J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2011 Oct;52(10):1222-1226. 10.3341/jkos.2011.52.10.1222.

A Case of Phthiriasis Palpebrarum Treated with Tea Tree Oil in a Child

• Park IK
• Koo H
• Chun YS

• KMID: 2215006
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2011.52.10.1222

Abstract

PURPOSE
The authors of the present study report a case of phthiriasis palpebrarum treated with petrolatum ointment and tea tree oil in a 12-month-old boy.
CASE SUMMARY
A bluish-gray macule and blood clots were found on the central portion of the upper eyelid of a boy who had rubbed his eyelid vigorously 1 week prior. Several 0.5 mm sized brownish-gray nits and 1.6 mm sized lice on the eyelashes were visible and was diagnosed with phthiriasis palpebrarum after light microscopic examination. The nits and lice were gently removed mechanically with the help of a white petrolatum ointment (Vaseline) and the eyelashes were cleaned with 50% tea tree oil. Nits and lice were successfully eradicated without recurrence 10 days after daily treatment with petrolatum ointment and 10% tea tree oil eyelash cleansing.

Keyword

Petrolatum ointment; Phthiriasis palpebrarum; Phthirus pubis; Tea tree oil

MeSH Terms

Child
Eyelashes
Eyelids
Humans
Infant
Light
Pediculus
Petrolatum
Phthiraptera
Recurrence
Tea
Tea Tree Oil
Petrolatum
Tea
Tea Tree Oil

Figure

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  Figure 1. Phthiriasis palpebrarum. The patient had a bluish-gray discoloration of upper eyelid with blood clots (red circle) and a nit (arrow) on the eyelashes (A). A louse (1.6 mm, arrow head) and two nits (0.5 mm, arrow) were removed mechanically using petrolatum ointment (B, scale bar: 1 mm).

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  Figure 2. Microscopic view of a louse (A, ×40) and a nit (B, ×100). A nit is tightly attached to the shaft of the cilia with cement.

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