Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Infectious Skin Diseases - Parasitic Infections
Number of Conditions: 4
Pediculosis (Lice)
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Skin Disorders
Sub-category: Infectious Skin Diseases - Parasitic Infections
Symptoms:
intense itching on scalp, body, or pubic area; visible lice or nits (eggs) attached to hair shafts; red bumps or excoriations due to scratching
Root Cause:
Infestation by lice species (Pediculus humanus capitis, Pediculus humanus corporis, or Pthirus pubis).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Visual identification of lice or nits; Wood’s lamp may help detect nits.
Treatment:
Topical pediculicides and manual removal of nits; wash clothing and bedding to prevent reinfestation.
Medications:
Topical permethrin 1% or 5% lotion – first-line treatment. Oral ivermectin – for resistant cases. Malathion or benzyl alcohol – alternative topical treatments.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common, especially in children and crowded living conditions.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Close contact with infested individuals, sharing personal items, poor hygiene.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with treatment; reinfestation is common without environmental control.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial infections; Scalp irritation or dermatitis
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Skin Disorders
Sub-category: Infectious Skin Diseases - Parasitic Infections
Symptoms:
painless skin sores or ulcers; raised edges and central crater; may heal with scarring
Root Cause:
Infection by Leishmania parasites transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin biopsy or lesion aspirate, microscopy, PCR, or culture to identify parasites.
Treatment:
Antiparasitic medications; treatment varies by species and region.
Medications:
Pentavalent antimonials (e.g., sodium stibogluconate). Amphotericin B – for resistant or severe cases. Miltefosine – oral therapy for certain forms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Endemic in tropical and subtropical regions; affects millions globally.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Living or traveling in endemic areas, exposure to sandflies, and poor housing conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Healing depends on the species and treatment; mucocutaneous forms can cause significant disfigurement.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial infections; Disfiguring scars; Spread to mucous membranes
Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Skin Disorders
Sub-category: Infectious Skin Diseases - Parasitic Infections
Symptoms:
disfiguring lesions on mucous membranes; nasal and oral ulceration
Root Cause:
Infection by Leishmania parasites transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin biopsy or lesion aspirate, microscopy, PCR, or culture to identify parasites.
Treatment:
Antiparasitic medications; treatment varies by species and region.
Medications:
Pentavalent antimonials (e.g., sodium stibogluconate). Amphotericin B – for resistant or severe cases. Miltefosine – oral therapy for certain forms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Endemic in tropical and subtropical regions; affects millions globally.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Living or traveling in endemic areas, exposure to sandflies, and poor housing conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Healing depends on the species and treatment; mucocutaneous forms can cause significant disfigurement.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial infections; Disfiguring scars; Spread to mucous membranes
Cutaneous Larva Migrans
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Skin Disorders
Sub-category: Infectious Skin Diseases - Parasitic Infections
Symptoms:
itchy, red, serpiginous tracks on the skin; localized swelling and irritation; commonly affects feet, buttocks, or other areas in contact with contaminated soil
Root Cause:
Skin infestation by hookworm larvae (Ancylostoma braziliense or Ancylostoma caninum) from contaminated soil or sand.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical appearance of characteristic serpiginous lesions; history of contact with contaminated environments.
Treatment:
Oral or topical antiparasitic medications.
Medications:
Oral albendazole or ivermectin – first-line treatments. Topical thiabendazole – for localized lesions.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in tropical and subtropical regions; travelers and locals are affected.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Walking barefoot on contaminated soil or sand, living in endemic areas.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with treatment; lesions typically resolve within a week.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial infections; Persistent itching or irritation