Lice in Horses — Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

Lice in Horses

Most Common Symptoms

Lice Average Cost

From 460 quotes ranging from $650 — 1,500

Average Cost

Jump to Section

What is Lice?

The blood sucking louse, Haematopinus asini, can be more harmful to your horse’s health than can Bovicola equi or Trichodectes pilosus. Haematopinus asini can make your horse anemic and weak due to blood loss. However, the chewing parasites Bovicola equi and Trichodectes pilosus, can be extremely painful and irritating to the horse’s skin. If you see your horse excessively itching at his skin, he should be seen by a veterinarian.

Lice are parasites that can live on the horse’s skin. There are three species of lice that can infect horses. Haematopinus asini ingests the equine’s blood. The other two lice, Bovicola equi and Trichodectes pilosus, chew on the surface of the horse’s skin.

Symptoms of Lice in Horses

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:

• Itching
• Skin inflammation
• Hair loss
• Scarring
• Biting at the skin
• Rubbing against fences, walls, posts
• Depression
• Weakness
• Coat looks dull
• Matted hair
• Decreased muscle tone
• Raw skin
• Lice eggs attached to the hair

Causes of Lice in Horses

Lice can live on objects for a few days, awaiting a host. Stressed horses or equines with suppressed immune systems are more susceptible to contract lice. Lice can be transmitted by:

• Sharing of infected grooming or riding equipment
• Using a blanket that has lice on it
• Physical contact with an infected animal
• Putting the horse in a lice infected stall or trailer

Diagnosis of Lice in Horses

Clinical signs may be the best way to verify if your horse has lice. The veterinarian will be able to determine if this is the case by closely examining your horse’s skin, tail, ears, and mane. Upon physical examination, the veterinarian will be able to diagnose a lice infestation by finding lice eggs and by visually identifying the lice.

In addition to the visual examination, the veterinarian may recommend a complete blood count to verify the systemic condition of your equine companion. Secondary infection is possible with a lice infestation, particularly of your horse has abrasions or cuts caused by scratching himself against stall walls or outdoor fences. Of importance as well is making sure that your horse is not anemic as a result of the lice being present.

Treatment of Lice in Horses

Once lice are found, the veterinarian will suggest a medicated shampoo. It is important to use an equine medicated shampoo and not a product meant for cattle or goats. Shampoos not designed for horses will cause skin irritation and sometimes hair loss.

It is recommended that the person caring for your horse should wear gloves. The wearing of gloves can help to prevent the transmission of lice to other animals. When using the shampoo, avoid getting it in the horse’s eyes. After your horse is shampooed, he should be combed out for lice egg removal. The veterinarian may also suggest a de-wormer such as a paste of ivermectin.

Blankets need to be washed in hot water and dried. Riding equipment must also be cleaned and disinfected. The medicated shampoo may be used to wash and disinfect the grooming brushes. Your horse’s bedding should be changed and the stall can be sprinkled with Sevin dust.

Horses diagnosed with anemia may need supplements and B-12 shots.

Recovery of Lice in Horses

Horses diagnosed with lice should have follow-up visits to check for re-infestations. If lice are found after two weeks, the horse will need to be retreated for the parasite. He will need to be re-shampooed with the medicated shampoo and combed out for lice eggs. Stalls and equipment must be re-cleaned and disinfected.

Horses that were diagnosed with anemia should have a repeat complete blood count to ensure that the red blood cell count is back to a normal range. If the veterinarian’s treatment plan is followed, the prognosis for a full recovery from a lice infestation is very good. It should be noted, studies show horses that are regularly de-wormed have less issues with lice than horses that are not de-wormed.

wagwalking.com

Pubic Lice – Pictures, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Suffering from an intense itching in your pubic region that simply refuses to die down? You may be having Pubic Lice. Read on and know what is Pubic Lice, what causes Pubic Lice, what are the symptoms of Pubic Lice and more.

Pubic Lice Definition

Picture 1 – Difference between Body Lice and Pubic Lice
Source – missouri

Pubic Lice is a disease that affects hair, especially of the pubic region – the area of the body that is just above the genitals. The term “Pubic Lice” actually refers to lice, the bloodsucking parasites that infest the pubic region. The Pubic Lice can also be found in other hairy areas of the body such as eyebrows and armpit.

Pubic Lice Description

Pubic Lice are small creatures with six legs that infect and lay eggs on the pubic area of the body. The six-legged Pubic Lice are also known as ‘Pubic Lice crabs’ or simply ‘crabs’ because of their appearance.

Symptoms of Pubic Lice

The main Pubic Lice symptoms are :

Itchiness

Sufferers of this disease typically experience an itchy sensation in their pubic region. The itchiness usually gets worse at night and affects sleep. It is one of the main Pubic Lice effects.

Skin Color Change

The color of the skin in the pubic region may also change and become bluish-gray in appearance.

Sores

Affected people may also suffer from sores in the pubic area due to the lice infection.

Pubic Hair Eggs

The affected area is also infested with tiny eggs laid by the lice. Pubic Lice eggs or nits are grayish-white in color and stick to the hair shaft in the pubic region.

Pubic Lice Causes

Pubic Lice is actually caused due to an infection by a group of lice named ‘Phthirus pubis’. Phthirus pubis lice are commonly known as Pubic Lice. It is one of the three main types of lice affecting humans, the other two being Head Lice or ‘Pediculus humanus capitis’ and Body Lice or ‘Pediculus humanus corporis’.

Picture 2 – Pubic Lice Image
Source – okstate

The disease is caused when the Phthirus pubis lice is transmitted from one person to another. Pubic Lice transmission occurs during sexual activity with an infected person or by sharing clothes or bed with that individual.

People who are sexually very active and have multiple sexual partners are particularly vulnerable to this disorder.

Pubic Lice Diagnosis

This condition can be diagnosed by physical observation as well as microscopic examination. A naked eye observation is enough to reveal the presence of oval, grayish-white lice eggs attached to hair over the pubic region. Redness and scratch marks on the area can be signs of a contagious Impetigo infection.

In some cases, samples of pubic hair are observed under microscope. This is usually done to detect adult lice.

Pubic Lice disease in the eyes can result in a type of eye infection known as Blepharitis. This is particularly true in case of young children. Pubic Lice on eye is usually detected by examining the eyelashes with the aid of a high-powered magnifying glass.

Treatment for Pubic Lice

Pubic Lice untreated can lead to quite serious and discomforting symptoms. The common ways adapted for Pubic Lice treatment include :

Prescription Wash

Pubic Lice can be treated by washing the pubic region with a prescription wash like Kwell or Elimite. These work well as Pubic Lice remedies.

Shampoo Wash

In Pubic Lice Treatment Shampoo washes work really great. Thoroughly rub the region with a good Pubic Lice shampoo, leave it to work for five minutes and then wash it away. Pyrethrin or Permethrin Lice shampoos are great for curing the condition.

Over The Counter Drugs

In Pubic Lice Treatment over the counter medicines like Nix. Malathione lotion and Rid can be used. These Pubic Lice lotions are found to be quite effective in treating itchiness resulting from the infection.

Ointments

Pubic Lice eyelashes can be treated using Petroleum Jelly, Phenothrin, Carbaryl or Malathoin. These work great as pubic lice remedy.

Pubic Lice Natural Treatment

Here are some natural methods that you can use for Pubic Lice cure. These help in Pubic Lice removal.

Comb the Pubic Hair

Comb the hair in the pubic area with a comb having fine tooth. Even gentle combing will help remove the eggs. Do this when your hair is dry. Apply a little vinegar to the pubic hair before combing. It is one of the best Pubic Lice home treatments.

Wash Clothes Thoroughly

Wash all your clothes and undergarments in hot water. Apply medicated spray over all items that you use and which cannot be washed. This will kill pubic lice present in these objects and prevent further transmission of the disorder.

Can Pubic Lice Be Cured?

With effective treatment, Pubic Lice can easily be cured. The condition usually takes just a few days to go away.

Pubic Lice Prevention

Pubic Lice can be prevented by following good hygiene. Avoid using towels, clothes and undergarments of other people. Pubic Lice on women often arises due to trying swimsuits in shops. You should keep your underwear on while doing this. This will prevent transmission of the disorder.

If you are sexually active and have one or more partners, practice safe sex to avoid getting lice. If your sexual partner is infected, avoid sexual contact until he or she recovers.

Pubic Lice Health Risks

What happens if pubic lice goes untreated? This is a common worry for sufferers of this disorder. Pubic Lice left untreated can cause complications that can range from mild to severe. As this disease causes itchiness, affected people are forced to scratch their pubic area. Constant digging and scratching chafes the area, makes it raw and can give rise to secondary infections.

Itchiness can also be a sign of some sexually transmitted disease. It is important that you check yourself well by an experienced professional during diagnosis to rule out any STD.

Pubic Lice Pictures

Want to know how Pubic Lice look like? Here are some useful pubic lice images to help you out. Check out these Pubic Lice Photos and get an idea about the appearance of the condition.

Picture 3 – Pubic Lice Photo
Source – livingwithbugs

Picture 4 – Pubic Lice Image
Source – bookdrum

Pubic Lice disease is a highly discomforting condition. If pubic lice home remedies and over-the-counter medications fail to bring about any improvement, you should visit a doctor. Early treatment by a medical expert will help you make a faster recovery and avoid further irritations.

www.primehealthchannel.com

Symptoms and Signs of Crabs (Pubic Lice)

Doctor’s Notes on Crabs
(Pubic Lice)

Pubic lice are parasitic insects found on the genital area hair (pubic hair) of humans. The lice infestation is typically spread by sexual contact, but any skin contact can spread the condition. The lice may occasionally also be found on other areas of body hair. Public lice infestation occurs worldwide. Pubic lice have six legs including two front legs that are very large and look like the pincher claws of a crab. This is the origin of the nickname «crabs.»

Signs and symptoms associated with public lice infestation include intense itching in the genital area. Small lice eggs, known as nits, may be seen attached to the hair shaft. Crawling lice may also occasionally be seen.

Crabs
(Pubic Lice) Symptoms

• The main symptoms of infection with the pubic lice of crabs are itching and burning of the pubic area.
• The itching may spread as the pubic lice move to other moist areas of the body such as the armpit.
• For many people who have crabs, the itching is worse at night.
• Intense or prolonged scratching may lead to skin injuries that may become infected by bacteria.

Crabs
(Pubic Lice) Causes

• The source of infection for pubic lice is intimate contact with an infected person. Therefore, pubic lice are often transmitted during sex.
• Since transmission occurs during intimate contact, actual sexual intercourse is not necessary for the spread of pubic lice.
• Pubic lice can also be transmitted by contact with contaminated belongings such as towels, bed sheets, or clothing.
• Crabs are transmitted through any intimate contact. Lice do not jump or fly, so actual contact is necessary for transmission. An individual may acquire an infection by sharing bedding or towels.
• Cats, dogs, and other pets are not involved in the spread of human lice. Your pet cannot become infected with human lice and transmit the lice to another person.

STD Diagnosis, Images, Symptoms, Treatment Slideshow

It’s not necessary to have sexual intercourse to get a sexually-transmitted disease (STD). The human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes genital warts can be transmitted by close skin-to-skin contact. Some types of HPVs cause cervical or anal cancer, and vaccines are available to protect against the most dangerous types. Other HPV types cause genital warts, which can be raised, flat, or cauliflower-shaped. HPV infection can occur in people who have no symptoms or visible warts.

HPV Symptoms

• Genital warts can be big or small, flat or raised. They generally appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital region, and may be shaped like a cauliflower.

HPV Vaccine

• A vaccine to prevent HPV is given in three shots. The second shot is given a month or two after the first shot. The third shot comes six months after the first shot.
• The Centers for Disease Control recommends boys and girls be vaccinated at ages 11 or 12.
• If they did not get the HPV vaccine as children, women can get the HPV vaccine through age 26. Men can get it through age 21. The CDC recommends HPV vaccination for men through age 26 for men who have sex with men or men with compromised immune systems, including HIV.

STD : Symptoms, Testing & List Quiz

Condoms are the best protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.

Featured Slideshows

ADHD in Children Better Parenting

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Heart Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Breast Cancer Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

www.emedicinehealth.com