Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewTypes of LiceSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
Types of Lice
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Did you know that your eyelashes are vulnerable to lice infestation? Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp but occasionally are found living on the eyebrows and eyelashes. Becausehead licespread easily from person to person, cases are seen often in schools, affecting all socioeconomic groups. Do you know how to spot eyelash lice?
Verywell / Laura Porter
While lice are not dangerous, they happen to be extremely annoying and contagious. Lice are wingless insects that feed off of the blood and skin of people. An adult louse may attach itself to the skin around the eyelashes. then lay eggs or nits. The nits are attached to the shaft of the hair itself and hatch six to 10 days later. Within 15 days, the nits grow into adults and lay more eggs.
Lice varietiesare categorized based on their shape and area of infestation.
Although assumptions should never be made, lice infestation of the eyelashes and eyelids is a manifestation of pubic louse infestation. Recurrent eyelash lice infestation in children can be an indication of child abuse.
The most obvious symptom of a lice infestationis itching. People with eyelash lice may experience the followingsymptoms:
Does Vaseline Help Your Eyelashes Grow Longer and Thicker?
Getting rid of eyelash lice is not usually an easy task. You will need to find the source of the lice which may include your pillow or bedding.Keep in mind that lice are very easily spread from person to person, so you’ll want to stay away from close contact with other people until you completely eliminate it.
Treatment of eyelash lice is focused on physically removing the lice with fine forceps. The nits must also be removed, if possible. Prescription ophthalmic-grade petrolatum ointment may be prescribed (it differs from over-the-counter petroleum jelly, like Vaseline).It should be applied to the margins of the eyelids two to four times a day for 10 days.
Commercially prepared chemicals and shampoos are not generally recommended to treat eyelash lice for fear of causing irritation or damage to the eye.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Turgut B, Kurt J, Catak O, Demir T.Phthriasis palpebrarum mimicking lid eczema and blepharitis.J Ophthalmol. 2009;2009:803951. doi:10.1155/2009/803951Ryan MF.Phthiriasis palpebrarum infection: a concern for child abuse.J Emerg Med. 2014;46(6):e159-62. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.11.090Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pubic “crab” lice.Cleveland Clinic.Pubic lice (crabs): management and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pubic “crab” lice: treatment.Additional ReadingCatania, Louis J.Primary Care of the Anterior Segment, 2nd Ed. Appleton & Lange.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Turgut B, Kurt J, Catak O, Demir T.Phthriasis palpebrarum mimicking lid eczema and blepharitis.J Ophthalmol. 2009;2009:803951. doi:10.1155/2009/803951Ryan MF.Phthiriasis palpebrarum infection: a concern for child abuse.J Emerg Med. 2014;46(6):e159-62. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.11.090Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pubic “crab” lice.Cleveland Clinic.Pubic lice (crabs): management and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pubic “crab” lice: treatment.Additional ReadingCatania, Louis J.Primary Care of the Anterior Segment, 2nd Ed. Appleton & Lange.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Turgut B, Kurt J, Catak O, Demir T.Phthriasis palpebrarum mimicking lid eczema and blepharitis.J Ophthalmol. 2009;2009:803951. doi:10.1155/2009/803951Ryan MF.Phthiriasis palpebrarum infection: a concern for child abuse.J Emerg Med. 2014;46(6):e159-62. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.11.090Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pubic “crab” lice.Cleveland Clinic.Pubic lice (crabs): management and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pubic “crab” lice: treatment.
Turgut B, Kurt J, Catak O, Demir T.Phthriasis palpebrarum mimicking lid eczema and blepharitis.J Ophthalmol. 2009;2009:803951. doi:10.1155/2009/803951
Ryan MF.Phthiriasis palpebrarum infection: a concern for child abuse.J Emerg Med. 2014;46(6):e159-62. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.11.090
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pubic “crab” lice.
Cleveland Clinic.Pubic lice (crabs): management and treatment.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Pubic “crab” lice: treatment.
Catania, Louis J.Primary Care of the Anterior Segment, 2nd Ed. Appleton & Lange.
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