More than skin deep: Severe iron deficiency anemia and eosinophilia associated with pediculosis capitis and corporis infestation

Abstract

Pediculosis is caused by subspecies of the Anoplura insect: Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice), Pediculus humanus corporis (body lice), and Phthirus pubis (pubic lice). These obligate ectoparasites exclusively feed on human blood. Hematologic derangements are not commonly recognized complications of pediculosis. We describe a case of severe, symptomatic iron deficiency anemia and eosinophilia in the setting of a generalized pruritic rash found to be consistent with pediculosis corporis and capitis.