When most people think of lice, they automatically assume head lice. However, there is another type of lice, known as body lice. While they may have some similarities, body lice is not quite the same, nor does it require the same type of treatment. So what are the differences between these two?

How To Identify Body Lice

In general, body lice are slightly smaller than head lice and are mainly found on clothing and attached to the body only when actively feeding. They can be spread by direct contact with items that carry the lice, such as bedding, clothing, and towels. Since they do not live on the body, you may not see them on your body but may see the bites they leave behind.

Body lice can cause you intense itching from their bites and you may also notice small areas of blood where you have been bitten. Body lice are also much less common than head lice and tend to infect those who are living in crowded, unclean conditions. These lice can also spread disease. This includes areas such as homeless shelters, crowded dwellings or refugee camps. To rid yourself of body lice, medication and treatment are not typically necessary, as improvement of hygiene is known to get rid of these critters.

Head Lice Are More Common

Head lice are larger than body lice, but are very similar in appearance.  Head lice cannot jump or fly but crawls from one host to another through head to head contact. These lice are primarily found on school aged children but can affect adults as well and while they may look scary, head lice are not known to transmit diseases. 

Head lice is much more common than body lice. In fact, over 6 to 12 million infestations occur in the US to children alone. Medication and professional treatment is recommended for head lice removal. Thankfully, treatments have come a long way over the past few decades and it is much easier today to get back to your normal lifestyle by seeking help from a professional.

Head Lice Removal in Jacksonville, Fl!

Before you head to your local head lice removal center, be sure to check out the differences between body and head lice. If you have questions or concerns, you can contact us for further assistance. Our Jacksonville, FL team is proud to provide science-based head lice treatment to kill both head lice and their eggs using heated air. Without chemicals or pesticides, you can be sure that your family is in the best of hands and can return to a lice free life!

Schools Without Lice

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We’ve partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create the Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free screenings, resources, and treatments. Together, we can have schools without lice!