Treatment of childhood phthiriasis palpebrarum with systemic ivermectin

Phthiriasis palpebrarum is an ectoparasitosis of the eyelashes due to infestation with Phthirus pubis, also known as crab louse. It may affect children or adults and present with different clinical symptoms such as eyelid itching, pain, or gritty sensation. Adult lice and nits can be detected by a careful clinical examination and confirmed by dermoscopy. The treatment of phthiriasis palpebrarum may be in the form of topical application of ovidicidal formulations or physical agents, which may be combined with systemic ivermectin.1 Herein, we present a rare case of unilateral phthiriasis palpebrarum affecting an 8-year-old child with an excellent response to oral ivermectin.