Pediculosis capitis

Pediculosis capitis is an ectoparasitic infestation of the human scalp and hair caused by the head louse, *Pediculus humanus capitis* Pathophysiologically, the obligate parasites feed on host blood, provoking an allergic hypersensitivity reaction to louse saliva that results in hallmark pruritus, scalp excoriations, and occasional secondary bacterial infections The condition is clinically defined by the direct visualization of viable nits firmly cemented to hair shafts near the scalp or the pres...

Pediculosis capitis is an ectoparasitic infestation of the human scalp and hair caused by the head louse, *Pediculus humanus capitis*

It most commonly affects children between three and eleven years of age and is primarily transmitted via direct head-to-head contact Pathophysiologically, the obligate parasites feed on host blood, provoking an allergic hypersensitivity reaction to louse saliva that results in hallmark pruritus, scalp excoriations, and occasional secondary bacterial infections The condition is clinically defined by the direct visualization of viable nits firmly cemented to hair shafts near the scalp or the prese...

Pathophysiologically, the obligate parasites feed on host blood, provoking an allergic hypersensitivity reaction to louse saliva that results in hallmark pruritus, scalp excoriations, and occasional secondary bacterial infections