Body Lice (Pediculosis)
(peh-DICK-you-LO-sis)
An adult, male body louse. (CDC Photo. Courtesy of Frank Collins, Ph.D.)
Adult body lice are 2.3-3.6 mm in length. Body lice live and lay eggs on clothing and only move to the skin to feed.
Body lice are known to spread disease.
Body lice infestations are spread most commonly by close person-to-person contact but is generally limited to persons who live under conditions of crowding and poor hygiene (for example., homeless, refugees, etc.). Dogs, cats, and other pets do not play a role in the transmission of human lice.
Improved hygiene and access to regular changes of clean clothes is the only treatment needed for body lice infestations.
Specific Topics
Lice Resources
Page last modified: May 16, 2008
Page last reviewed: May 16, 2008
Content Source: Division of Parasitic Diseases (DPD)
National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases (ZVED)
Page last reviewed: May 16, 2008
Content Source: Division of Parasitic Diseases (DPD)
National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases (ZVED)