In life, the little things do matter. A parasite that attaches itself to your skin or clothing is certainly one of those little things that will make a big impression on your priority list. Because body lice, scabies, and ticks take time and patience to evict, prevention is the best medicine. In this article, we will show you hot to avoid those microscopic invaders, including:
In bedding, body hair, and in the seams and folds of clothing is where body lice lives because your body heat enables the eggs to hatch. Body lice, or Pediculus humanus humanus, spreads through direct contact between people, or through contact with bedding, clothing or anywhere else this parasite can survive. A lice-killing shampoo or lotion applied over the entire body will kill body lice, but women who are pregnant or breast-feeding shouldn't necessarily use these products.
Scabies, an infestation of a microscopic mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei, spreads through skin contact between people or when they share towels, bedding, or clothing. The infection produces pimple-like bumps or a skin rash, and itching that becomes seemingly unbearable at night. You can fight scabies with prescription lotions, though if you're allergic to the mite, the itching might continue for days, or a few weeks.
Ticks prefer attaching to the skin of animals or reptiles to suck on their host's blood, but they will settle for humans too. These tiny brown mites are initially as small as a pencil tip and difficult to see, yet deer ticks in particular, which are smaller than dog ticks, can transmit diseases including Lyme disease. If you don't treat them, ticks can lead to infections in the heart, joints and even the nervous system. Ticks can be found in every state, but are particularly common in New England, parts of the Midwest and northern California.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.