Louse (Pediculosis)

Exclusively on the human body; head lice inhabit the hair and scalp, while body lice inhabit clothing fibers close to the skin.

Obligate parasites that feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.

They are wingless and cannot jump or fly; they move by crawling. They lay eggs (nits) that are firmly glued to hair shafts or clothing fibers. Their life cycle consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

Risks include intense itching (pruritus), skin irritation, and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching. Body lice specifically can transmit serious diseases like typhus and trench fever. Head lice do not spread disease but are a significant social and nuisance concern.