B85: Pediculosis and phthiriasis

B85.2: Pediculosis, unspecified

Lice are parasites that are nourished by human blood. Parasites are small creatures that, at least for periods of time, live off other creatures. In humans they can cause illnesses. You can become infected through close physical contact with lice, for example.

Lice can cause severe itching, particularly at night. The skin can become inflamed through scratching. Then the skin can get infected by other pathogens such as bacteria or fungi.