Body Lice Eguide

DermaTechRx Research Center has undergone extensive Body Lice research to offer a repository of body lice treatment information at no cost to you. Below is a recap of all the information found through our research, on the internet and in-house findings.

Treatment for Pediculosis Corporis (Body Lice)

The treatment for body lice are simple hygiene measures that need to be followed. If you find lice on your person or clothes, simple home care methods will help you get rid of them very quickly. DermaTechRx Research Center recommends the Liceadex™ Body Lice treatment products. Treatment is described below:

1. Apply a natural pediculicide, such as Liceadex, all over your body, paying close attention to folds of skin, or areas on your body where the neckband and waistband normally come into contact with your skin.
2. It is best to wash clothes and bedding in cycles in temperatures of about 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 55 degrees Celsius. If there is no facility to wash then boil clothes in water for about 5 minutes.
3. Vacuum all the furniture, floor and upholstery. After vacuuming, throw away the vacuum bag immediately.
4. Check clothes of all members of the house carefully. It is best if you do not allow people into your homes for a few days until the entire delousing process is finished. Neither should you let members of the family visit others for fear that the lice infection may spread.
5. Try to refrain from using chemical insecticides or sprays on your family (especially younger children, or the elderly) or your environment. Lice tend to build up a resistance to the chemicals used, and some people may develop allergic reaction, which may even result in death. Click here to read about some of the dangers of using such treatments.

Treatment for Severe Body Lice Infestations

Although Body Lice are enough of a nuisance, what makes the situation worse is that they are vectors (carriers) of diseases like epidemic typhus and louse-borne relapsing fever. These are secondary infections. Therefore at times apart from itching and the bite sores, one might experience other more intense symptoms. At such times you would require products to eliminate or prevent infection, and if the secondary infection is serious enough, it might require hospitalization.

A secondary infection could be a possibility if you notice the following symptoms:

• Skin infection: Scratching excessively can lead to tearing of the skin, leading to other infections. Apply All Stop™ Healing & Protection Spray if the area on the skin appears red, swollen, tender, oozing discharge or changing color to treat the infection.
• If the sores become worse and you develop other symptom such as nausea, vomiting, fever and chills.
• If you develop allergic reaction to any medication (such as over the counter drugs)

Traditional poisonous treatments will include prescribed topical and oral medications such as:

Elimite Cream: Also called permethrin 5%. This cream is highly toxic and should not be used on children under two years of age, the elderly or anyone with a compromised immune system.

Kwell Lotion or Shampoo: (Lindane 1%) This is not a preferred method of treatment, and generally only used when all other methods have failed. As it is can be toxic if used incorrectly. One must be very careful and use this cream strictly as per the doctor’s instructions. Lindane, when absorbed into the skin, can cause seizures and affects the central nervous system.

Also ensure that:

• You do not apply the cream to your face
• You let your doctor know if you are pregnant or nursing
• If you suffer or are prone to ragweed allergies, do not use medications that contain permethrin or pyrethrin

Preventing Reinfestations, Post Treatment

As discussed before, Body Lice are usually a problem of hygiene, and thus it is recommended good hygiene practices are followed both during and after treatment. It is more difficult to sustain Body Lice on you or in your environment regular bathing and good laundry practices are implemented regularly. However, to prevent re-infestation of any sort, it is essential to stick to certain hygiene measures such as routinely washing and changing all linens (especially bedding and pajamas) everyday, or at the very least, weekly, vacuuming the house regularly, and covering your mattress with a mattress encasement. You may also look at the Liceadex™ Body Lice Treatment products for more information on treating you and your family for Body Lice.

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