Mites, lice and fleas. Ectoparasitoses in infancy and childhood

Ectoparasitoses or epizoonoses are skin disorders caused by animal parasites living on the body surface. Worldwide they are among the most frequent dermatoses, particularly in infancy and childhood. Distinguishing between conditions caused by permanent and temporary ectoparasites is important for the course and the required therapy. Permanent ectoparasites, such as scabies mite and head louse, spend all their life in or on the skin and have to be killed on the patient with suitable acaricides or pediculicides. In contrast, temporary ectoparasites, as animal mites or fleas, attack humans only for feeding. Symptomatic topical therapy is usually sufficient, eventually in combination with decontamination measures in the environment. This article summarizes skin conditions caused by mites, lice and fleas with special emphasis on distinctive features in children.