Burrowing Lice??
by Syble
I am in my late sixties. While celebrating our 48th wedding anniversary last August at what we thought was nice hotel/motel, I picked up both head lice and pubic lice. Not realizing what the itching was about (had no experience with either), I treated with Dandruff shampoo, thinking I had dandruff. Vaginal itching I treated with premarin cream thinking it was just dryness. When no relief and getting worse, searched internet and had daughter-in-law give visual proof of the head lice. Treated both areas with Rid, Nix, Pronto, which helped for a day or so and then no relief. Went to family doctor and was treated with Pyermeten 5% and Ovide. Treated 3 times with each one of those and did not kill all of them. Then found that they had begun to burrow at base of hair follicle. First the tiny nit, then what looked like a tiny worm laying on the hair, then that hatched which at the base it would turn black and be the tiny black louse, bug(?) whatever. I find black bugs (dots) which bite on face, back, etc...and the tiny, tiny larva. Never many but if I check base of hair follicle in different areas.. I find the different stages of development. I have been dealing with this since last August. My family Dr. said he did not know what to do...was frustrated, said he had never heard of anything like this. Said I needed to see a dermatologist. Instead I have been trying natural remedies - Enzyme solution, Neem soap and oil, Tea Tree oil, Peppermint oil and soap, Coconut oil, olive oil, mixtures of shampoo and liquid soap with these added...and who knows what else... I get them down to less but never gone. They are still on face, underarms, leg hair, vaginal, eyebrows, eyelashes. I plucked all my eyebrows.. and shave everywhere else...nothing seems to end this.. Our house is spotless, I change bedding, I spray bedding. Never have reached a point that they are not still burrowed on hair on my body... I am thinking I need to go to dermatologist but after experience with family Dr. I don't want to..and am not sure she will have any idea of what to do. I am desperate for help. Oh, one piece of information, may mean nothing, but the entire floor including the room we stayed in had been rented by a huge party from Kuwait for one week and they vacated the morning of day we checked in.. I hope you can help. Hi Syble, You have my sincerest sympathies! I know it can be so frustrating when you are unable to figure out how to deal with a parasite problem. To be honest, I haven't heard of "burrowing lice," and based on your full description, it doesn't sound like head lice is the problem at all, or if it is, not the only problem. Head lice restrict themselves to the head. They wouldn't be biting your face, arms, legs, etc. Pubic lice are a greater possibility since they fit more of the description of symptoms you've experienced as well as attachment to the hair follicles. Body lice is another consideration, but they do not lay eggs on hair follicles. Rather, they lay their eggs in the seams of clothing. The description of "burrowing bugs" seem more like scabies, but they don't attach their eggs to the hair follicles like lice do, either. Instead they burrow under the skin and lay the eggs there. However, the treatments you've used should normally have taken care of any of those culprits if you followed the instructions faithfully. I'm not terribly surprised that the chemical based treatments didn't do the job, because it appears from many reports that these various bugs are building up a resistance to the chemicals that were once effective. However natural treatments are often quite successful. For instance, use of olive oil for head lice almost always works if used properly because lice can't build up resistance against suffocation - which is how it works. When using olive oil, the head and hair need to be completely saturated for at least 8 hours and then every 4 days the process is repeated for a couple of weeks to be sure all hatching eggs are dealt with too, because of the parasite's life cycle. If I had to 'guess' which skin parasite you are afflicted with, I would say it was crabs or pubic lice based on all of your description. However, it could very well be a skin parasite specifically brought over by the visitors from Kuwait. That seems highly likely given the circumstances. This parasite may be a different strain than we are accustomed to dealing with in the US. I know you mentioned using several natural remedies, but you didn't say how you applied them and for how long. You also didn't mention whether or not your husband has been afflicted with the "burrowing lice" as well. Parasites are usually passed quite easily from person to person, particularly when there is intimate contact or sleeping in the same bed. It would be a good idea for both of you to apply any treatment option you decide upon so that you aren't passing the infection back and forth. I honestly don't know how much help a dermatologist would be. That's a judgment call you'll have to make yourself. Because you describe the parasite as "burrowing" I would highly recommend that you treat yourself internally as well as externally. Internally: Consider using the following for natural internal parasite treatment... The Para 90 and Herbal Fiberblend contain a wide range of anti-parasitic and anti-fungal herbs that will help eliminate any parasites that are 'inside.' The Florafood is a combination of probiotics that will help build up the good bacteria in your body so that your immune system is strengthened to fight against infection. Externally: You mentioned already that you've tried some of the usual essential oils that are known to be effective against skin parasites (Tea Tree & Neem). You may consider trying one of those again or even trying Manuka Oil, Poke Root Oil, Rosemary Oil, or Lavender Oil. These are all known to help with scabies and various other skin parasites. Whichever essential oil you choose, it's a good idea to test a small area of the skin first to be sure you don't have an allergic reaction. Just because something is "natural" doesn't always mean you won't be allergic to it. An allergy would normally display itself as an itchy rash within a few hours of application. You can find high quality organic essential oils at reasonable prices at Mountain Rose Herbs. Try placing 10-15 drops of your chosen oil (or combination of oils) in your bath, and/or you can apply them directly to your skin mixed with some water or carrier oil (olive, almond, coconut oil). You don't want to get the oils in your eyes. For your eyelashes and eyebrows, try applying petroleum jelly a couple of times per day to smother any parasites and/or keep them from the area. Regardless of the type of skin parasite that is pestering you, basic principles apply of internal and external parasite treatment and cleansing. Syble, I do hope you are able to find some help through these recommendations. Please let me know if you decide to try any or all of them and what kind of results you received. It will be a great help to those who come along later and have the same experience as you. To your good health! Angie
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