Body lice are tiny insects that live in clothing, bedding, and other fabrics.
They feed on human blood and then return to the fabric to live and lay eggs.
In rare cases, a prescription is necessary to treat body lice.
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Dry on high heat after washing.
This will kill the lice and remove any eggs and nits.
A healthcare provider can prescribe a bodywash or skin cream that containsmalathion,permethrin, or benzyl alcohol.
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In rare circumstances, an oral medication may be needed.
However, they do have guidance for head lice.
They are permitted to return to work or school after beginning treatment.
It may also result in asecondary infectionfrom germs entering the bites after scratching.
Use topicalcorticosteroidsand oral antihistamines to treat the itching and swelling from a body lice bite.
Secondary skin infections need to be treated by a healthcare provider.
They may prescribe oral antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection.
Fumigation or dusting with chemical insecticides is an option to control and stop the spread of body lice.
This means washing bedding and clothing at least once weekly and showering or bathing regularly.
They feed between one and five times per day and can live up to 60 days.
A provider can prescribe a medicine called pediculicide that can kill lice.
It needs to be used exactly as directed.
If the lice bites becomeinfecteda healthcare provider may need to prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection.
Signs of an infected lice bite are:
Body lice can spread diseases to humans on which it feeds.
These diseases are trench fever, epidemictyphus, and louse-borne relapsing fever.
Summary
Body lice are tiny insects that live in bedding and clothes and feed on human blood.
Their bites can cause itching and bumps.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About body lice.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Providing care for individuals with head lice.
DermNet.Arthropod bites and stings.
Powers J, Badri T, Syed HA.Pediculosis corporis.
2022;107(2):427-432. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.22-0118
