Body lice

Causes and Risks:
There are three types of lice: head lice , body lice, and pubic lice . Body lice may be 2 to 3 mm long, whereas head and public lice are much smaller. They feed on human blood, and they lay their eggs and deposit their fecal matter on the skin (they may also lay their eggs in clothing). Infestation by body lice causes intense itching . When body lice are not feeding on blood, they live in the seams and folds of clothing. Subsequently, body lice are transmitted by contact with infected clothing and bedding as well as by direct contact with an infected person.

Risk factors include close, overcrowded living conditions, and poor hygiene. Lice are often spread among school children.

Prevention:
Good personal hygiene and effective treatment of infected persons and bed clothing will prevent lice from spreading to others.

Symptoms:
  • intense itching
  • lice on clothing (look in the seams)
  • eggs (nits) on hair shafts or in the seams of clothing



Signs and Tests:
Examination is sufficient to determine the presence of lice. The lice infestation may be confined to the body; however, people with body lice should be checked for lice on the scalp ( head lice ) and lice on the groin area ( pubic lice ).

Treatment:
Over-the-counter and prescription lotions and shampoos are available. These include Kwell lotion (available by prescription only) and over-the-counter medications such as Nix and Rid. All infected and hairy parts of the body must be treated. Bed clothing, personal clothing, combs, brushes, and hats must be washed in hot soapy water to prevent re-infestation.

Prognosis:
With effective treatment, the lice can be completely eliminated.

Complications:

  • secondary skin infection from scratching
  • spread of lice to others



Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Apply home treatment and call the health care provider if symptoms persist after treatment. Try over-the-counter shampoos and lotions first; if these are ineffective ask your health care provider for a prescription medication.


This is a magnified view of a body louse. Lice produce itching and a characteristic excoriated skin rash (looks like a scrape). They may also carry relapsing fever, typhus, and trench fever. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)



Body lice often lay their eggs in the seams of clothing. These are magnified lice eggs deposited along a seam. This is a good reason for not sharing clothing. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)



These lice are Pediculus humanus, or body lice. Other types of lice infest the scalp, head (Pediculus humanus capitis), and the pubic area (Rhthirus pubis). Some body lice may carry diseases such as epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, or trench fever. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)



This is a magnified view of a female body louse with larvae. Lice cause itching and a characteristic excoriated skin rash (looks like a scrape). They may also transmit diseases, including relapsing fever, typhus, and trench fever. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)



This picture compares the relative size and shape of the head louse and the pubic louse.