The Top Sign

• Excessive or intense itching (pruritis) is a characteristic sign of a louse infestation that can occur with all three types of lice.
  
  

Head Lice

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other signs of head lice include problems sleeping (head lice activity increases in the dark), irritability, and sores on the head or scalp as a result of excessive scratching.
  
  

Body Lice

• Body lice, which are typically found on clothing and bedding from an infected person, cause symptoms such as sores on the body and a rash arising from an allergic reaction to the lice. If someone has body lice for an extended period of time, he might also develop thick, discolored portions of skin that the CDC refers to as "vagabond's disease."
  
  

Pubic Lice

• Often referred to as crab lice, pubic lice are typically found in the genital area and are usually transmitted through sexual contact; in addition to itching, signs of pubic lice include visibly identifying adult crawling lice and lice eggs (nits).
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• You can take steps to prevent a louse infestation, especially not sharing personal items that belong to others, such as brushes, combs, hats, towels, pillows and sleeping bags.