Phthirus pubis crawling along the palpebral margin

Abstract

Abstract Background: A seemingly ordinary but rare case of ocular itching in a 7-year-old boy was reported, providing clear images of eye abnormalities and microorganisms crawling along the palpebral margin. These microorganisms were ultimately confirmed as pubic ice by pathogenic microbiology experts. We believe that our work has significant implications for improving childcare and home care, which is of great interest to the readers in this area. Case presentation: A 7-year-old child with ocular itching was reported. Previously, he was diagnosed with contact dermatitis by general practitioners and was treated with tobramycin-dexamethasone eye ointment. On ophthalmic examination, slit lamp examination revealed insect eggs attached to the palpebral margins and eyelash roots of both upper eyelids, and active crab-like insect bodies crawling along the palpebral margin of both eyelids. These microorganisms were confirmed by pathogenic microbiology experts to be pubic lice. After the parasites were removed and the eyelashes were cut off, tobramycin and dexamethasone eye ointment were applied to bilateral eyelid margins. No lice were found again and the itching symptoms completely disappeared after one week of follow-up. Conclusion: Pediatric cases of phthiriasis palpebrarum without child sexual abuse are rare. Even in children without sexual contact, there is the potential for the development of phthiriasis palpebrarum, which requires more attention from ophthalmologists, general practitioners and dermatologists.