Will Head Lice Bite Your Body?
WouterIf you have a child who has been exposed to head lice, you may wonder whether you are likely to get them as an adult. Lice will feed on the blood of the human scalp, and their saliva contains anticoagulant and anesthetic properties. It is unlikely that you will become allergic to the lice’s saliva, but the itch caused by the bites will persist for up to four weeks. If you think you have head lice, you may want to get treatment immediately. Fortunately, head lice are not life-threatening. You can get rid of head lice by using one of the lice-killing products prescribed by your doctor.
Lice are small flat insects with six legs and long abdomens. They feed on the blood of their host and leave small, itchy tickling bites on their host. These insects cannot fly or jump, so they travel by crawling. This is why they can be so difficult to remove. You can easily tell if you are suffering from an infestation if you feel itchiness on your head or body.
Body lice are usually found on people who live in overcrowded conditions without adequate access to proper bathing facilities or clean bed linens. The most obvious symptoms of body lice include intense itching and scratching. In addition, heavily bitten areas of the skin may turn red or discolored. In severe infestations, the affected person may also develop a rash.
