Headlice - Pohl Boskamp

› Respiratory system › Parasites › Headlice › Infection and diagnosis › Treatment options › Urinary tract › Cardiovascular system › Gastrointestinal tract › Sedation/Sleep

The head louse (scientific name Pediculus humanus capitis) is as old as humankind. As soon we members of Homo sapiens shed our fur, the louse was free

to conquer the world on the heads of our ancestors. Even today, infestations with head lice are still the second most common childhood ailment after the common cold.

The head louse begins life as an egg. The fertilised female uses a water-insoluble glue to fix its oval, approx. 0.8 mm-long eggs (called nits) near the point where the hairemerges from the scalp. The eggs are protected by a chitin coating.

Headlice have 6 powerful legs with claws, so that they don’t fall off the head of their host. The louse uses these to hold on tightly to the hair, making it difficult to remove. Thanks to the hook-shaped claws, the louse can also clamber from head to head and does this quite nimbly – but it cannot fly or jump.

Apart from these highly developed extremities, the anatomy of the head louse is not overly complex. For example, the respiratory system of the louse consists of a simple, air-filled system of tubes which branch off into smaller and smaller tubes throughout the body to supply the louse with oxygen.

Incoming and outgoing air passes through 14 breathing openings located on the sides of the louse’s body. This simple breathing system is the point of attack for the anti-lice agent NYDA^® (scientific name ‘pediculicide’) which physically coats and smothers the lice.

Head lice are parasites that live only on humans. Without human blood, which they drink every 2–3 hours, they dry out quickly and generally die during the course of the day. Each time it feeds, the louse introduces its own saliva into its ‘victim's’ body at the same time to stop the blood coagulating.

The human immune system mounts a campaign against constituents of the louse saliva, and the result is acute itching of the scalp. Also, head lice can only reproduce on human scalp with hair. Something they do at a furious rate. The head louse begins life as an egg. The fertilised female uses a water-insoluble glue to fix its oval, approx. 0.8 mm-long eggs (called nits) near the point where the hair

emerges from the scalp. The eggs are protected by a chitin coating. The larvae emerge after seven or eight days. It then takes nine to twelve days for them to turn into sexually mature lice. Two to three days after mating, the female starts depositing her eggs. In the course of her life, a single female can produce up to 300 eggs.

› Home › Imprint

› Business

› At a glance

› The family business

› Our guiding principles

› Social responsibility

› Cardiovascular system

› Gastrointestinal tract

› Job & Career

› Contact

Baldurat^® – Active ingredient: dry extract of valerian root (3 - 6 : 1) [extraction agent: 70% ethanol (V/V)]. Indicated for the treatment of restlessness and disturbances in going sleep of nervous origin. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, D-25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (July 2001).

Nitrolingual akut^® Spray – Active ingredient: glyceryl trinitrate. Composition: 1 metered dose oromucusal spray contains 0.4 mg glyceryl trinitrate. Other ingredients: medium-chain triglycerides and partial glycerides, ethanol anhydrans, peppermint oil. Indications: prophylaxis and treatment of acute attacks of angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, acute left-ventricular heart failure, catheter-induced coronary spasms. Contraindications: hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients or other nitrate compounds, acute circulatory failure, cardiogenic shock, marked hypotension (syst BP < 90 mmHg), intake of phosphodiesterase inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension. Caution in cases of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial tamponade, low filling pressures (e.g. in cases of acute MI; avoid syst BP < 90 mmHg), aortic and/or mitral stenosis, orthostatic circulatory disorders, increased intracranial pressure. During pregnancy and breast-feeding, only after careful consideration whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Side effects: headache very frequent at the start of treatment, frequent hypotension with reflex tachycardia, drowsiness, dizziness and weakness. Occasional nausea, vomiting, flush, allergic skin reactions, marked decreases in blood pressure with exacerbation of angina pectoris symptoms, bradycardia with fainting. Very rare, exfoliative dermatitis. Development of tolerance and cross tolerance possible, avoid continuous high dosing. Hypoxaemia and ischaemia may occur in CHD. The ability to drive vehicles or operate machines may be impaired, especially in combination with alcohol consumption. PO. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (1).

GeloMyrtol^® forte – Active ingredient: distillate of a mixture of rectified eucalyptus oil, rectified sweet orange oil, rectified myrtle oil and rectified lemon oil (66:32:1:1) (Myrtol^® standardized). Indicated for acute and chronic bronchitis and inflammation of the maxillary sinuses (sinusitis). For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (01/6).

Laxopol^® 1.0 g – Active ingredient: refined castor oil. For the short-term treatment of constipation. Medical advice should sought for constipation that lasts for longer than 1 week. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (6).

GeloBronchial^®-Saft – Active ingredient: liquid extract of thyme. Indications: common cold like disorders of the airways with catarrh, alleviation of symptoms of bronchitis. Warning: Ingredients include invert sugar syrup and 6.3 Vol.-% alcohol. Diabetics: sugar content of 0.75 BEU per 15 mL syrup. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (01/11).

GeloDurat^®-Salbe – Active ingredient: eucalyptus oil and levomenthol. For external use to alleviate the symptoms of respiratory tract infections (common cold, hoarseness and uncomplicated bronchial catarrh). For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (01/5).

Nitrolingual^® infus. – Active ingredient: glycerol trinitrate. Composition: 1 ml infusion solution contains 1 mg glycerol trinitrate. Other ingredients: glucose monohydrate (Ph.Eur.), 10% hydrochloric acid solution (for pH adjustment), water for injections. Indications: severe angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, acute left-ventricular heart failure, hypertensive crisis with acute heart failure, controlled hypotension. Contraindications: hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients or other nitrate compounds, acute circulatory failure, cardiogenic shock, toxic pulmonary oedema, marked hypotension (syst BP < 90 mmHg), disorders with increased intracranial pressure, intake of phosphodiesterase inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension. Caution in cases of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial tamponade, low filling pressures (e.g. in cases of acute MI; avoid syst BP < 90 mmHg), aortic and/or mitral valve stenosis, tendency to orthostatic circulatory disorders, severe liver or kidney disturbances. During pregnancy and breast-feeding, only if prescribed by a physician. Side effects: headache very frequent at the start of treatment; hypotension with reflex tachycardia may occur. Occasional nausea, vomiting, flush, allergic skin reactions, marked decreases in blood pressure with exacerbation of angina pectoris symptoms, bradycardia with fainting and synopses. Very rare, exfoliative dermatitis. Development of tolerance and cross tolerance possible, avoid continuous high dosing. Hypoxaemia and ischaemia may occur in CHD. The ability to drive vehicles or operate machines may be impaired, especially in combination with alcohol consumption. PO. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (July 2008).

GeloVital^® Lebertrankapseln – 0.5 g/1.0 g – Active ingredient: Codliveroil for general strengthening and invigoration. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (01/5/2).

GeloNasal^®- 0.05%/-Spray 0.10% – Active ingredient: xylometazoline hydrochloride. Indications: for local application in the nose. Contains the alpha-sympathomimetic xylometazoline. This substance narrows the blood vessels thereby reducing swelling of the mucous membrane. GeloNasal^®-Tropfen 0.05%: for children between 2 and 6 years; GeloNasal^®-Spray 0.10%: for schoolchildren older than 6 years and adults. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt, Germany (01/13/13).

Gelo^®-Bronchialtee 400 – Active ingredients: dry extract of thyme (6.0 – 10.0:1) [70% (V/V) ethanol] and ivy leaves (4.0 – 7.5:1) [30% (V/V) ethanol]. Indications: common cold and upper respiratory tract infections (catarrh), alleviation of symptoms of bronchitis. For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist. G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG, 25551 Hohenlockstedt (01/01).