Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRecognizing BitesCausesRemovalTreatmentRidding Them
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Recognizing Bites
Causes
Removal
Treatment
Ridding Them
This article discusses how to recognize body lice bites, where body lice come from, and tips for getting rid of body lice and soothing symptoms.
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Recognizing Body Lice Bites
Bites can be found anywhere on the body, but are most often found on the upper thighs, groin, and waist.Bites can appear red, purple, or brown depending on skin tone.The most common symptom and sensation isintense itching (pruritus).
ComplicationsBody lice bites can be so itchy and irritating that people often scratch them and develop sores. Since body lice carry bacteria, bites and sores are at risk of causing a bacterial infectionand anallergic reaction. If body lice go untreated, the bites can cover a large area and cause skin thickening or discoloration (darkening).
Complications
Body lice bites can be so itchy and irritating that people often scratch them and develop sores. Since body lice carry bacteria, bites and sores are at risk of causing a bacterial infectionand anallergic reaction. If body lice go untreated, the bites can cover a large area and cause skin thickening or discoloration (darkening).
How to Tell if You Have Lice: Symptoms and Pictures
Where Do Body Lice Come From?
There are several ways in which lice are acquired and transmitted (passed from person to person).
Environment and Living Situations
Body lice are more resistant to environmental conditions than head orpubic lice. They can survive in lower-humidity environments and live for more than 72 hours outside their host. Body lice infestations are less frequent than other lice infestations but do occur.
Body lice are found in living situations in which personal care and clothes washing are not regular. People experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to body lice.Body lice are associated with poor hygiene, lack of sanitation, overcrowding, and damp and cold weather.
How Often Should You Shower?
Transmission
Body lice are transmitted through contact with someone who has body lice. This can be from skin-to-skin contact or from sharing personal items.These include clothing, beds and bedding, and towels.
Body lice can spread diseases including:
Body lice can spread quickly in:
Resources for People Experiencing HomelessnessIf you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, resources, services, and support are available from the following sources:Adults, teens, and children: Dial 211 orvisit 211.orgto find temporary shelter and resources in your local community.Youth: Dial 800-786-2929 or visit1800runaway.comto access the National Runaway Safeline and learn about available services and support.Veterans: Dial 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838) or visit theNational Call Center for Homeless Veterans.All resources listed provide free and confidential information about services and support available. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, resources, services, and support are available from the following sources:Adults, teens, and children: Dial 211 orvisit 211.orgto find temporary shelter and resources in your local community.Youth: Dial 800-786-2929 or visit1800runaway.comto access the National Runaway Safeline and learn about available services and support.Veterans: Dial 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838) or visit theNational Call Center for Homeless Veterans.All resources listed provide free and confidential information about services and support available. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, resources, services, and support are available from the following sources:
All resources listed provide free and confidential information about services and support available. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What Is Stigma?
Body Lice Removal Steps to Start Now
There are ways toget rid of body liceas naturally as possible. Consider starting the following steps:
For body lice infestations, fumigating or dusting the environment with chemical insecticides can help control and prevent spreading.
FDA Says Popular Prescription Lice Treatment Can Be Sold Over-the-Counter
Treatment for Body Lice Skin Symptoms
Treatment for body lice skin symptoms may include using a skin cream or body wash containing:
To soothe itchy skin and get a better sleep, consider trying the following:
Causes and Treatments for Itchy Skin (Pruritus)
How to Know If Body Lice Are Gone
When body lice are gone, symptoms such as itching will resolve. You won’t see any lice in your clothing, bedding or on your body. No new bites will occur. When in doubt, consult with a healthcare provider.
The 9 Best Lice Treatments
Summary
Body lice live in clothing and on skin. They are mostly found in overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mount Sinai.Body lice information.MedlinePlus.Body lice.Cleveland Clinic.Lice (pediculosis).Amanzougaghene N, Fenollar F, Raoult D, Mediannikov O.Where are we with human lice? A review of the current state of knowledge.Front Cell Infect Microbiol.2020;9:472328. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00474Amanzougaghene N, Fenollar F, Raoult D, Mediannikov O.Where are we with human lice? A review of the current state of knowledge.Front Cell Infect Microbiol.2020;9:472328. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00474Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Body lice.Medline Plus.Body lice.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD).Body lice.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to relieve itchy skin.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mount Sinai.Body lice information.MedlinePlus.Body lice.Cleveland Clinic.Lice (pediculosis).Amanzougaghene N, Fenollar F, Raoult D, Mediannikov O.Where are we with human lice? A review of the current state of knowledge.Front Cell Infect Microbiol.2020;9:472328. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00474Amanzougaghene N, Fenollar F, Raoult D, Mediannikov O.Where are we with human lice? A review of the current state of knowledge.Front Cell Infect Microbiol.2020;9:472328. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00474Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Body lice.Medline Plus.Body lice.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD).Body lice.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to relieve itchy skin.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mount Sinai.Body lice information.MedlinePlus.Body lice.Cleveland Clinic.Lice (pediculosis).Amanzougaghene N, Fenollar F, Raoult D, Mediannikov O.Where are we with human lice? A review of the current state of knowledge.Front Cell Infect Microbiol.2020;9:472328. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00474Amanzougaghene N, Fenollar F, Raoult D, Mediannikov O.Where are we with human lice? A review of the current state of knowledge.Front Cell Infect Microbiol.2020;9:472328. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00474Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Body lice.Medline Plus.Body lice.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD).Body lice.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to relieve itchy skin.
Mount Sinai.Body lice information.
MedlinePlus.Body lice.
Cleveland Clinic.Lice (pediculosis).
Amanzougaghene N, Fenollar F, Raoult D, Mediannikov O.Where are we with human lice? A review of the current state of knowledge.Front Cell Infect Microbiol.2020;9:472328. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00474
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Body lice.
Medline Plus.Body lice.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD).Body lice.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to relieve itchy skin.
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