Persistent itchy eyes, old lady discovered eyelash lice

After 3 years of persistent itchy eyelids and visiting many places without success, a 68-year-old patient in Hanoi was suddenly discovered to have eyelash lice, a type of lice that usually resides in the hair and body hair.

Eyelash lice live in body hair and fur.

Recently, the patient, Mrs. BTM, 68 years old, residing in Hanoi, came to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases for examination after a long period of persistent itchy eyelids.

The patient said that she often had a gritty eye and a lot of eye discharge. The itchy eyes increased at night, causing her to lose sleep, seriously affecting her daily life. Before coming to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, although she had been examined in many places and been prescribed medication, the symptoms did not improve.

Microscopic image of eyelash lice in a 68-year-old patient

PHOTO: THANH DANG

Examining this patient, ophthalmologist Nguyen Thi Lanh (Department of Examination and Outpatient Treatment, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases) noted that Ms. M. had bilateral blepharitis, cataracts in both eyes, and a pterygium in her right eye.

The patient was diagnosed with chronic blepharitis, a fairly common disease that is prone to recurrence if not treated thoroughly.

To find the cause, the patient was ordered to do parasitic tests for dog tapeworm and strongyloidiasis (the patient's family has dogs and cats). At the same time, the doctor took a sample from the eyelid area to examine under a microscope. The test results showed that the patient was not infected with worms.

However, the doctor unexpectedly discovered that the patient had eyelash lice, which are very small parasites (about 1 - 2 mm), usually living at the base of the eyelashes. This type of lice is difficult to detect with the naked eye, only clearly visible when there are many or under a microscope. In addition to the eyes, eyelash lice can also appear in other hairy areas of the body such as hair, pubic hair, and eyebrows.

After screening, the patient had no evidence of pubic lice.

With the cause discovered, the patient was instructed to clean the eyelids, use specialized eye wipes, apply eye ointment to reduce irritation and take medication to treat parasites. At the same time, clean the entire living environment such as bed, mat, blanket, sheet, pillow, mattress..., where lice eggs can survive and cause reinfection. The patient was scheduled for a follow-up visit to check the effectiveness of the treatment and monitor the risk of recurrence.

According to Dr. Lanh, eyelash lice are mainly transmitted through close contact between people, or when sharing personal items such as towels, clothes, bed sheets...

Doctors also note that people with symptoms of prolonged eye itching, increased discharge, gritty eyes, red eyelids, recurring inflammation, or a history of contact with dogs, cats, or pets should proactively go to the doctor for early diagnosis and timely treatment.

It is important to keep your hands clean before touching your eyes, not share personal items with others, and keep your bedding and living environment clean. Although not life-threatening, prolonged inflammation can reduce your quality of life, risk damaging your eyelids, and affect your vision.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngua-mat-dai-dang-cu-ba-phat-hien-ran-mi-185250910142812424.htm