Body lice are parasitic insects that live on the body and in the clothing or bedding of infested humans.
Infestation is common, found worldwide, and affects people of all races.
Body lice infestations spread rapidly under crowded conditions where hygiene is poor and there is frequent contact among people. Body lice are found only in homeless, transient populations who don't have access to changes of clothes or bath. Infestation is unlikely in anyone who bathes regularly. Occasionally eggs are attached to body hair. Epidemics of typhus and louse-borne relapsing fever have been caused by body lice.