Phthiriasis palpebrarum: a diagnosis of keen observation and suspicion

Authors

  • Muthu Bharathi Sivasubramanian Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Potheri, Chennai, India
  • Ramachandran Ramakrishnan Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Potheri, Chennai, India
  • Murali Narasimhan Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Potheri, Chennai, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20200608

Keywords:

Dermatoscope, Eyelashes, Phthiriasis

Abstract

Phthiriasis palpebrarum is a rare cause of eyelid infestation and it mimics seborrheic blepharitis. A 60 years old female presented with itching in the eyelids and scalp. On initial examination scaling was present in her eyelashes and eyelid margin. On further examination some movements were noticed in her eyelashes. Immediately, dermatoscopic examination was done and was found to have multiple nits and multiple crab lice over her eyelashes. She was treated with oral ivermectin and trimming of eyelashes as advised by ophthalmologist. She improved in a week. Thus, phthiriasis palpebrarum can mimick seborrheic blepharitis and therefore high index of suspicion and detailed examination is necessary for appropriate diagnosis.

References

Khan T. Phthiriasis palpebrarum presenting as anterior blepharitis. Ind J Public Health. 2018;62(3):239.

Papageorgiou E, Kalampalikis S, Koltsidopoulos P, Tsironi E. Phthiriasis palpebrarum in three young siblings. Oxford Med Case Reports. 2018;2018(11):093.

Ashraf M, Waris A, Kumar A, Akhtar N. Case Report: A case of unilateral phthiriasis palpebrarum infestation involving the left eye. BMJ Case Reports. 2014; 2014.

Rundle PA, Hughes DS. Phthirus pubis infestation of the eyelids. Brit J Ophthalmol. 1993;77(12):815.

Griffiths C, Barker J, Bleiker T, Chalmers R, Creamer D. Rook's textbook of dermatology. 9th ed. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Inc.; 2016.

Jiang J, Shen T, Hong CY. A peculiar case of eye pruritus: phthiriasis palpebrarum initially misdiagnosed as common blepharitis. Inter J Ophthalmol. 2011;4(6):676.

Downloads

Published

2020-02-24

Issue

Section

Case Reports