Body Lice Pictures

          Body Lice PicturesSigns on SkinBody Lice Pictures

Body lice live on bedding and clothing used by infected people.  If you look closely at the seams of the clothing, this is where you will see any eggs the lice may have laid.   Like all lice, body lice require blood to survive.  The lice will usually only move to the skin to feed.  Body lice can spread rapidly in close living quarters, but in the US are mainly found in the homeless population where bathing is less frequent.

Like head lice, body lice can be found in two main categories: Nits and Adult lice.  Nits are the eggs of the lice.  The nits are oval in shape and yellow to white in color.  These nits are frequently found near the seems of the clothing especially in the armpits and waistline areas.  The nits may also attach themselves to the hair of the individual.

The adult lice are slightly larger, have 6 legs, and are tan to gray white in color.  The adult louse needs blood to survive and if it falls off of the carrier can live 5-7 days without a food source before it dies.

Body lice is different than head lice, but like head lice is spread through contact or sharing infected clothing and bedding.  To prevent spreading this type of lice, frequent bathing and weekly washing of bedding is highly recommended. 

After reviewing the pictures below and you believe you have become infested with body lice, a quick and complete cleaning with a delousing product is in order.  Clothing and bedding should also be treated or destroyed to prevent further infestations.