of the body.

• Sores on the scalp, shoulders, and neck.

The symptoms of pinworm infection are as follows:

• Itching of the anal and vaginal area.

• Occasional stomach pain and nausea.

• Insomnia - A sleep disorder that causes trouble falling or staying asleep.

• Irritability.

• Teeth grinding and restlessness.

In some cases, pinworm causes no symptoms.

What Is the Treatment for Lice and Pinworm Infection?

Both head lice and pinworm infections can be eradicated by the very potent form of grapefruit seed extract. This is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic. It can also be used for mouth inflammation, skin rashes, throat infections, sinus and nasal infections, ear infections, fungal nails, thrush, and vaginal infections. It can be used as an all-purpose cleaner, bacterial facial cleanser, and cleaning additive for washing machines. For either infection:

• Wash all pillows, bedding, and comforters with it.

• Wash all stuffed animals with the dilution.

• Wash all contact surfaces with dilution.

• Apply grapeseed extract drops in shampoo on the scalp as a shampoo for a week.

• Wash children's clothes and adults in contact with an infected person.

• Use a special comb to comb out lice and wash the comb with the dilution.

• Two to five drops of grape seed extract in concentrated juice for pinworms two to three times a day until it is gone.

Treatment For Lice Infection: It is done with over-the-counter medications. The treatment consists of using medications like Pyrethrins and Permethrin lotion.

If crawling lice are seen, the following medications are used:

• Benzyl alcohol lotion, 5 %.

• Ivermectin lotion, 0.5 %.

• Malathion lotion, 0.5 %.

• Spinosad, 0.9 % topical suspension.

Second-Line treatment:

• Lindane shampoo (1 %) is an organochlorine. This is not recommended as the first line of treatment. Overuse can be toxic to the brain and other parts of the nervous system. It is not recommended in premature infants, persons with HIV, seizure disorder, breastfeeding or pregnancy, or individuals with irritated skin.

Treatment of Pinworm Infection: Over-the-counter Pyrantel pamoate is prescribed to prevent infection and reinfection. Other medications are Mebendazole and Albendazole.

What Are the Complications of Lice and Pinworm Infections?

The complication of head lice are as follows:

• Pruritic rash on the back of the neck.

• Rash behind ears.

• Excoriation (Dermatillomania is a skin-picking disorder where an individual cannot stop picking the skin).

• Skin infections.

• Impetigo (It is a common and highly contagious skin infection that affects young children and infants)

The complications of pinworm infections are as follows:

• Appendicitis (Inflammation of the appendix).

• Bacterial infection by anal area scratching.

• Abdominal infection.

• Weight loss.

• Urinary tract infection (Infection in any part of the urinary system that includes ureters, bladder, kidneys, and urethra).

How to Prevent Lice and Pinworm Infection?

The steps to be followed to prevent lice infections are as follows:

• Active infections must be managed, like parents of a primary school-aged child should regularly check for head lice using a detection comb.

• After detection, it is important to check hair, scalp, and other household members thoroughly.

• The members who are detected with lice should undergo treatment at the same time.

• The comb and brush of the infected person should be washed daily in hot water.

• After the treatment, regular hair checking is required weekly for months to ensure the clearance of all lice.

The steps to be followed to prevent pinworm infections are as follows:

• Keep the kid's fingernails clean and short.

• Remind kids to wash their hands well after using the toilet, playing outside, and eating.

• Change and wash underwear and pajamas daily.

• Wash clothes, towels, and bed sheets in hot water.

• Ask kids not to scratch around their bums and bite their nails.

• Make kids shower and bathe every day.

Conclusion:

Pinworm infections are very contagious. If precaution is not taken, it is easy to get reinfected. Steps should be taken to eliminate pinworm eggs if anyone suffers from pinworm infection. Both lice and pinworm infections can be prevented by following preventive measures. Once detected, they can be managed by precautionary measures. Timely treatment of both infections can help in managing and preventing complications due to infections.