Body lice are parasitic insects that feed on human blood and lay their eggs on clothing and sometimes body hair. These eggs, often called nits, indicate an infestation. Understanding their appearance and typical locations helps distinguish them from other common debris and address the issue.
What Are Body Lice?
Body lice are tiny insects that live primarily on clothing and bedding, unlike head lice or pubic lice that reside directly on the body. These parasites are small, ranging from tan to grayish-white in color. Adult body lice are about the size of a sesame seed, approximately 2.3 to 3.6 millimeters long. They feed on human blood multiple times a day, crawling onto the skin from infested garments.
How Body Lice Eggs Appear
Body lice eggs are small, oval structures. They are whitish, yellowish, or tan, and may appear translucent before hatching. These tiny eggs, comparable in size to a pinhead, are firmly attached by female lice to clothing fibers or occasionally body hairs using a strong, water-insoluble glue. This adhesive makes them difficult to remove, distinguishing them from easily flicked-off particles. After hatching, the empty eggshells remain attached and appear white or clear.
Common Locations for Body Lice Eggs
Unlike head lice eggs found on hair shafts, body lice eggs are predominantly located on the seams and folds of clothing. These areas include the inner seams of underwear, shirts, and other garments in close contact with the skin, such as around the waistline and armpits. They can also be found on bedding, including sheets and blankets. While less common, nits may also be attached to body hairs.
Telling Body Lice Eggs Apart
Distinguishing body lice eggs from lint, dandruff, or other particles is important for proper identification. Lint and fabric fibers can be easily brushed or shaken off clothing, whereas body lice nits are securely glued to the fabric. Dandruff, which consists of skin flakes, typically has an irregular shape and is not firmly attached to hair or clothing. Body lice eggs maintain a consistent oval shape and resist being dislodged with a simple flick. Their firm attachment and uniform appearance differentiate them from casual debris.
What to Do if You Find Them
If you discover body lice eggs, consulting a healthcare professional for diagnosis and guidance is advisable. Treatment typically involves improving personal hygiene and regularly changing into clean clothes. Infested clothing, bedding, and towels should be washed in hot water, at least 130°F (54°C), and machine dried using a hot cycle. Items that cannot be washed can be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag and stored for at least two weeks to ensure lice or nits die.