Infestation with head lice is best treated by wetting the hair with paraffin (kerosene) and swathing the head in a towel for an hour. The paraffin must disperse widely in the hair down to the scalp but must not run into the eyes or down the neck. An alternative is dicophane application, B.P.C., but this does not destroy the fertile eggs and therefore the treatment should be repeated on three occasions at weekly intervals. After either application the hair is washed thoroughly. It is then combed with a fine-toothed comb moistened in vinegar to loosen the cement holding the eggs (nits) on to the hairs. Subsequently any impetiginous lesions should be treated.
Body lice live in the seams of the clothing and are dealt with by steam dis-infestation of the clothes. When this is not available, laundering and careful ironing of the seams, combined with a sprinkling of dicophane dusting powder will suffice. Crotamiton cream which will help to relieve the intense itch produced by the disease will also- kill any parasites on the body.
Pubic lice (crab lice) live among stiff hairs holding on with either claw, and are found in the eyebrows, eyelashes, axillary and pubic hair. In the pubic region they are easily dealt with by shaving, but around the eyes they should be treated with mercuric oxide eye ointment and removed by gentle washing with liquid paraffin. The shaved areas can be treated with dilute ammoniated mercury ointment.
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