Overview Of Pubic Lice
Pubic lice are tiny wingless insects that infect the pubic hair area and lay eggs. These lice can also be found in armpit hair, eyebrows, mustache, beard, around the anus, and eyelashes (in children).
Commonly Associated With
Pediculosis; Lice – pubic; Crabs; Pediculosis pubis; Phthirus pubis
Causes Of Pubic Lice
Pubic lice are most commonly spread during sexual activity. In very rare cases, they can spread through contact with objects such as toilet seats, sheets, blankets, or bathing suits (that you may try on at a store).
Animals cannot spread lice to humans.
Other types of lice include:
- Body lice
- Head lice
You are at greater risk for pubic lice if you:
- Have many sexual partners (higher incidence in men who have sex with men)
- Have sexual contact with an infected person
- Share bedding or clothing with an infected person
Symptoms Of Pubic Lice
Pubic lice cause itching in the area covered by pubic hair. Itching often gets worse at night. The itching may start soon after getting infected with lice, or it may not start for up to 2 to 4 weeks after contact.
Other symptoms can include:
- Local skin reactions to the bites that cause the skin to turn red or bluish-gray
- Sores in the genital area due to bites and scratching
Exams & Tests
Your health care provider will do an exam to look for:
- The lice
- Small gray-white oval eggs (nits) attached to the hair shafts in the outer genital area
- Scratch marks or signs of a skin infection
- Because pubic lice may cause an eye infection in young children, eyelashes should be looked at with a high-powered magnifying glass. Sexual transmission, and potential sexual molestation, should always be considered if they are found in children.
Adult lice are easy to identify with a special magnifying device called a dermoscope. They are often referred to as “the crabs” because of their appearance.
Teenagers and adults with pubic lice may need to be tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Treatment Of Pubic Lice
MEDICINES
Pubic lice are often treated with medicines that contain a substance called permethrin. To use this medicine:
- Thoroughly work the medicine into your pubic hair and surrounding area. Leave it on for at least 5 to 10 minutes, or as directed by your provider.
- Rinse well.
- Comb your pubic hair with a fine-toothed comb to remove eggs (nits). Applying vinegar to pubic hair before combing may help loosen the nits.
- In case of eyelash infestation, applying soft paraffin three times daily for 1 to 2 weeks may help.
Most people need only one treatment. If a second treatment is needed, it should be done 4 days to 1 week later.
Over-the-counter medicines to treat lice include Rid, Nix, LiceMD, among others. Malathione lotion is another option.
Sexual partners should be treated at the same time.
Other
While you are treating pubic lice:
- Wash and dry all clothing and bedding in hot water.
- Spray items that cannot be washed with a medicated spray that you can buy at the store. You can also seal items in plastic bags for 10 to 14 days to smother the lice.
