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A louse (plural lice) is a small insect that lives on human hair and clothing and can just be seen with the naked eye. Lice are well camouflaged and reflect the colour of the surroundings. The medical term for an infection or infestation with lice is called pediculosis.
- Pubic Lice
Acne Athlete's foot Cellulitis Cold sores Dermatitis/Eczema...
- Pubic Lice
- Overview
- Head lice
- Pubic lice
- Body lice
- Is it bed bugs?
- Outlook
Lice are parasites that live on the skin. Most are harmless to overall health, but they cause tiny bites, which can be bothersome. Different types of lice have different features, but they can all cause itching.
There are two kinds of lice: chewing lice, which feed on the skin and debris, and sucking lice, which feed on the blood.
Only sucking lice live on humans. Types include head lice, pubic lice, and body lice.
In this article, learn to identify lice by their appearance and where on the body they feed. We also describe the difference between lice bites and bed bug bites.
Head lice are small, gray insects about 2–3 millimeters (mm) in length. They live on the scalp, where they feed on human blood and lay eggs at the base of hair shafts.
The eggs of head lice are commonly known as nits, and they are tiny and translucent. The empty eggshells are white, and they can remain stuck to the hair for up to 6 months. A person is most likely to find them at the nape of the neck and behind the ears.
Head lice:
•do not transmit diseases, though their bites can occasionally expose the host to secondary infections
•lay around six eggs a day
•are transmitted through head-to-head contact and shared objects, including brushes, headwear, towels, and pillows
Pubic lice, also known as “crabs,” infect the genital area. They may also reside in armpit or facial hair. At 1.1–1.8 mm, they are smaller than head or body lice.
Pubic lice are primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Less commonly, a person can get pubic lice by sharing towels, blankets, or clothing.
Signs and symptoms of pubic lice include:
•itching in the genital region or anus, which may intensify at night
•pale blue spots close to bites
•louse droppings, which resemble dark brown powder on the skin or in the underwear
Body lice are between 2.3–3.6 mm in length and tan or gray. They live in bedding and clothing and crawl onto the skin several times a day to feed.
They tend to bite areas of the body where the seams of clothing come into contact with the skin. These include the neck, shoulders, armpits, waist, and groin.
People with body lice may experience itching and rashes if they have allergic reactions to the bites.
Some thickening or darkening of the skin may also occur after prolonged periods of infestation.
Body lice:
•are most often spread through close contact with infected individuals
When a person finds bites on their body, they may be unsure whether they have body lice or bed bugs. Bed bugs are not lice, but they also feed on human blood.
While body lice exist almost exclusively in areas with overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, bed bugs rarely indicate a lack of cleanliness or personal hygiene.
Bed bugs tend to enter the home on luggage, through shared bedding, or on used furniture.
At around 1–7 mm, bed bugs are larger than lice, and a bed bug infestation can create an almond-like smell. A person may also see discarded exoskeletons in bedding.
While body lice tend to bite during the day, bed bugs bite at night, when the host is lying in the infected area.
Due to their preference for dark places, they are difficult to spot without a flashlight.
Body lice can carry diseases, but other types of lice usually cause no lasting harm. Accurate identification is essential for establishing the most appropriate treatment.
If a person is unsure of the cause of bites, they should speak to a doctor for a diagnosis.
Head lice infestation is known as pediculosis capitis. The severity of infestation varies from a few lice (fewer than 10) to more than 1000 in severe cases, but a typical infestation might have about 30 lice per head. If left untreated, head lice infestation may persist for long periods.
Pediculosis is an infestation of the hairy parts of the body or clothing with the eggs, larvae or adults of lice. The crawling stages of this insect feed on human blood, which can result in severe itching. Head lice are usually located on the scalp, crab lice in the pubic area and body lice along seams of clothing.
- For both head lice and body lice, transmission can occur during direct contact with an infested individual. Sharing of clothing and combs or brushe...
- Usually, the first indication of an infestation is the itching or scratching in the area of the body where the lice feed. Scratching at the back of...
- It may take as long as two to three weeks or longer for a person to notice the intense itching associated with this infestation.
- Medicated shampoos or cream rinses containing pyrethrins or permethrin are preferred for treating people with head lice. Products containing pyreth...
- Physical contact with infested individuals and their belongings, especially clothing, headgear and bedding, should be avoided. Health education on...
Head lice can make your head feel itchy. The only way to be sure someone has head lice is by finding live lice. You can do this by combing their hair with a special fine-toothed comb (detection comb). You can buy these online or at pharmacies. How to get rid of head lice. Treat head lice as soon as you spot them.
Head lice usually cause an itch and irritation in the scalp. This can take several weeks to develop after the initial infestation. Lice favour the nape of the neck and the skin behind the ears. Nits are generally easy to see after the eggs have hatched, as adherent white grains on the hair shaft.
People also ask
What is a head lice infestation?
What causes head lice & NITs?
What is a head lice NIT?
What is head lice pediculosis capitis?
How do I know if I have head lice?
How do you get rid of head lice & NITs?
Head lice are tiny insects that live in hair. Nits are the empty egg cases attached to hair that head lice hatch from. Head lice are a common problem, particularly in school children aged 4 to 11. They’re largely harmless, but can live in the hair for a long time if not treated and can be irritating and frustrating to deal with.
