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| __NOTOC__
| | #REDIRECT[[Body louse]] |
| {{DiseaseDisorder infobox
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| | Name = Body lice in humans
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| | Image = PediculusHumanus.png
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| | Caption = Pediculus humanus
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| }}
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| {{SI}}
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| {{CMG}}
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| {{SK}} Pediculus humanus humanus
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| == Overview ==
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| Body lice are parasitic insects that live on the body and in the clothing or bedding of infested humans. Body lice frequently lay their eggs on or near the seams of clothing and must feed on [[blood]] and usually only move to the [[skin]] to feed. They exist worldwide and infest people of all races.
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| ==Diagnosis==
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| === History and Symptoms ===
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| ====Common Symptoms====
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| * [[Itching]]
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| * [[Rash]]
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| Both of these symptoms are the body's [[allergic reaction]] to the lice bite.
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| ====Less Common Symptoms====
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| Long-term body lice infestations may lead to:
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| * Thickening and discoloration of the [[skin]], particularly around the [[waist]], [[groin]], and [[upper thigh]]s.
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| * [[Sores]] on the body may be caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected with [[bacteria]] or [[fungi]].
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| ===Physical Examination===
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| ====Skin====
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| * Eggs and crawling lice in the seams of clothing. Sometimes a body louse can be seen crawling or feeding on the skin.
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| ** Although body lice and nits can be large enough to be seen with the naked eye, a magnifying lens may be necessary to find crawling lice or eggs.
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| ==Treatment ==
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| Lice infestations are generally treated by giving the infested person a clean change of clothes, a shower, and by laundering all worn clothing, bed linens, and towels. When laundering items, use the hot cycle (130°F) of the washing machine. Set the dryer to the hot cycle to dry items.
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| ===Medical Therapy===
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| Sometimes the infested person also is treated with a [[pediculicide]], a medicine that can kill lice; however, a pediculicide generally is not necessary if [[hygiene]] is maintained and items are laundered appropriately at least once a week. A pediculicide should be applied exactly as directed on the bottle or by your physician.
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| ===Primary Prevention===
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| The following are steps that can be taken to help prevent and control the spread of body lice:
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| * Regular bathing and changing into properly laundered clothes at least once a week; laundering infested clothing at least once a week.
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| * Machine washing and drying infested clothing and bedding using the hot water (at least 130°F) laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle. Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned OR sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.
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| * No sharing of clothing, beds, bedding, and towels used by an infested person.
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| * Fumigation or dusting with chemical insecticides sometimes is necessary to control and prevent the spread of body lice for certain diseases (epidemic typhus).
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| * '''Pediculus humanus, corporis treatment'''<ref>{{Cite web | title = body lice | url =http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/body/treatment.html }} </ref>
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| :* A body lice infestation is treated by improving the personal hygiene of the infested person, including assuring a regular (at least weekly) change of clean clothes.
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| :* Clothing, bedding, and towels used by the infested person should be laundered using hot water (at least 130°F) and machine dried using the hot cycle.
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| :* Sometimes the infested person also is treated with a pediculicide [[Ivermectin]] Lotion; however, a pediculicide [[Ivermectin]] generally is not necessary if hygiene is maintained and items are laundered appropriately at least once a week. A pediculicide [[Ivermectin]] should be applied exactly as directed on the bottle or by your physician.
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist|2}}
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist|2}}
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| [[Category:Disease]]
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| [[Category:Infectious disease]]
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| [[Category:dermatology]]
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| [[Category:Primary care]]
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