Body lice

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Body louse

Body louse, female and larvae

Head louse and pubic louse

Lice, body with stool (Pediculus humanus)

Lice - body; Pediculosis

Intense itching is the main symptom. It is usually worse at the waistband, in the armpits, at the bra strap, or anywhere clothing is tighter and closer to the body.

Red bumps appear on the skin. They may become crusted or scabbed from scratching.

Areas around the waist or groin may become thickened or discolored when lice have been present for a long time.

Your doctor can usually diagnose this condition by looking at your skin and clothing.

• Full-grown lice are the size of a sesame seed, have six legs, and are tan to greyish-white.
• Nits are lice eggs. They will most often be seen in the clothing of someone with lice, most commonly around the waist and in the armpits.

Persons with body lice should also be checked for head and pubic lice.

Review Date: 10/04/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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