Pediculosis Corporis and the Homeless

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Abstract
Infestations of lice and scabies are not a popular topic among health professionals. The topic tends to elicit automatic itching and other unpleasant sensations. Unfortunately, this unpopular problem is especially prevalent in both rural and urban areas. One of the most victimized populations in the urban areas is the homeless (Gurevitch, 1985). The homeless population is particularly prone to infestations from scabies and lice (Brickner et al., 1986). This ever-increasing group fills the day drop-in centers and evening overnight shelters to capacity. The centers and shelters are usually crowded and sometimes not very clean. The chairs and beds are used by many individuals. Shelter and center operators confined by limited finances, space, and employees are not always able to adequately cleanse or eliminate lice, scabies, and nits. Hence, the risk of infestation and reinfestation continues to flourish. There are three types of lice: head lice (pediculosis capitis), pubic lice (pediculosis pubis), and body lice (pediculosis corporis). Head lice are a frequent problem among children, and pubic lice occur among the sexually active, but body lice are relatively uncommon in Western society (Gurevitch, 1985; Parish, Nutting, & Schwartzman, 1983). That is, body lice are a relatively uncommon phenomena except for the homeless population.

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