Body Lice

Body lice are tiny bugs, about the size of a sesame seed. They live in clothes and bedding, and regularly crawl onto your skin to suck your blood. You're most likely to feel their bites on your neck, shoulders, armpits, waist, and groin – areas where clothes often rub against your skin.

These bugs are more common in places where many people live close together and hygiene isn't always easy, like refugee camps or shelters for the homeless. They can also spread if you touch clothes that someone with body lice has worn. Being bitten by body lice can sometimes cause infections, and in crowded places, this can lead to widespread problems.

If your clothes or bedding have body lice, you need to wash them in very hot soapy water and then dry them completely in a hot machine dryer.

Body lice bites are itchy. You might see small spots of blood and scabs where the lice have bitten you.

If better hygiene doesn't get rid of the lice, or if you get a skin infection from scratching the bites, see a doctor.

Body lice are like head lice, but they prefer different places to live. Head lice live in your hair and eat the tiny bits of skin on your scalp. Body lice, on the other hand, prefer your clothes and bedding. They need to get to your skin to drink your blood, so they often move between these places throughout the day.

Body lice eggs, called nits, are most often found in the seams of your clothes. You might get body lice if you spend a lot of time close to someone who already has them, or if you use clothing or bedding that's been in contact with body lice.

Body lice are more common in people living in crowded, unsanitary environments. This includes people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war or natural disasters, as well as those experiencing homelessness.

These situations often lead to close living quarters and less access to regular hygiene, making it easier for body lice to spread. Important to note, however, is that pets like dogs and cats do not carry or spread human body lice.

Body lice infestations usually aren't a big deal. But sometimes, they can lead to problems.

• Skin infections: Body lice bite and feed on your blood, which can irritate your skin. When you scratch the bites, you further irritate the skin. This irritation can make your skin raw and open, creating a perfect environment for other germs to get in and cause infections.

• Skin changes: A long-term body lice infestation can cause changes in your skin. The skin might thicken and change color, especially around your waist, groin, and upper thighs.

• Possible spread of illness: Body lice can carry certain bacteria that can cause diseases like typhus, relapsing fever, or trench fever. They don't always transmit these illnesses, but it's a risk.

Body lice are easily spread through close contact. If someone has body lice, it's best to avoid touching them or sharing their clothes or bedding. Washing regularly and changing into clean clothes at least once a week can also help stop the spread of lice. This helps keep you from getting them, or if you already have them, from spreading them to others.

Finding body lice is often as simple as looking. A doctor or you yourself can usually spot body lice by checking your skin and clothes. If you see small, moving lice or their tiny eggs (nits), you likely have an infestation.

Getting rid of body lice usually means a good cleaning. Wash all your clothes, bedding, and towels in hot water and dry them on high heat in a dryer. This helps kill the lice and eggs. If you have items that can't be washed, like some delicate fabrics, you can dry clean them or iron them. This will also help get rid of the lice.

If washing and drying isn't enough, you can try using a special lotion or shampoo that contains 1% permethrin (often called Nix) or pyrethrin, which you can buy at most drugstores. These products are designed to kill lice, but they can also be harmful if not used correctly. Always follow the instructions on the product label carefully.

If these over-the-counter treatments don't work, you might need a special lotion prescribed by your doctor. It's important to remember that some lice-killing products can be harmful, so it's essential to follow all instructions carefully to avoid any health problems.

Body lice are often easily treated by cleaning yourself and your belongings. Wash all infested bedding, clothes, and towels in hot, soapy water (at least 130°F or 54°C). Make sure to run the items through a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes after washing to kill any remaining lice.

If an item can't be machine washed, dry cleaning and ironing it can also get rid of the lice.

For items that can't be washed or dried, sealing them in a plastic bag and storing them in a warm place for two weeks is a good way to kill the lice. This is because the lice and their eggs can't survive in these conditions. This is important for items like stuffed toys, or items that can't be washed. For mattresses, couches, and other upholstered furniture, use a hot iron over the seams, or use a lice-killing spray specifically designed for fabric and upholstered furniture, following the product instructions carefully. Avoid contact with these items for at least two weeks after treatment to ensure all the lice and eggs are gone.