Lice

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition
Symptoms
Causes
When to seek medical advice

Treatments and drugs
Prevention
Lifestyle and home remedies

Definition

Lice are tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that feed on your blood. Lice are easily spread — especially by schoolchildren — through close personal contact and by sharing belongings.

Several types of lice exist:

Head lice. These lice develop on your scalp. They're easiest to see at the nape of your neck and over your ears.
Body lice. These lice spend most of their time in the seams and folds of your clothing.
Pubic lice. Commonly called crabs, these lice occur on the skin and hair of your pubic area and on eyelashes.

You or your child can have good personal hygiene habits and still get lice. Unless treated properly, this condition can become a recurring problem.

Symptoms