Where are lice found? - briefly
Lice inhabit the hair, scalp, and body of humans, as well as the feathers or fur of other warm‑blooded animals such as birds and mammals. They remain attached to the host’s skin or hair, feeding on blood or skin debris.
Where are lice found? - in detail
Lice inhabit specific regions of their hosts and, in some cases, the surrounding environment.
On humans, three primary species occupy distinct body areas:
- Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice) reside on the scalp, attaching to hair shafts near the nape and behind the ears.
- Pediculus humanus corporis (body lice) live in the seams of clothing, laying eggs on fabric and moving to the skin only to feed.
- Pthirus pubis (pubic lice) colonize the coarse hair of the genital region, but may also be found on chest, abdomen, armpits, and facial hair.
Other mammals host their own lice species, each adapted to the host’s fur or skin. Common domestic animals—dogs, cats, horses, and cattle—harbor lice that remain on the animal’s coat, preferring areas with dense hair or skin folds.
Environmental presence is limited to items that support lice survival:
- Clothing, bedding, and towels contaminated with body‑lice eggs.
- Hairbrushes, combs, and hats that retain head‑lice nits.
- Shared personal items such as razors or intimate apparel that can transfer pubic lice.
Geographically, lice occur worldwide wherever suitable hosts exist. Prevalence rises in crowded living conditions, limited access to hygiene facilities, and among groups with close physical contact, such as schoolchildren, military personnel, and refugees.
Control measures focus on eliminating the insects from the host and removing contaminated objects. Thorough washing of clothing at temperatures above 130 °F (54 °C), regular combing of hair to extract nits, and application of approved topical insecticides constitute the standard approach.