Head lice

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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Lice may cause you to scratch your head so vigorously that you break the skin. See your doctor if these scratches become infected.

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References
  1. Goldstein AO, et al. Pediculosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 27, 2009.
  2. Head lice: Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/lice/head/factsheet.html. Accessed March 27, 2009.
  3. Head lice: Treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/lice/head/treatment.html. Accessed March 27, 2009.
  4. Ectoparasites. In: Rakel RE, et al. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.  http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128370895-3/822018529/1481/307.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50029-4--cesec39_1386. Accessed March 27, 2009.
  5. Schlossberg D. Arthropods and leeches. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128370895-5/822078666/1492/1286.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50385-2--cesec27_16133. Accessed March 27, 2009.
  6. Burkhart CN, et al. Fomite transmission in head lice. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2007;56:1044.
  7. FDA approves benzyl alcohol lotion for the treatment of head lice. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01993.html. Accessed April 15, 2009.
  8. Head lice: Prevention and control. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/lice/prevent.html. Accessed March 27, 2009.

DS00953

June 6, 2009

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