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How do I Choose the Best Body Lice Treatments?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

In most cases, the best treatment for body lice is bathing. Washing your body with hot water and soap is usually enough to treat them if you also wash your clothing and linens in hot water. If this fails to work, you may purchase over-the-counter lice shampoos or lotions to help get rid of them. In the event that bathing, washing your clothes and linens, and using over-the-counter body lice treatments are not effective, however, you may have to see a doctor for a prescription medication.

Typically, the best body lice treatments involve good hygiene. This means you won’t usually have to buy a product or see a doctor to get rid of them. Instead, your best step toward getting rid of body lice is bathing or showering in hot water and using soap to scrub your body. Doing so may help get rid of the lice that are already present, and frequent bathing may help prevent a new infestation. It is important to note, however, that there is no need to risk burns to get rid of body lice; the water should be hot, but not hot enough to scald you.

Hygiene is often the best treatment for body lice.
Hygiene is often the best treatment for body lice.

Body lice may take up residence in clothing and bedding and may even spend some time in the towels you use to dry your body. As such, the best body lice treatments include washing your clothing, linens, and towels in detergent. As with your body, hot water is critical when you wash them, but you can make your water hotter than you would when bathing since there is no risk of burns. Some experts recommend machine washing your clothing, bedding, and towels in water that is at least 130°F (54.44°C).

Washing in hot water is critical to getting rid of body lice.
Washing in hot water is critical to getting rid of body lice.

If you find that you are still in need of treatment after you bathe and wash your clothing and bedding, you may try an over-the-counter treatment for lice. For example, you may find a body lice treatment in lotion or shampoo form. In the event that the over-the-counter treatment fails to work, you may decide to visit a doctor for help. He may prescribe a prescription-strength body lice treatment at this point.

If you opt for over-the-counter body lice treatments, it is important to be very careful with how you use them. It is usually critical that you follow the instructions exactly as they are listed. Some body lice treatments can have a toxic effect if used improperly.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

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    • Hygiene is often the best treatment for body lice.
      By: Warren Rosenberg
      Hygiene is often the best treatment for body lice.
    • Washing in hot water is critical to getting rid of body lice.
      By: Iurii Sokolov
      Washing in hot water is critical to getting rid of body lice.