body louse
Seam-dwelling bloodsucker
A body louse is a parasitic insect that lives in clothing and feeds on human blood.
Unlike head lice, body lice inhabit fabric rather than hair, crawling onto skin only to feed.
They spread through contact with infested clothing or bedding and can transmit diseases like typhus.
Infestations typically occur where hygiene and laundering are difficult—among homeless populations, in wartime, or during disasters.
Medical term for itching
- scratchSuperficial wound or mark
- itchingIrritating skin sensation
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- rednessCrimson-hued state
inflammation · dermatitis · rash · excoriation · discomfort · scratching · skin lesions · secondary infection
Infestation of body lice
- liceBloodsucking scalp insects
- nitsLice before hatching
- infestOccupy harmfully en masse
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
epidemic · transmission · spread · proliferation · colonization · endemic · eradication · contagion
Organism feeding on host externally
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- entomologyStudy of insects
- nymphNature spirit or larva
- instarArthropod developmental stage
molting · exoskeleton · antenna · hexapod · invertebrate · parasitology · insecta · species
Louse-transmitted bacterial infection
- trench feverLouse-transmitted bacterial disease
- vectorQuantity with direction
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
- infectiousAble to spread disease
fever · wartime · concentration camps · homeless · refugee camps · outbreak · transmission
Absence of dirt
- bathingImmersion for cleanliness
- laundryItems needing cleaning
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
- washingCleaning with liquid
hot water · disinfection · soap · fumigation · sterilization · personal care · showering · ironing
pruritus
Medical term for itching
- scratchSuperficial wound or mark
- itchingIrritating skin sensation
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
redness · inflammation · dermatitis · rash · excoriation · discomfort · scratching · skin lesions · secondary infection · allergic reaction
pediculosis
Infestation of body lice
outbreak · epidemic · transmission · spread · proliferation · colonization · endemic · eradication · contagion · invasion
ectoparasite
Organism feeding on host externally
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- entomologyStudy of insects
- nymphNature spirit or larva
instar · molting · exoskeleton · antenna · hexapod · invertebrate · parasitology · insecta · species · metamorphosis
typhus
Louse-transmitted bacterial infection
- trench feverLouse-transmitted bacterial disease
- vectorQuantity with direction
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
infectious · fever · wartime · concentration camps · homeless · refugee camps · outbreak · transmission
cleanliness
Absence of dirt
- bathingImmersion for cleanliness
- laundryItems needing cleaning
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
washing · hot water · disinfection · soap · fumigation · sterilization · personal care · showering · ironing · boiling
body lousehead louse
Parasitic scalp insect
crab louse · flea · mosquito · botfly · leech
body lousesymbiont
Organism sharing mutual benefit
mutualist · beneficial bacteria · gut microbiome · commensal · gut flora
body lousecleanliness
Absence of dirt
hygiene · sanitation · sterility · disinfectant · antiseptic
body, bodies, bodied, bodily, bodywork, bodyguard, somebody, anybody, nobody