What are pubic lice?
Pubic lice, often referred to as "crabs" are small insects which attach themselves to human hairs. Adult lice lay eggs, or "nits" on hair shafts near the skin. These eggs, which are white or yellow and oval shaped, hatch in approximately seven to ten days. The lice then feed on human blood. Infections, which are prevalent worldwide, are most common in pubic hair, but can also be found in armpit hair, facial hair, and even eyelashes.
Symptoms and transmission
Common symptoms of pubic lice include itching that gets worse at night, and occasionally bleeding if one itches too much. Also, a rash or faint bluish spots may be visible at the site of bites. If the lice infect the eyebrows or eyelashes, inflammation of these areas may occur. Symptoms can become noticeable immediately after transmission, or may be delayed 2-4 weeks if eggs have not yet hatched.
Many people have pubic lice, but have no symptoms. This is due to the difficulty of seeing the lice, especially when located in the pubic region, as the white lice blend in with white skin and brown lice can be mistaken for moles or be hard to identify on darker skin tones.
Pubic lice are transmitted several ways. Most often, infection occurs through direct physical contact with an infected person. Transmission can also occur through contact with an infected person's bed linens, towels or clothes, as the lice can survive for up to two days without a human host. They cannot jump from person to person or be transmitted through animals.
Treatment
Pubic lice and nits are not killed with ordinary soap and water, so a special medication is necessary. Doctors commonly prescribe Permethrin 1% crème rinse, with a single treatment usually being enough to stop the infestation. The medicine is available over-the-counter, but is best taken after diagnosis from a healthcare professional and used under his or her supervision. You must read all of the directions before using the rinse and follow them exactly.
Usually, after using the medication, you will have to comb the infected region or use tweezers to remove nits, and take special precautions to guard against re-infection. Be sure to machine wash all clothing, towels and bed linens. Place all items that cannot be laundered in a plastic bag for a minimum of thirty days so the lice die. Sanitize the bathroom and shower using a cleaning solution. Also, inform those who you have had intimate contact with of your condition so that they too can seek treatment, and avoid additional contact until the infestation is resolved.
If lice are still found seven to ten days after treatment, an additional treatment may be necessary. Be aware that itching for an additional one or two weeks is common, due to allergic reactions from the bites. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience redness, swelling or tenderness around the areas of infestation, or if you accidentally get the medication in your eyes.
If lice are present in eyebrows or eyelashes, remove the nits with a comb or tweezers. See a healthcare provider for additional treatment, but DO NOT USE Permethrin or similar products near your eyes, mouth or on your face.
© - Reproduced with permission of SexInfo, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2007.