Book lice a trigger asthma 8212; study

Psocoptera, the scientific name for book lice, find their way into homes through food grains and thrive in old newspapers and books. They live off the paper and glue used to hold books together. They are found predominantly inlibraries, newspapers stalls, archives, printing presses and record rooms.

Dr Niphadkar gave the example of an asthma patient who suffered from acute and unexplained attacks of asthma. On a visit to her home, he found stacks of newspaper as she is an avid reader of these. When the newspaper was cleared away, the frequency and seveity of her attacks were reduced.

Similarly, severe asthma attacks suffered by another patient, a teller at a bank, was found to be a result of his handling disfigured and soiled currency notes.

Asthma patients should avoid stacking old books and newspapers to eliminate a potential breeding ground for book lice. If these have to be stored, they should be regularly cleaned.