If a hairy bodied man were to have head lice............?

Question

Would they work their way around his body hair?? If not, then why?? Surely 'hair' is 'hair'.

Answer 1

There are three sub species of lice that live on humans

Head lice

body lice

public live

Each lives on humans for their food source, human bloody but they are adapted to live in the different shapes, sizes and spacing between the different hair types. When viewed under a microscope they are physically different in body shape and especially the shapes of their limbs.

Head lice don't spread into other body hair because the conditions don't suit them and likewise body lice don't transfer to the head.

Answer 2

No. head lice are only found on the head, one of the main reasons is due to body temp, the head is generally cooler then any otehr part of the body, i.e. chest hair, pubic hair - as it isnt constrained by clothes keeping it insulated. another point is the coarseness and distance to aniother hair follicle is much closer in the scalp therefore better adapted for lices to travel and lay eggs.

Answer 3

Yes they could - in theory, but it also depends on hair coarseness, on the head hairs are closer together and longer (generally) so the lice have a certain leg span to grab the hairs and move. The body hair, if coarse or spread further apart is more difficult to cling on and lay their eggs so they tend to stay on the head.

Answer 4

Yes the lice could migrate to other parts of his body.

Answer 5

Yes - they can spread to all parts of the body.

Answer 6

Yes.

Answer 7

you betcha! buy enough "Quell" to douse the whole body.