Body lice

Description

Tiny insects that live in clothes and bedding and travel to the skin to feed on blood.

Overview

Insects called body lice feed on blood. They live in clothing and bedding but travel to the skin to feed. Body lice can spread from person to person through close contact or through clothing or bedding that have lice in them.

Symptoms

Body lice bites can cause bad itching. Small areas of blood and crust may show up on the skin at the site of the bite marks.

Treatments

Body lice treatment mainly involves washing the body and any items that have lice in them. Lotion available without a prescription that has 1% permethrin or pyrethrin can help. If the lotion doesn't kill the lice, a healthcare professional may prescribe stronger treatments.