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| {{DiseaseDisorder infobox
| | #REDIRECT[[Pediculosis corporis]] |
| | Name = Body lice in humans
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| | Image = PediculusHumanus.png
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| | Caption = Pediculus humanus
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| | ICD10 = {{ICD10|B|85|1|b|85}}
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| | ICD9 = {{ICD9|132.1}}
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| | ICDO =
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| | OMIM =
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| | DiseasesDB = 29587
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| | MedlinePlus = 000838
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| | MeshID = D010373
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| }}
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| {{SI}}
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| {{CMG}}
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| {{SK}} Pediculosis; Pediculus humanus humanus
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| == Overview ==
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| Body lice, or ''Pediculus humanus humanus'', 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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| ==Pathophysiology==
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| ===Pathogenesis===
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| The life cycle of the body louse ''Pediculus humanus humanus'', has three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
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| # '''Nits''' are body lice eggs. They are hard to see and are often confused for dandruff. Nits are laid by the adult female and are cemented at the base of the hair shaft nearest the skin . They are 0.8 mm by 0.3 mm, oval and usually yellow to white.
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| # Nits take about 1 week to hatch (range 6 to 9 days). Viable eggs are usually located within 6 mm of the skin. | |
| # The egg hatches to release a '''nymph'''.
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| # The nit shell then becomes a more visible dull yellow and remains attached to the hair shaft. The nymph looks like an adult body louse, but is about the size of a pinhead.
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| # Nymphs mature after three [[molts]] and become adults about 7 days after hatching.
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| # The '''adult''' louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has 6 legs (each with claws), and is tan to grayish-white . In persons with dark hair, the adult louse will appear darker. Females are usually larger than males and can lay up to 8 nits per day. Adult lice can live up to 30 days on a person’s body.
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| # To live, adult lice need to feed on blood several times daily. Without blood meals, the louse will die within 1 to 2 days off the host.
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| == Epidemiology and Demographics ==
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| Body lice infestation is found worldwide but generally is limited to persons who live under conditions of crowding and poor [[hygiene]] who do not have access to regular bathing and changes of clean clothes, such as:
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| * the homeless
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| * refugees
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| * survivors of war or natural disasters
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| == Diagnosis ==
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| By looking closely in the seams of clothing and on the body for eggs and for crawling lice. Diagnosis should be made by a health care provider if you are unsure about infestation.
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| === History and Symptoms ===
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| Itching and rash are common; both are your body's allergic reaction to the lice bite. Long-term body lice infestations may lead to thickening and discoloration of the skin, particularly around the waist, groin, and upper thighs. Sores on the body may be caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected with bacteria or fungi.
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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. Additionally, a 1% permethrin or pyrethrin lice shampoo, (also called pediculicide peh-DICK-you-luh-side), may be applied to the body. Medication should be applied exactly as directed on the bottle or by your physician.
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| ==References==
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| #http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/factsht_body_lice.htm
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| #http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_louse
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| == Acknowledgements ==
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| The content on this page was first contributed by: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D.
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| [[Category:Disease]]
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| [[Category:Infectious disease]]
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