Normally the pubic louse Phthirus pubis is limited to pubic hairs. Less often it may affect the hairs around the eyes and axillae. Least often it may affect the scalp.
The involvement of scalp hairs may be:
(1) limited to scalp hairs at the periphery and part of a heavy infestation
(2) throughout scalp hairs
The patient may present with:
(1) scalp pruritis
(2) observation of lice or nits
When lice are seen on scalp hairs:
(1) adults should be collected and speciated
(2) other sites of body hair should be examined
(3) people with intimate contact should be examined
Lice can also be recovered from towels used after bathing.
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