Is it true that lice live under the skin? - briefly
Lice inhabit the scalp and hair shafts, not the tissue beneath the skin. They attach to hair shafts and feed by piercing the surface, without burrowing into the epidermis.
Is it true that lice live under the skin? - in detail
The assertion that lice inhabit the interior of the skin is inaccurate. Lice are obligate ectoparasites that remain on the surface of the host, primarily in hair shafts or attached to clothing.
Head lice («Pediculus humanus capitis») and body lice («Pediculus humanus corporis») locate themselves among hair or on garments, where they grasp the host with clawed legs. Pubic lice («Pthirus pubis») occupy coarse body hair. None of these species penetrate the epidermis.
Feeding involves inserting a short, needle‑like mouthpart into the superficial dermal layer to draw blood. The mouthpart does not create a tunnel; blood is accessed through a minute incision that heals rapidly. After feeding, the insect retreats to its shelter on the hair or fabric.
Key distinctions between lice and burrowing parasites:
- Lice: external, cling to hair or clothing, no tissue invasion.
- Scabies mites: internal, dig into the stratum corneum, produce visible tunnels.
Clinical evidence supports surface habitation. Microscopic examination of infested hair reveals lice attached to shafts, not embedded within tissue. Dermatological inspection shows no subdermal cavities associated with lice infestations.
The misconception likely arises from the visible skin irritation and itching caused by lice bites, which can be mistaken for deeper infestation. However, all documented life‑cycle stages—egg (nits), nymph, adult—occur on the host’s exterior.
Consequently, lice do not live beneath the skin; they remain on the exterior, feeding superficially and reproducing in the same location.