Pubic lice, sometimes referred to in the genital area as the crabs, are very tiny insects that invade the genital region of your body. There are three kinds of lice that affect human beings:
- pediculus humanus capitis: head lice
- pediculus humanus corporis: body lice
- Pubic lice: Phthirus pubis
Lice feed on the blood of humans and can cause severe itching in the affected areas. The majority of lice in the pubic area reside on pubic hair and are transferred by sexual contact. In rare instances, they may also be found in armpit hair, eyelashes and hair on the face. They are usually smaller than head lice and body lice.
The lice infestation in the public is more prevalent among those infected by sexually transmitted diseases.
How do you obtain pubic lice?
Pubic lice typically spread via intimate contacts, such as sexual interactions. You can also catch this diseases through the towels, blankets, sheets or clothes of those with lice.
Hair shafts are the most commonplace for lice to lay eggs close to the skin. The eggs are referred to as nits. 7 to 10 days later, the nits develop into nymphs, and they begin eating your blood. The lice can remain without food for a couple of days.
Contrary to what many people believe, it is doubtful that you’ll catch lice on furniture or toilet seats. The majority of this disease can’t fall off their owners if they’re deceased. They can’t also leap between people, as do fleas.
Don’t let your children stay in your bed if you suffer from this problem. Children could get an infestation by sleeping in the same bed with this diseases. For children, lice are usually found in the eyebrows or eyelashes of their children. If you notice pubic lice, children may also signify sexual abuse.
Recognizing warning signs
People who suffer from it typically itch in the genital area or anus around five days after the first infection. In the evening, the itching becomes more severe. Other symptoms that are common to pubic lice are:
- low-grade fever
- irritability
- inability to focus
- small, bluish-coloured spots that are pale near the bites
Excessive itching can lead to wounds or even an infection in the areas affected. Children who suffer from lice-like infestations of their eyelashes also run the chance of contracting conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Diagnostics for the presence
It’s usually possible to determine the cause by carefully inspecting your pubic area. It is possible to use a magnifying glass to look for lice on your pubic area if you suspect that you’re suffering from an infestation but cannot discern enough clearly to know for sure.
The lice are typically light grey however they may turn dark after drinking blood. The chances are that you’re suffering from lice if you notice small crab-shaped insects moving through the pubic hair.
The eggs of lice are another indication of an outbreak. The eggs are small and white. They are typically found in the pubic hair’s root or any other hair on the body.
Contact your physician if experiencing signs of an infestation of lice in your pubic area.
Eliminating the pubic lice
Treatment for lice in the pubic removes the lice from your clothing and bedding.
The use of topical, non-prescription lotions and shampoos are a great option to eliminate pubic lice from your body. The treatments include creams containing permethrin: RID, Nix, and A-200. Consult your physician about which products are safe to apply if you’re pregnant or nursing or treating your child with this diseases.
It is possible to clean your pubic hair when your lice problem is not severe. Prescription medication may also be required when the solutions for your coat do not work. Follow the directions to learn precisely how much product to use and how long to apply the product to your skin.
Even after successful treatment, some lice eggs may cling to your hair. Eliminate any remaining nits with tweezers. DIY remedies, like shaving or hot baths, aren’t efficient to treat lice in the pubic area. Lice are easily able to survive shampoo and drinking water.
If several members of your family have contracted lice in the pub, be sure to treat everyone simultaneously. This can help to prevent the spread of infection.
It is also necessary to clean your home. Vacuum all the house and clean the bathroom with a bleach solution. Clean all bedding, towels and clothing with hot water and dry them in the most extreme setting. If you cannot dry clean or wash the item you’re trying to pass, then seal it up in a plastic bag that is airtight for 72 days.
If they resist the efforts, you may require more substantial treatment to combat lice. The products you can choose from comprise:
- Malathion is a lotion for the skin that you rub on the affected area for 8 or 12 hours.
- Ivermectin is a dose of two pills that you consume orally. You may require a second dose 10 days after.
- Lindane is the strongest and most harmful of the most commonly prescribed medication for lice in the pubic area. It’s recommended to keep it for 4 minutes before taking it off with water. Do not use this product with infants and on you if nursing or expecting.
If you have pubic lice on your eyelashes, you might be able to pluck the lice and nits using either a nit comb or tweezers. However, the most effective option to treat an infection near the eye is to visit the doctor. The doctor may prescribe specific lice medications suitable to the area around your eyes. Do not use ordinary shampoos for lice around your eyes. Trusted Source.
The itching can last for up to a week as your body processes its reaction to allergic bites. Contact your physician if you find swelling, skin discoloration or bleeding from the wounds.
How to avoid lice infestations of the pubic
To avoid getting an infestation of the disease, it is recommended to avoid sharing clothing or bedding with someone who has pubic lice. Sexual contact should be kept to a minimum until treatment is completed and effective.
If you’ve been diagnosed with pubic lice, it is essential to inform your past and current sexual partners to allow them to be treated in the same way.