Where does a louse bite? - briefly
Lice bite the skin, most often on the scalp, neck, wrists, or between the fingers, where they pierce the epidermis to feed on blood. The bite appears as a small, red, itchy spot that may develop a tiny pustule.
Where does a louse bite? - in detail
Lice attach to the skin with their claws and insert a short, needle‑like proboscis to feed on blood. The feeding site is typically confined to areas where hair or body‑hair density is high enough to provide a secure grip. On the head, bites appear on the scalp, especially behind the ears, at the nape of the neck, and along the hairline. In cases of body lice, the insects crawl over clothing and bite exposed skin, most often the shoulders, waist, and groin. Pubic lice favor the coarse hair of the genital region, but may also bite the abdomen, thighs, and perianal area. Each bite produces a tiny, reddened papule that may itch or develop a small pustule. The location reflects the insect’s need for a stable anchoring surface and easy access to capillaries.