How to Identify, Treat, and Prevent Body Lice Infestations

Understanding Body Lice

Body lice are tiny, wingless insects that live in the seams of clothing and bedding. They feed on human blood by biting the skin. An infestation of body lice is known as pediculosis corporis.

Body Lice vs Other Lice

There are three main types of lice that live on humans:

• Head lice
• Pubic lice
• Body lice

Although they are all in the same insect family, they occupy different parts of the body. Body lice specifically colonize clothes and can only survive for a short time away from the human body.

Body Lice Transmission

You can get body lice through direct physical contact with an infested person or by sharing garments, bedding, towels or other fabrics.Since body lice live in clothing, transmission occurs less frequently through skin-to-skin contact.

Body lice spread more rapidly under unsanitary conditions where clothing and bedding are shared by several people in crowded spaces like homeless shelters, jails or refugee camps.

Do Body Lice Spread Disease?

Yes, body lice can transmit dangerous bacterial diseases. When they bite, they ingest blood that may carry pathogens like Bartonella quintana, the bacteria that causes trench fever, or Borrelia recurrentis, which causes relapsing fever.

These body lice feces can enter the bite wound or tiny abrasions in the skin. Scratching the bites can also spread infected feces into the bloodstream. This is why body lice pose a higher health risk than head or pubic lice.

Signs and Symptoms of Body Lice

The main signs and symptoms of body lice include:

• Itching, especially at night
• A rash caused by an allergic reaction to the bites
• Small red bumps or lesions on areas where clothing fits tightly
• Difficulty sleeping
• Skin discoloration from scratching

Body Lice Bites

When body lice bite, they inject anticoagulant saliva into the wound. For many people, this causes small, itchy red bumps to develop a day or two later. The bumps are often found around the waistline, armpits, breasts, groin and thighs.

You may notice bluish spots of bed bug feces on your skin or small blood stains on your clothes from crushed body lice. However, not everyone reacts noticeably to body louse bites. A lack of bite reaction doesn't mean you don't have an infestation.

Secondary Skin Infections

The spots where lice bites occur can become infected if they are scratched vigorously, breaking the skin. Signs of a bacterial skin infection include:

• Oozing blisters
• Crusty sores
• Pus

See your doctor promptly if a rash caused by louse bites becomes severely infected.

Diagnosing Body Lice

If you suspect an infestation based on symptoms, there are steps you can take to help diagnose body lice.

Identify Live Lice or Nits

Check the inside seams of any clothing, especially underwear, for nits attached to the fabric threads. You may see live body lice moving in clothing wrinkles or folded edges of fabric as well.

Wash clothing in very hot, soapy water to help kill lice and remove nits if unsure. If nits remain cemented to clothing fibers even after washing, diagnosis is confirmed.

Microscopic Identification

Use a magnifying glass and flashlight to inspect skin, clothing and bed linens closely. Adult body lice are small, grayish-white bugs around 2-4 mm long. They have six legs with claws to grasp fabric and hairless bodies.

If you find a suspect insect, place clear tape over it, then remove the tape. Put the trapped bug on a microscope slide to identify key body lice features like:

• Round shape
• Short antennae
• No wings

This technique can also help identify nits, which are lice eggs cemented to fabrics near heat sources like body warmth or lamps. They resemble tiny whitish ovals smaller than a pinhead.

Blood Tests

If a body lice infestation is suspected as the cause of an unexplained rash or illness, the doctor may order blood tests. These can help detect antibodies produced by the immune system to fight diseases like trench fever or relapsing fever.

Treating Body Lice at Home

Getting rid of body lice involves disinfecting both fabrics and skin. Here is an overview of effective self-care methods for eliminating body lice at home:

Machine Wash Clothing and Bedding

Wash all garments, towels, linens and other fabric items (including coats and hats) used in the last 3 days. Use very hot, soapy water then dry on the highest heat setting. This should kill both adult lice and unhatched nits.

Dry Clean Non-Washable Items

Dry cleaning also kills body lice through extreme heat. Have all clothing, cushions, curtains, rugs or other fabrics that can't be safely machine washed professionally treated by a dry cleaner.

Bag Items for 2+ Weeks

If you are unable to launder or dry clean fabrics right away, store them sealed in plastic bags for at least 14 days. Lice and eggs cannot survive longer than 2 weeks off the human body.

Use Lice Combs

Fine-toothed lice combs can help remove live lice and nits from clothing seams or folds that may be missed during cleaning. Combs with long, very narrow metal teeth allow safe removal without damaging delicate fabrics.

Vacuum Upholstery and Carpets

Use a vacuum fitted with a crevice tool attachment to suck up any live lice or nits from cracks and crevices in furniture, mattresses, carpets and car interiors. Remember to empty vacuum contents in a sealed bag afterwards.

Apply Medicated Skin Creams

Medicated creams containing ingredients like permethrin, pyrethrins or lindane can kill lice present on the skin's surface. Follow all label instructions carefully.

Be extremely cautious using lice treatment products on infants, pregnant women or people with extensive cuts and abrasions. Consult a pediatrician or doctor first if unsure.

Take Oral Medications If Infected

Oral antibiotics like doxycycline may be prescribed to treat bacterial diseases transmitted by body lice if you develop symptoms like rashes, high fever or chills. Take exactly as directed.

Preventing Body Lice Infestations

Once a body lice outbreak resolves, take proactive steps to avoid another one. Prevention methods include:

Avoid Direct Contact with Infested People

Do not share clothing, towels, bedding or hair brushes with anyone showing signs of body lice. Also avoid leaning your head or body against others if lice transmission is suspected.

Practice Good Hygiene Habits

Shower frequently, change clothes daily, and wash garments after each wearing with hot, soapy water. Keep living spaces clean by vacuuming carpets and mopping bare floors often.

Use Protective Barriers

In high-risk crowded environments like homeless shelters, wear clothing to cover as much of the body as possible. Tuck pants into socks when possible to prevent lice access.

Avoid sitting or lying on potentially infested surfaces. Use a blanket or towel as a barrier layer whenever possible.

Apply Insecticide Powders

Applying boric acid or silica aerogel powders inside clothing or on unwashed fabrics can help kill lice. These abrasive dusts physically damage the waxy outer coating causing dehydration.

Use Essential Oils

Some research indicates that certain essential oils may have insecticidal effects against lice. Oils like ylang ylang, lavender, tea tree, cloves, eucalyptus or rosemary may help repel lice when applied lightly to skin or fabrics.

However, more research is still needed to confirm essential oil efficacy and safety precautions.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.