Phthirias palpebral

Phthiriasis palpebrarum is a rare cause of blepharitis and conjunctivitis and can be easily omitted by the ophthalmologist. A high suspect index and a carefully slit-lamp examination leads to a correct diagnosis. Although the lice can be difficult to detect, the nits, the larvae of the lice, and their excrements, that appear like a red material over the eyelashes, will make the diagnosis easier. Pediculosis is transmitted by direct contact or by infested clothes, the other way of transmission is by sexual contact. In children it can be transmitted by direct contact with adults. Eyelashes and eyebrows are the chosen zones. In the young and adult people, phthiriasis palpebrarum is probably transmitted from the genital area to the eyes by the hands. The treatment must include mechanical removal of the lice and nits from the eyelashes and eyebrows. The use of topical fluorescein 20%, yellow mercuric oxide 1%, fisostigmine, gamma benceno, malathion, carbayl, permethrin are very useful as the use of criotherapy and argon laser. The whole family and sexual partners must be treated. Clothes, personal appliances must be desinfected by boiling them at 50 grades centigrades for 30 minutes.