Lice Summary Lice are parasitic insects that can be found on people’s heads and bodies. They survive by feeding on human blood. Lice found on each area of the body are different from each other. The three types of lice that live on humans are head lice, body lice (also called clothes lice), and pubic lice (“crabs”). Symptoms of lice may include Intense itching Rash Visible nits (lice eggs) or crawling lice Lice spread most commonly by close person-to-person contact. Dogs, cats, and other pets do not spread human lice. Lice move by crawling. They cannot hop or fly. If you get lice, both over-the-counter and prescription medicines are available for treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Array Body lice Pubic lice Diagnosis and Tests Body Lice Diagnosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pubic “Crab” Lice Diagnosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Specifics Body Lice Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Prevention and Risk Factors Body Lice Prevention and Control Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pubic “Crab” Lice Prevention and Control Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Treatments and Therapies Body Lice Treatment Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pubic “Crab” Lice Treatment Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Lice Infestations National Institutes of Health Start Here Lice Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Parasites – Lice Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Teenagers Pubic Lice (Crabs) Nemours Foundation Children Pubic Lice (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Images Pubic Lice (Pediculosis Pubis) Logical Images Journal Articles Lice