Pubic lice – Pediculosis pubis
Crab Lice (Pubic Lice; Pediculosis pubis)
What is pubic lice?
Pubic lice – tiny, barely visible parasites. They usually live in pubic hair, but it can also be found in other areas of the body with short hair, including eyelashes, eyebrows, armpits and mustache.
Pubic lice in appearance very similar to the tiny crabs.
Causes of pubic lice
Pubic lice are parasites – insects, who live at the expense of another animal. Pubic lice are spread by personal contact, usually, during sexual activity. Rarely, pubic lice can be spread by sharing personal items – linens, towel and clothes.
Risk Factors pubic lice
Factors, that may increase the risk of pubic lice include:
- Sexual contact with a carrier of pubic lice;
- Contact with contaminated objects, such as:
- Bedding;
- Towels;
- Clothing.
Symptoms of pubic lice
Symptoms include:
- Itch (It can vary from mild to severe);
- Tiny blue bumps on the skin, which is called the macula blue (The blue spot);
- On hair visible lice and their eggs.
Diagnosing the presence of pubic lice
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. He can diagnose the presence of pubic lice eggs after inspection pubic area.
They can be assigned to other tests to detect diseases, sexually transmitted.
Treatment for pubic lice
To cure pubic lice shampoo or use cream rinse, containing permethrin or pyrethrins.
Some lice can be resistant to treatment, The above recommended. For persistent cases, your doctor may recommend :
- Malathion – It approved only for patients older 6 years;
- Lindan – preparation, a prescription;
- Attention: Lindane is assigned only to patients, who can not take other medicines or, if previous treatments have proved ineffective. Lindane is very rarely can cause serious side effects, including convulsions and death. To him especially susceptible babies, elderly people, children and adults up to 50 kg, and people with some skin diseases. The drug should not be used by pregnant or nursing women or persons, which are uncontrollable seizures. Lindantoksinom not be abused;
- Ivermectin – The drug is intended for oral use. It should not be used by pregnant and nursing women;
Recommended steps of treatment for pubic lice:
- Wash contaminated area, wipe it with a dry towel;
- Carefully apply the medication to lice infested hair. Carefully follow the instructions, specified on the package. Leave the medication on the hair recommended time, not more;
- Clean hair from the drug in accordance with the instructions on the packaging;
- After treatment, Lice eggs can still be attached to the hair. You can remove them with your fingernails or a comb;
- Put on clean underwear and clothing
- If you have lice in eyebrows or eyelashes, you neobholimo will be applied to the infected area of Vaseline;
- Destroy all the lice and nits on clothing and bedding. Wash items, used for 2-3 days prior to treatment. Use the washing machine with hot water [ 54 ° C];
- Give dry-cleaned clothes, which can not be washed;
- Avoid disordered sexual life with different partners;
- If you want to go through a re-examination 7-10 days.
Prevention of pubic lice
To reduce the chance of contracting pubic lice:
- Limit the number of sexual partners;
- Watch for signs of the appearance of pubic lice, such as itching in the genital area;
- If you have you or someone else in your home has pubic lice, wash your hands thoroughly and dry bedding, towels and clothes;
- If you have pubic lice, inform your sexual partners, and refrain from intimate contact until recovery.
