Pubic louse (Pthirus pubis) infestation of the scalp in a 4-years old infant

The pubic or crab louse (Pthirus pubis), is a parasitic insect spending its entire life on human hair and feeding exclusively on blood. Humans are the only known host of this parasite. Pubic lice usually infest a new host by close contact between individuals, making sexual contacts among adults and parent child interactions the more likely routes of infestation. We report the case of a 4-year old male child, who was complaining from pruritus on the head area and around the eyes for several weeks. During the examination of the head, pubic lice and their eggs have been found on the eyelashes, eyebrows and scalp. The examination of other family members showed that the father but not the mother or the two bigger sisters were infested with pubic lice. The father was infested in the genital and chest area and apparently the child was often falling asleep on the chest of his father. For the treatment Hedrin Once (Dimethicone 4%) was used, which was applied 3 times within 10 days. The follow up of the two patients several weeks later showed no living or dead lice on their scalp or body hair.