Where can lice live? - briefly
Lice occupy the hair and skin of their hosts, living on the human scalp, body hair, pubic region, or the fur of certain mammals. They also persist in clothing, bedding, or other items that maintain close contact with the body.
Where can lice live? - in detail
Lice are obligate ectoparasites that complete their life cycle on a living host. The most common varieties associated with humans include head lice, body lice, and pubic lice. Head lice inhabit the scalp, clinging to hair shafts near the scalp surface and laying eggs (nits) close to the skin. Body lice reside in the seams of clothing, moving to the skin only to feed, and they deposit eggs in the fabric. Pubic lice prefer coarse hair in the genital area, but they can also be found on chest, abdomen, and facial hair.
Animals host several lice species adapted to specific hosts. On mammals such as dogs, cats, cattle, and rodents, lice occupy fur or hair, feeding on skin debris and blood. In birds, lice live among feathers, often concentrating near the vent or underwing where feather density is greatest. Some species specialize in the ears, nostrils, or other body openings of their hosts.
Off‑host survival is limited. Lice can remain viable for 24–48 hours on personal items such as bedding, towels, or upholstered furniture, but they cannot reproduce without a host. Clothing and linens provide a temporary refuge for body lice, extending their survival to several days under optimal temperature (20–30 °C) and humidity (≥70 %). Once removed from these environments, mortality rises sharply within 12 hours.
Conditions that promote colonization include close physical contact, shared clothing or bedding, and environments that maintain warmth and moisture. Overcrowded living spaces, limited access to hygiene facilities, and prolonged head-to-head interaction increase the likelihood of infestation.
Typical locations where lice are found:
- Hair shafts on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and facial hair
- Clothing seams, especially in the abdominal and groin regions
- Body hair in the chest, armpits, and pubic area
- Fur or feather clusters on animal hosts, often near skin folds or ventral surfaces
- Bedding, towels, and upholstered surfaces that have been in recent contact with an infested individual
Understanding these habitats informs effective control measures, such as targeted cleaning of clothing, bedding, and personal grooming, as well as prompt treatment of the host.