Focus on Safety Jacqueline Pilzer, Pharm. Internally Peer Reviewed by Michael B. Edmond. M.D., M.P H., Assistant Professor, Division of General Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Department of Internal Medicine Various treatment choices are available for the eradication of lice and scabies. Itching is the most common symptom of this infestation. The egg of the louse, also called the nit, can be seen deposited on the hair 3 to 4 mm from the scalp.
Head lice are common in child care situations and in school-aged children.
Transmission can occur by direct contact with infested individuals or indirectly by contact with their personal belongings such as combs, brushes, and hats. Pubic lice infestations are common in adolescents and young adults and are transmitted though sexual contact. Body lice are generally found on persons with poor hygiene. The cream rinse should be applied after the hair has been washed with shampoo, rinsed with water and towel dried. An amount of cream rinse sufficient to saturate the hair and scalp is applied and allowed to remain on the hair for 10 minutes before rinsing off with water.