Lice on Body (Body Lice)

Browse eMedTV's wide range of articles related to lice on body (body lice) including topics such as causes of body lice, treatment for body lice, and transmission of body lice. Use the search box at the top-right corner of the page to find information about other health topics.

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Description of Articles in Lice on Body (Body Lice)

Body lice are small, wingless insects that live primarily on clothing. This eMedTV page offers an in-depth look at body lice, explaining how they are transmitted, diagnosed, and treated. This page also explains how they may transmit certain diseases.

Body lice is caused by an infestation with a small insect known as Pediculus humanus corporis. This eMedTV segment further discusses the causes of body lice and also provides a detailed description of the insect that causes the infestation.

Transmission of body lice can occur through sharing clothes and towels with an infested person. This page of the eMedTV Web site discusses other ways of transmitting body lice and also describes how body lice can sometimes spread other diseases.

An unexplained rash and intense itching are some of the common signs of body lice. This page from the eMedTV archives describes other symptoms of body lice and provides an overview of what the body louse looks like in each stage of its life cycle.

When diagnosing body lice, checking a person's clothing is a good place to start. This eMedTV article offers an overview on how a diagnosis of body lice is made, including information on how infestations are more common during winter months.

As explained in this eMedTV article, treatment for body lice generally involves laundering or throwing away the infested person's clothing. This page also explains how medications are sometimes used for getting rid of body lice.