Understanding Skin Lice: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Skin lice, also known as body lice, are parasites that live by sucking on the blood of their host. Lice are tiny, wingless insects that are easily spread from one person to the next by close body contact and by sharing bedding and clothing.

Conditions

• Skin lice live in seams of clothing where they are in close contact with the host's skin. Lice eggs (or nits) need a temperature of 75 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in order to hatch. Nits can survive 24 to 48 hours in clothing that isn't being worn.

Symptoms

• Individuals who have skin lice will notice irritation in areas where the seams of their clothing touch their skin. Lice bites cause itchy, red welts and localized swelling.

Treatment

• The treatment for skin lice is proper hygiene and washing or dry cleaning all clothing and bedding that the infected person has had contact with. Individuals who are in close contact with the infected person, such as classmates and family members, should also be checked for skin lice.

Warning

• Skin lice can spread disease and cause other health problems. Identified diseases and health problems include: allergic reactions, typhus, trench fever, relapsing fever, impetigo and eczema.