Treatment for Body Lice (Pediculosis Corporis)

Environmental Measures

Machine washing all infested clothing, bedding, and linens in hot water and drying using the hot cycle, or dry-cleaning them, is the cornerstone of treatment and often sufficient without medication, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1, 2
Removing items from body contact for at least 72 hours if washing is not immediately possible is advised by the CDC 1
Fumigation of living areas is not necessary, according to the CDC 1

The CDC recommends permethrin 1% cream rinse applied to affected body areas and washed off after 10 minutes as the treatment of choice when medication is needed 1, 2
Alternatively, pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide can be applied to affected areas and washed off after 10 minutes, as suggested by the CDC 1
Lindane 1% lotion can be applied thinly to all body areas from the neck down and washed off after 8 hours, but should be avoided in pregnant or lactating women and children under 2 years due to neurotoxicity risk, as warned by the CDC 1

Pregnant and lactating women should be treated with permethrin or pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide, avoiding lindane, as recommended by the CDC and supported by Praxis Medical Insights 1, 2
Lindane should not be used following a bath or in persons with extensive dermatitis, as advised by the CDC 1