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BODY LICE (pediculus humanus corporis)
Body lice are infestations of small blood-sucking wingless insects that live on the body of infested humans and in their clothing or bedding, particularly the seams. Body lice can spread from person to person and are normally associated with crowded and unhygienic living conditions, particularly in conditions of social upheaval such as natural disasters or wartime. Very often body lice are clearly visible in the beard, eyelashes, or eye brows. These parasites bite the skin and then feed on small amounts of blood which causes persistent scratching and itching They produce small eggs called nits which are as tiny as dandruff flakes. Nits reproduce rapidly once they hatch into even more lice.
Lice infestation is a uniquely human experience. Lice do not jump or fly from host to host. They cannot be transmitted via animals but may be transferred by person to person via direct contact and inanimate objects such as clothes, combs, upholstery and bedding as they can live for 1 or 2 days without feeding on human blood.
In overcrowded, unhygienic conditions where there is no opportunity to wash and launder clothing on a regular basis body lice (unlike head lice), can be responsible for the spread of epidemic infections such as epidemic typhus. If you have skin rashes or additional infections caused by excessive scratching, see a doctor. “Vagabond’s disease” is a condition caused by an infestation of lice for a significant period of time. The condition consists of darkening and hardening of the skin in areas heavily bitten, usually the mid-section of the body. Epidemics of louse-borne relapsing fever and typhus have been caused by body lice.
The characteristics of a body louse bite include:
A tiny red dot initially appears.
The red dot rises into a small cyst-like lump or papule.
The area becomes inflamed.
The bite causes irritation and severe itching.
Secondary infection resulting from the continuous scratching.
Body lice are visible to the naked eye and occasionally a body louse can be seen crawling or feeding on the skin or crawling lice may be noticed in the seams of clothing or bedding.
NATURAL TREATMENT FOR BODY LICE
Increase personal hygiene, bathing or showering regularly (at least every other day).
Change and launder clothes, especially underwear daily or dispose of affected clothing.
Launder clothing and blankets recently used by an infested person in hot water (greater than 70ºC).
Preferably tumble dry or iron clothes with all seams turned outwards.
If clothes cannot be laundered or dry cleaned iron them with attention to seams or seal them in a plastic bag for a month.
Avoid close contact with infested persons, their clothing and bedding.
Thoroughly vacuum mattresses paying attention to seams, creases and under buttons.
To avoid bringing body lice into the home check the seams of any second-hand clothing or bedding for the presence of body lice.
Externally, lemon thyme has antiseptic properties which makes it a useful mouthwash and cleansing wash for the skin. It will destroy fungal infections such as athlete's foot and skin parasites such as scabies, crabs and lice.
