Can Head Lice Go on Your Body?

Lice are tiny insects that live on the human body. Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed and are grayish-white in color. They hatch from nits in the scalp and feed on blood. The life cycle of a lice can last anywhere from two to three weeks. Once the nits hatch, they will become nymphs, which are smaller than adult lice. They will feed on human blood several times per day and will eventually grow into adults.

There are several methods you can use to get rid of head lice. The first is to wash your clothes, towels, and bed linen in hot water. You can also dry your clothes in the hot dryer for at least half an hour. Then, you can apply an oatmeal paste over the lice bites.

Although head lice are not harmful, they are contagious. They spread easily through close contact, particularly in schools and daycares. If your child has come in contact with an infected individual, it is important to check them as soon as possible. During this time, it is important to treat any nits that are near the scalp.

Body lice are much less common than head lice. They generally only affect people who are not able to bathe regularly. They prefer to live in clothing seams and bedding and travel to the skin several times daily to feed on human blood. Pubic lice, also called “crabs,” are usually found on the pubic area but can also live in the eyelashes, eyebrows, and chest hair.