{"id":9537,"date":"2026-07-14T09:59:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T09:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/telyrx.com\/blog\/?p=9537"},"modified":"2026-06-29T22:00:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T22:00:51","slug":"body-lice-vs-head-lice-differences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/telyrx.com\/blog\/scabies\/body-lice-vs-head-lice-differences\/","title":{"rendered":"Body Lice vs. Head Lice: Differences, Symptoms, and Treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lice are a type of parasite that live off blood to survive. You can find them in hair, on the body, or in the pubic area. Each of these locations attract different types of lice: head lice, body lice, or pubic lice, and different lice require different types of treatment. Learn what kind of lice you have so you can get the right lice treatment<\/a> without wasting time or energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Differences Between Body Lice, Head Lice, and Pubic Lice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n
 <\/strong><\/td>\nBody Lice<\/strong><\/td>\nHead Lice<\/strong><\/td>\nPubic Lice<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Species<\/strong><\/td>\nPediculus humanus corporis<\/i><\/td>\nPediculus humanus capitis<\/i><\/td>\nPthirus pubis<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Species<\/strong><\/td>\nItching, rash, sores from scratching, nits or lice in clothing or linens<\/td>\nItching on the scalp or head, tickling sensation in the hair, trouble sleeping, sores from scratching, black dots on the scalp, nits or lice on the scalp<\/td>\nItching in the pubic area, changes in skin color around the bites, sores from scratching, nits or lice in your pubic hair<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Area(s)<\/strong><\/td>\nIn the seams of clothing, linens, towels, or bedding; waist, groin, thighs, and other areas where clothing is fitted against skin<\/td>\nHair close to the scalp and behind the ears, eyebrows, eyelashes<\/td>\nGenitals and other areas where you have coarse hair, such as your armpits, beard, or chest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Treatment<\/strong><\/td>\nTopical corticosteroids or oral antihistamines for itching; antibiotics for secondary skin infections<\/td>\nMedicated shampoos, creams, and lotions (e.g. spinosad, ivermectin, malathion)<\/td>\nMedicated lotion or cream (e.g. permethrin, malathion)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Are Body Lice?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Body lice live in the seams of clothing like this rack of shirts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis<\/em>) are about the size of a sesame seed and need human blood to survive, just like head lice. However, they differ from head lice and pubic lice in that they lay eggs in clothing and linens rather than in hair. You\u2019ll usually only see them on your skin when they\u2019re actively feeding. Otherwise, they tend to live in the seams of your clothes, bedding, towels, and other linens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s possible to find a head louse on your body, but that doesn\u2019t make it a body louse. Body and head lice are different species. However, they are similar in size and appearance. The nits (lice eggs) are oval and yellow or white. Nymph (young lice) are smaller than adult lice and can be tan or gray in color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Body lice spread one of two ways: through direct contact with another person who has body lice, or through contact with infested clothing, beds, or linens. This condition tends to affect underserved populations more than others. They\u2019re most common on people who cannot bathe<\/a> or wash their clothes regularly, especially in unsanitary or crowded conditions such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n