Lice, medically known as pediculosis, are wingless parasites living off the blood of human beings. Three types exist: head, body and pubic. They look similar, differing little in appearance. The mode of transmission is basic as well, with little variance. While a common problem, it can be embarrassing for those who discover they are infected. The key to preventing re-infestation is knowing the cause along with proper treatment.
Head Lice
Head lice, known medically as pediculus humanus capitis, are the largest of the three types of lice, with three pairs of legs behind their head. They don't have wings, making them unable to fly. They do have sharp claws on the end of their feet, which enables them to hold onto either the hair shaft or clothing so they can feed on the scalp. Anyone can get head lice, but it is more common in children. MayoClinic.com states that head-to-head contact is the usual mode of transmission, and once a child has it, she can infect other members of her family. Other ways of transmitting head lice include through sharing of personal items such as brushes, combs, blankets and pillows.
Body Lice
Aetna IntelHealth states that body lice resemble head lice, but instead of clinging to the hair of the infected person, they cling to the clothing, and sometimes their bedding. One or more times a day, the lice crawl onto the skin of the person to feed, rarely feeding on the scalp. The females prefer to lay their eggs in the seams of the clothing close to the skin. The eggs hatch within a week.
Body lice are prevalent in underdeveloped areas of the world where poor sanitation and overcrowding are common. Sharing clothing is the most common form of transmission, and this type of lice typically occur during the winter months when multiple layers of clothing are worn at once for long periods of time.
Pubic Lice
Known also as crabs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain that pubic lice are usually found in pubic hair, but are sometimes found in other areas of the body where coarse hair exists. This includes the eyebrows, beards and chest hair. This lice is transmitted easily because they are active and travel quickly. While the main mode of transmission is sexual contact, in rare instances they can spread through contact with an infected person's bed sheets or towels. If a young child or teenager has pubic lice, it may be an indication of sexual abuse, according to Arthur Schoenstadt, MD of eMedTV.com.
