Risk Factors and Clinical Features of the Head Louse (Pediculus humanus capitis)

 

Risk factors:

(1) young child (3 to 11 years of age) at school or day care center

(2) child in a developing country

(3) contact with a someone with head lice

(4) sharing hats or head coverings with someone with head lice

 

Clinical findings:

(1) lice or nits (eggs) on scalp hairs

(2) finding hairs with nits on a comb

(3) scratching the scalp

(4) sleep disturbances

(5) poor school performance

 

Complications:

(1) secondary bacterial infection of the scalp (impetigo, other)

(2) social isolation