Table of contents:
- Symptoms that appear if there are lice in pubic hair
- Do I need to see a doctor?
- Causes of pubic lice
- What is the effect if we get pubic lice?
- What to do if you get pubic lice?
- Treatments and remedies for pubic lice
- Treatment of pubic lice that can be done alone
- Prevent pubic lice
Pubic lice are small insects that can creep from a person's genital hair to another during sexual contact.
A person can also get genital lice from clothes, towels, and sheets. When the lice are on a person's body, these insects will live by sucking blood from the body they are in. Genital lice are sometimes called "crabs" because when viewed under a microscope they look like tiny crabs.
Symptoms that appear if there are lice in pubic hair
If you have genital lice, you may experience strong itching on your genitals. Pubic lice do not infect the scalp, but they can spread to other areas that contain body hair, including:
- Feet
- Chest
- Armpit
- Beard or mustache
- Eyelashes or eyebrows, more common in children.
Do I need to see a doctor?
Check with a doctor who specializes in skin and venereal diseases if you are exposed to genital lice and experience these conditions:
- The drugs sold in pharmacies do not work to kill fleas
- You are pregnant
- You have skin infections from scratching.
Causes of pubic lice
Genital lice are generally transmitted through sexual activity. Although not common, you may get genital lice from dirty sheets, blankets, towels or clothes.
What is the effect if we get pubic lice?
Genital lice rarely cause serious health problems, but the itching can be very uncomfortable, and it's easy to pass genital lice to other people. Female fleas last an average of 25 to 30 days and each can lay 20 to 30 eggs. Head lice can also live away from the body for 1 to 2 days, so it is important to get proper diagnosis and treatment, or they can take a long time to get rid of them.
What to do if you get pubic lice?
Before seeing your doctor, you may need to write a list of answers to the following questions:
- How long have you had genital lice?
- What symptoms are you experiencing?
- How do you get genital lice?
- Have you spread it to other people?
- What treatment have you taken?
- Do you have chronic health problems?
- What types of drugs or supplements do you take?
Treatments and remedies for pubic lice
If the over-the-counter medications and shampoos don't kill genital lice, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications, such as:
- Malathion (Ovide). Apply this lotion to the infected area and wash it off after eight to twelve hours.
- Ivermectin (Stromectol). It is used as a single dose of two pills, with the option of using another dose within 10 days if initial treatment is unsuccessful.
- Lindane. Because of its toxicity, lindane is usually prescribed only when other treatments have failed. Apply lindane to the infected area and wash it off after four minutes. Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, or children under 2 years of age.
- Treatment of genital lice in the eyes. If genital lice are found on the eyelashes, you can treat it by applying petroleum jelly onto the eyelids and lashes three times a day for several days. Alternatively or alternatively, the lice can be gently removed from the lashes using tweezers, a flea comb or your nails. The doctor may also prescribe a medication to be applied to the eyelids.
Treatment of pubic lice that can be done alone
You can get rid of genital lice with a careful and patient approach that involves cleaning yourself and contaminated personal items.
These steps may help you get rid of genital lice:
- Use lotion and shampoo. Choose from several over-the-counter lotions and shampoos designed to kill lice. Use the product according to the instructions. You may need to repeat this treatment for seven to ten days.
- Wash contaminated items. Wash used sheets, clothes and towels for two days after treatment with soap and hot water - at least 54 degrees Celsius - and dry over high heat for at least 20 minutes.
- Dry clean or store unwashed items in a closed area. If you can't wash the object, do it dry clean or store in an airless bag / bag for two weeks.
Prevent pubic lice
To prevent the growth of genital lice, avoid sexual contact or share sheets and clothing with someone who is infected. If you are receiving treatment for genital lice, your partner needs to be informed.
