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Body lice
Lice - body; Pediculosis corporis; Vagabond disease
Body lice are tiny insects (scientific name is Pediculus humanus corporis ) that are spread through close contact with other people.
Two other types of lice are:
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Head lice
Head lice
Head lice are tiny insects that live on the skin covering the top of your head (scalp). Head lice may also be found in eyebrows and eyelashes. Lice ...
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Pubic lice
Pubic lice
Pubic lice are tiny insects that infect the pubic hair area and lay eggs there. These lice can also be found in armpit hair and eyebrows.
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Causes
Body lice live in the seams and folds of clothing. They feed on human blood and lay their eggs and deposit waste matter on the skin and clothing.
- They can live in clothing for up to 1 month.
- Lice die within 5 to 7 days at room temperature if they fall off a person.
You can catch body lice if you come in direct contact with someone who has lice. You can also get lice from infected clothing, towels, or bedding.
Body lice are bigger than other types of lice.
You are more likely to get body lice if you do not bathe and wash your clothes often or live in close (overcrowded) conditions. Lice are unlikely to last if you:
- Bathe regularly
- Wash clothes and bedding at least once a week
Placing clothes in a hot dryer helps kill lice on clothing.
Symptoms
Lice cause severe itching. The itching is an allergic reaction to the saliva from the insect's bite. Itching is usually worse around the waist, under the arms, and in places where clothing is tighter and closer to the body (such as near bra straps).
You may have red bumps on your skin. The bumps may scab or become crusty after scratching.
Skin around the waist or groin may become thickened or change color if you have been infected with lice in that area for a long time.
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will look at your skin and clothing for signs of lice.
- Full-grown lice are the size of a sesame seed, have 6 legs, and are tan to grayish-white.
- Nits are lice eggs. They will most often be seen in the clothing of someone with lice, usually around the waist and in the armpits.
You should also be checked for head and pubic lice if you have body lice.
Treatment
To get rid of lice, take the following important steps:
- Bathe regularly to get rid of lice and their eggs.
- Change your clothes often.
- Wash clothes in hot water (at least 130°F/54°C) and machine dry using the hot cycle.
- Items that can't be washed, such as stuffed toys, mattresses, or furniture, can be thoroughly vacuumed to get rid of lice and eggs that have fallen off the body.
Your provider may prescribe a skin cream or a wash that contains permethrin, malathione, or benzyl alcohol. If your case is severe, the provider may prescribe medicine that you take by mouth.
Outlook (Prognosis)
By taking the above mentioned steps, lice can be completely destroyed.
Possible Complications
Scratching can make your skin more likely to become infected. Because body lice spread easily to others, people you live with and sexual partners need to be treated as well. In rare cases, lice carry uncommon diseases, such as trench fever, which may be spread to humans.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if you have lice in your clothing or itching that does not go away.
Prevention
If you know someone is infested with body lice, avoid direct contact with that person, the persons' clothing and bedding.
References
Diaz JH. Lice (pediculosis). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 294.
Gropper JR, Levitt JO. Pediculosis. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Berth-Jones J, Coulson I, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 176.
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Body louse - illustration
This is a magnified view of a body louse. Lice produce itching and a characteristic skin rash, which looks like a scrape. Lice may also carry organisms that cause relapsing fever, typhus, and trench fever. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Body louse
illustration
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Lice, body with stool (Pediculus humanus) - illustration
These are Pediculus humanus, or body lice. Other types of lice infest the scalp, head (Pediculus humanus capitis), or the pubic area (Phthirus pubis). Some body lice may carry diseases such as epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, or trench fever. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) Pediculus humanus Pediculus humanus capitis Phthirus pubis
Lice, body with stool (Pediculus humanus)
illustration
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Body louse, female and larvae - illustration
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. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Body louse, female and larvae
illustration
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Head louse and pubic louse - illustration
This picture compares the relative size and shape of the head louse and the pubic louse.
Head louse and pubic louse
illustration
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Body louse - illustration
This is a magnified view of a body louse. Lice produce itching and a characteristic skin rash, which looks like a scrape. Lice may also carry organisms that cause relapsing fever, typhus, and trench fever. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Body louse
illustration
-
Lice, body with stool (Pediculus humanus) - illustration
These are Pediculus humanus, or body lice. Other types of lice infest the scalp, head (Pediculus humanus capitis), or the pubic area (Phthirus pubis). Some body lice may carry diseases such as epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, or trench fever. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) Pediculus humanus Pediculus humanus capitis Phthirus pubis
Lice, body with stool (Pediculus humanus)
illustration
-
Body louse, female and larvae - illustration
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. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Body louse, female and larvae
illustration
-
Head louse and pubic louse - illustration
This picture compares the relative size and shape of the head louse and the pubic louse.
Head louse and pubic louse
illustration
Review Date: 7/23/2015
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
