Body Lice in Children: Care Instructions
Overview
Body lice are tiny bugs that can live in the seams of clothing or bedding (sheets, pillows, and blankets). They are hard to find on the body. It's much easier to see lice or their eggs (nits) on clothes.
Body lice are most often spread by contact with a person who has body lice or with that person's clothes, bedding, or towels. They are usually found only when people can't wash their bodies or their clothes regularly.
Lice can cause very bad itching, especially at night. They can also cause sores in the armpits, waist, or torso. These are places where the seams of clothing can press against the skin. In rare cases, body lice carry disease. This usually only happens when people are living closely together in places where they can't bathe regularly.
Most people can get rid of lice by washing personal items and their bodies regularly.
Children who have lice should be able to keep going to school. Experts recommend that children should not be kept from school because of lice or nits.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
How can you care for your child at home?
- Wash your child's clothes, bedding, and towels in a washing machine with hot water. Dry them in a dryer on the hot cycle. If you don't have access to a washing machine or if the items can't be washed or dried, you can store these items in a sealed plastic bag for 14 days to get rid of the lice.
- Wash your child's body thoroughly. To prevent body lice from coming back, try to bathe and wash clothes and bedding at least once a week.
- If washing doesn't work, try an over-the-counter medicine to kill body lice.
- Be safe with medicines. Give medicine exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse advice line if you think your child is having a problem with the medicine.
- You can also talk to the pharmacist to understand how to use a medicine and make sure that it is safe for your child.
- Try to keep your child from scratching. It may help to trim your child's fingernails. Scratching can cause sores, which can lead to an infection. You can try an over-the-counter anti-itch cream to calm the itching. If the itching is really bad, ask the doctor about an over-the-counter antihistamine. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Tell your child not to share clothes, towels, or other items until you treat and clean everything.
When should you call for help?
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has signs of a skin infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, and redness.
- Red streaks coming from an area of the skin.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:
- You see live lice or new nits after you have followed your doctor's directions.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter Z398 in the search box to learn more about "Body Lice in Children: Care Instructions".
Adaptation Date: 3/8/2024
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services
