Body lice

• Alternative Names

  Lice - body

• Causes, incidence, and risk factors

  Lice feed on human blood and live in the seams and folds of clothing. They lay their eggs and deposit waste matter on the skin and clothing.

  You can catch body lice if you come in direct contact with someone who has lice, or with infected clothing, towels, or bedding.

  Body lice are bigger than other types of lice.

  You are more likely to get body lice if you have poor hygiene or live in close (overcrowded) conditions. Infestation is unlikely to last on anyone who bathes regularly, and who has at least weekly access to freshly laundered clothing and bedding.

  If the lice fall off of a person, they die within about 5 - 7 days at room temperature.

• Symptoms
  • Intense itching
  • Red bumps on the skin
  • Areas around the waist or groin may become thickened or discolored when lice have been present for a long time
• Signs and tests

  Your doctor can usually diagnose this condition by looking at your skin and clothing.

  • Full-grown lice are the size of a sesame seed, have six legs, and are tan to greyish-white.
  • Nits are lice eggs. They will most often be seen in the clothing of someone with lice, most commonly around the waist and in the armpits.

  Persons with body lice should also be checked for head and pubic lice.

• Treatment

  Body lice live primarily in clothing. Destroy or carefully wash infected clothing in hot water (at least 130 degrees F), then machine dry using a hot cycle.

  In addition, your doctor may recommend a prescription cream or wash. However, hygiene and washng clothes, bedding, and towels are most important and are usually enough.

• Expectations (prognosis)

  With effective treatment, the lice can be completely eliminated.

• Complications

  Another (secondary) skin infection may occur from scratching. In rare cases, body lice may carry uncommon diseases, such as relapsing or trench fever. Because body lice is contagious, other family members may want to be treated.

• Calling your health care provider

  Call your health care provider if you have lice in your clothing or persistent itchiness.

• Prevention

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

• References

  Diaz JH. Lice (pediculosis). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 293.

  Body lice: Fact sheet: CDC. Page last reviewed: May 16, 2008. Accessed December 11, 2009.

Review Date: 12/11/2009

Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.