Where do lice live besides the head? - briefly
Body lice inhabit the seams and folds of clothing, feeding on the host while off the scalp. Pubic (crab) lice colonize pubic hair and other coarse body hair, and head lice may also be found on eyebrows and eyelashes.
Where do lice live besides the head? - in detail
Lice that infest humans are not confined to the scalp. Adult head‑lice attach to any region bearing dense, fine hair, such as eyebrows, eyelashes, facial hair, chest hair, and the hair of the neck. Pubic lice (commonly called crab lice) occupy the coarse hair of the genital area, perianal region, and, in some cases, the axillae, beard, chest, and abdominal hair. Body lice reside in the seams and folds of clothing, especially undergarments, socks, and jackets; they lay eggs on fabric rather than on the skin itself.
Off‑host survival is limited. Under typical indoor conditions, lice can persist for 24–48 hours on bedding, towels, upholstered furniture, and other personal items that have recently contacted an infested person. The insects die when deprived of a suitable hair substrate and a blood meal.
Key environments where these parasites may be encountered, aside from the scalp, include:
- Facial hair (beard, mustache, sideburns)
- Eyebrows and eyelashes
- Pubic and perianal hair
- Axillary hair
- Body hair on the chest, abdomen, and back
- Clothing seams, especially in infrequently changed garments
- Bedding, towels, and other textiles that remain damp or unlaundered
Understanding the full range of habitats assists in targeted control measures, such as thorough laundering of clothing and linens, regular grooming of body hair, and inspection of personal garments for nits.