OhioHealth Online

Body lice are tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that may be found on your body and in the seams and folds of your clothing. Body lice are a different type from head lice and pubic lice, though they're all similar.

Body lice feed on your blood and can cause symptoms such as itching. Body lice are most common where people live in crowded and unhygienic conditions. The lice are easily spread by close contact and by sharing bedding or clothing.

If you have body lice, you generally don't need treatment. However, you must take measures such as properly treating your clothing and other items to avoid reinfesting yourself or spreading body lice to others.

Body lice can be found anywhere on your body, and particularly in the seams of your clothing. If you have body lice, you may experience:

• Itching. Intense itching on your body.
• Rash. You may have an allergic reaction to the lice bites, resulting in a rash.
• Lice or eggs (nits) on your body or in your clothing. Body lice feed on your blood but then return to your clothing to live and lay eggs. You may see lice on your body, but body lice primarily live in clothing, particularly the seams.
• Skin changes. If you're infested with body lice for a long time, you may experience skin changes such as thickening and discoloration in the areas most heavily infested.

When to see a doctor
Usually you can get rid of body lice by taking self-care steps that include properly washing and treating clothing and other infested items. However, it's a good idea to see your doctor to confirm that you have body lice. And in some cases, you may need a nonprescription shampoo, such as Rid or Nix, that's specifically made to kill lice.

However, see your doctor if:

• These steps don't eliminate the infestation
• You have infected hives or skin abrasions from scratching

Body lice are scientifically known as Pediculus humanus corporis. Body lice are a different type of lice from those involved in head lice and pubic lice infestations, though they're all similar. Body lice are the largest of the three types.

Body lice feed on your blood but primarily live and lay eggs (nits) in your clothing. Body lice infestations are caused by exposure to body lice or their eggs through:

• Direct contact with someone infested with body lice. This is why body lice are particularly common in people who live in crowded conditions.
• Contact with infested clothing or other items. Infested items may include clothing, bedding and towels. Body lice can survive on these personal items for as long as 30 days.

You are at higher risk of body lice if you:

• Live in crowded conditions
• Live in unhygienic conditions
• Have close contact with anyone who has body lice
• Share clothing, bedding or towels with someone who has body lice

Body lice infestations usually cause minimal problems. However, a body lice infestation sometimes leads to complications such as:

• Secondary infections. When body lice scratch and dig to feed on your blood, they may irritate your skin. If you scratch to alleviate itching, this also can irritate your skin. If your skin becomes raw from these irritations, other infections may develop.
• Skin changes. If you're infested with body lice for a long time, you may experience skin changes such as thickening and discoloration.
• Spread of disease. Although rare, body lice can carry and spread some bacterial diseases, such as typhus, relapsing fever or trench fever. All of these diseases can be treated with antibiotics. But if left untreated, they can result in death

Usually you can get rid of body lice by properly washing contaminated sheets, towels and clothes. In some cases you may need a nonprescription shampoo, such as Rid or Nix, that's specifically formulated to kill lice.

If these measures don't work, see your family doctor or a general practitioner. Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including when you might have been exposed to body lice, who you might have exposed, and what bedding or clothing items might be contaminated.
• Bring a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
• Bring a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For body lice, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• How do I treat body lice?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
• How do I rid my household items of body lice?
• Who do I need to inform about my condition?
• What other measures do I need to take to avoid reinfesting myself or others?
• Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
• What will determine whether I should plan for a follow-up visit?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment when you don't understand something.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may save time, allowing more time to cover points you want to address. Your doctor may ask:

• When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
• How were you exposed to body lice?
• Is there anyone you might have exposed to lice?
• How severe are your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime
If you think or know you have body lice, avoid sharing bedding, towels or clothing. Bathe and follow self-care measures including washing contaminated items in hot water.

You or your doctor can usually confirm a body lice infestation through a visual examination of your body and clothing items. The presence of eggs and moving lice confirms infestation.

Body lice are primarily treated by carefully washing yourself — as well as any contaminated items — with soap and water. In most cases, killing lice on your body isn't difficult. The challenge is getting rid of all the nits and avoiding contact with other lice at home.

If these measures don't work, you can try using an over-the-counter lotion or shampoo. If that doesn't work, your doctor can provide a prescription lotion.

Medications

• Over-the-counter lotions or shampoos (Nix, Rid, others). These products are usually the first line of defense. However, if nonprescription products don't kill the lice, your doctor can prescribe a stronger shampoo or lotion.
• Lindane. If over-the-counter treatments don't work, your doctor may prescribe lindane, a lotion treatment. Because of its toxicity, this is usually prescribed when other treatments fail. You apply lindane to the affected area and wash it off after eight hours. Your doctor may not recommend lindane if you weigh less than 110 pounds (50 kilograms), have used it in the past few months, are a women who is pregnant or breast-feeding, or are younger than 2 years of age. Side effects may include skin irritation, seizures and, rarely, death. Using lindane in higher than recommended amounts, or for longer than recommended, increases the risk of side effects.

Use these medications only as directed. Applying too much can cause red, irritated skin.

You can get rid of lice with a patient, thorough approach that involves cleaning yourself and any personal belongings that may be contaminated.

These steps may help you eliminate lice infestations:

• Wash contaminated items. Wash bedding, clothing and towels with hot, soapy water — at least 130 F (54 C) — and dry them at high heat for at least 20 minutes.
• Dry-clean unwashable items. If you can't wash an item, have it dry-cleaned.
• Consider lotions and shampoos. Choose from among several over-the-counter lotions and shampoos (Nix, Rid, others) designed to kill lice. Apply the product according to package instructions. Typically, you apply them and wash them off in five to 10 minutes. You may need to repeat treatment with the lotion or shampoo in seven to 10 days.
• Vacuum. Give floors and furniture a good vacuuming.

To prevent body lice infestation, avoid close physical contact or sharing bedding or clothing with anyone who has an infestation.