Entity scope
This parent distinguishes head, body, and pubic lice as different human-health contexts. It does not treat them as one identical organism, exposure route, disease risk, or treatment problem; Head Lice remains a distinct child Profile.
Quick identity
- Parent scope
- Head, body, and pubic lice in distinct contexts
- Broad form
- Small wingless human ectoparasitic insects with grasping legs
- Context matters
- Scalp hair, clothing seams/body, or pubic/coarse hair
- Symptom limit
- Itching or a skin mark does not identify lice
- Disease boundary
- Identity does not diagnose disease; only body lice are established disease vectors among the three human types
- Visual status
- NO_VISUAL — no skin or diagnostic image used
Key characteristics
- Human lice crawl and do not hop or fly.
- Head and body lice are very similar morphologically; where lice and eggs are found is important context.
- Pubic lice have a broader crab-like body form but still require an actual specimen.
- Nits can be confused with dandruff and debris, so symptoms alone are insufficient.
Life stages
01
Egg (nit)
Attached to hair or clothing fibers depending on the louse context; debris can look similar.
02
Nymph
Smaller crawling stage that needs blood meals and resembles the adult.
03
Adult
Wingless grasping insect; body location and specimen characters help narrow the type.
Where it is found
- Head lice on scalp hair, especially near the scalp.
- Body lice mainly in clothing seams and folds, moving to skin to feed.
- Pubic lice primarily on coarse hair in the pubic region and sometimes other coarse body hair.
Behavior and activity
- Human lice spread mainly through relevant close contact; exact routes differ by type.
- Pets do not carry or spread human lice.
- Itching may be absent or delayed and cannot establish current infestation or type.
Diet and resources
- Human blood; the three human-louse contexts differ in attachment and ecology.
Narrow the group
Associated signs
A live specimen is stronger than itching; location and close examination are still needed.
Common lookalikes
Loose flakes are commonly mistaken for nits.
The existing specific child for scalp and hair context.
Symptoms require healthcare evaluation rather than pest inference.
Why it matters
Symptoms do not identify a louse or diagnose disease
Head, body, and pubic lice have different contexts and public-health significance. This Profile does not diagnose infestation from itching and does not provide medication or pediatric product instructions.
- Use an actual specimen or firmly attached nit plus body-location context.
- Seek healthcare or public-health guidance for uncertain identity, symptoms, pregnancy, young children, treatment failure, or possible body-lice context.
- Do not infer disease from louse identity or symptoms.
Management direction
- Document the specimen and exact hair, skin, or clothing location without sharing personal items.
- Use the Head Lice child when scalp/hair evidence fits.
- Keep treatment selection and medication instructions in current healthcare guidance, not this Profile.
Have a pest photo to check?
Start a new photo identification. This Profile gives comparison context; it does not transfer certainty or diagnose your image.
Identify a photoReviewed guidance and sources
Last reviewed August 2026. Sources support the claims listed with them; their limits remain part of the review.
- CDC — About Lice
Supports: The three human-louse contexts, crawling transmission, host restriction, and the disease boundary between body lice and other human lice.
Does not support: Exact louse identity from itching or treatment advice for an individual.
Scope note: U.S. public-health overview; diagnosis and treatment decisions belong to healthcare guidance.
- CDC DPDx — Pediculosis
Supports: Morphology, egg/nymph/adult stages, head-versus-body context, and the importance of finding a live louse.
Does not support: Diagnosis from itching alone or individualized treatment selection.
Scope note: Clinical laboratory reference; local healthcare guidance governs care.