More than 100 pubic lice nest on 5-year-old girl's eyelids

A 5-year-old girl in Hanoi was brought by her parents to the Central Institute of Malaria, Parasitology and Entomology for examination with swelling, redness and itching around the eyes. Here, the patient was diagnosed with pubic lice (also known as groin lice) parasitizing around the eyelids. Doctors spent a lot of time removing more than 100 pubic lice and parasitic eggs from the eyelashes.

Pubic lice attack the eyelids

Previously, the hospital also treated a 25-year-old male patient who came to the clinic with itching in the groin and eyelids for more than a month. The severe itching often appeared at night.

The patient said he searched online and suspected he had pubic lice. However, after applying many topical medications, even using crushed neem leaves to apply the juice, the itching did not subside.

At the Central Institute of Malaria - Parasitology - Entomology, doctors discovered that the patient had pubic lice in his groin and on his eyelids.

Dr. Nguyen Van Dung, Head of the Entomology Department - Central Institute of Malaria, Parasitology and Entomology, said that pubic lice are not a very common disease but are quite common in Vietnam. Tourist areas, especially people in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City often record more cases of pubic lice.

Symptoms of pubic lice are often very itchy, even "horribly itchy". This type of lice only causes itching at night, after the body is in deep sleep. If not treated thoroughly, scratching the itch causes skin abrasions that can lead to bacterial infections.

Pubic lice cling to hair and bite into the skin to suck blood.

Doctor Dung said that pubic lice often parasitize on hairy areas, in moist areas such as the pubic area, in young children pubic lice often parasitize on the eyelids. Because the disease is often transmitted through sexual intercourse, infected people are reluctant to go to the doctor. Others may contract the disease by sharing underwear, bras of people with pubic lice, sharing blankets, mosquito nets, towels... when traveling.

According to Dr. Dung, you cannot use folk remedies to treat pubic lice. In fact, many people use neem leaf juice to apply on itchy areas to kill pubic lice, but this method only makes the pubic lice temporarily "intoxicated" and does not kill them.

"Currently, there are some drugs and chemicals on the market that can kill pubic lice, but the procedure and dosage of the topical medication must follow the doctor's instructions. Absolutely do not apply this medication to the eyelids. For patients with lice on the eyelids, doctors will use a microscope to remove lice and pubic lice eggs," Dr. Dung noted.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/suc-khoe/hon-100-con-ran-mu-lam-to-tren-mi-mat-be-gai-5-tuoi-20230617141840166.htm