Abstract
Pediculosis is a common condition caused by an infestation of head and body louse (ectoparasites) and remains a public health concern. Generally, infestation presents as pruritus in children and has a benign course, but there have been a handful of cases reported in the literature describing severe iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in high-risk groups such as children, history of psychiatric disorder including depression, and low socioeconomic status. Though an uncommonly encountered etiology of anemia, the aim of this case is to increase awareness of a rare cause of severe anemia from an ectoparasites affecting a high risk population, even in developed countries.
Highlights
Pediculosis is a common condition caused by an infestation of head and body louse [1,2]
How ever, in rare severe cases, it can manifest as iron deficiency anemia (IDA) without any underlying evidence of bleeding
The goal of this case is to highlight a rare complication of IDA and the management of pediculosis-associated anemia
Summary
Pediculosis is a common condition caused by an infestation of head and body louse [1,2]. Mallophaga feed on skin debris, hair fragments, and sebaceous secretions found on the skin surface of both birds and mam mals; while, Anoplura feed exclusively on mammals by piercing the skin of their host with sensitive retractable stylets designed to ingest the host’s blood [3]. Infestation can be asymptomatic, or involve tingling sensations of the skin, irritability, insomnia, and pruritus [6]. How ever, in rare severe cases, it can manifest as iron deficiency anemia (IDA) without any underlying evidence of bleeding. The goal of this case is to highlight a rare complication of IDA and the management of pediculosis-associated anemia
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