Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options
CDC Home

Resources for Health Professionals

  • Improved hygiene and access to regular changes of clean clothes is the only treatment needed for body lice infestations.
  • A body lice infestation is treated by improving the personal hygiene of the infested person, including assuring a regular (at least weekly) change of clean clothes. Clothing, bedding, and towels used by the infested person should be laundered using hot water (at least 130°F) and machine dried using the hot cycle.
  • Sometimes the infested person also is treated with a pediculicide; however, a pediculicide generally is not necessary if hygiene is maintained and items are laundered appropriately at least once a week.
  • If you choose to treat, guidelines for the choice of the pediculicide are the same as for head lice.
  • Ivermectin has been used successfully to treat lice; however, ivermectin currently has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of lice.

More on: Head Lice Treatment

 
Contact Us:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    1600 Clifton Rd
    Atlanta, GA 30333
  • 1-800-CDC-INFO
    (800-232-4636)
    TTY: (888) 232-6348
    New Hours of Operation
    8am-8pm EST/Monday-Friday
    Closed Holidays
  • cdcinfo@cdc.gov
  • Health care professionals:
  • 1-404-718-4745 (M-F 7:30am-4pm EST)
  • After-hours emergencies: 1-770-488-7100
  • parasites@cdc.gov
  • Page last reviewed: November 2, 2010
  • Page last updated: November 2, 2010
  • Content source: Global Health - Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria
  • Notice: Linking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by HHS, CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
A-Z Index
  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. #