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

Body lice mainly live in clothing. Destroy or carefully wash infected clothing in hot water (at least 130 degrees F), then machine dry using a hot cycle.

Your doctor may also recommend a prescription cream or wash containing permethrin, malathione, or benzyl alcohol.

However, hygiene and washing clothes, bedding, and towels are most important and are usually enough.

With effective treatment, the lice can be completely eliminated.

Another (secondary) skin infection may occur from scratching. In rare cases, body lice may carry uncommon diseases, such as relapsing or trench fever. Because body lice is contagious, other family members may want to be treated.

Call your health care provider if you have lice in your clothing or persistent itchiness.

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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