Pubic lice

Pubic lice or 'crabs' are unpleasant but, once diagnosed, easily treated.

 

Pubic lice ('crabs') are tiny parasitic insects that live in pubic hair, underarm hair, hair on the body and, occasionally, in eyebrows and eyelashes. They are yellow-grey or brown in colour and about 1-2mm long (smaller than a match-head). They have a crab-like appearance, so are often known as 'crabs'.
 

Female lice lay eggs which hatch into lice after about seven days. The eggs are called 'nits' and appear as brownish dots fixed to coarse body hair. Pubic lice attach strongly to hairs, and do not wash or brush off with normal cleaning.

Pubic lice commonly affect the pubic hair. Pubic lice don't live on the hair on your head and are different from head lice. However, they may also affect hair around the anus, underarm hair, beard, chest, eyebrows, and body hair. Eyelashes are occasionally affected. Scalp hair is a different type of hair, and is not commonly affected. (A different kind of louse called the head louse is the one that usually infects scalp hair.)


How do catch them?

They're easily passed from one person to another through close body contact or sexual contact. Both men and women can catch them and pass them on.

Pubic lice can live for up to 24 hours off the body, but because they depend on human blood for survival, they'll rarely leave the body unless there's close body contact with another person. Sexual contact is the common way, though close contact with family or friends may be a cause. For example, you may 'catch' pubic lice by hugging or kissing someone with an infected beard or moustache.

 

They move by crawling from hair to hair - they cannot jump or fly. Pubic lice can be spread by sharing clothing, bedding or towels.

 

Symptoms

 

Some people have no symptoms, or may not notice the lice or eggs, so you may not know whether you or a partner has pubic lice. It can take several weeks after coming into contact with pubic lice before any symptoms appear.

 

You might notice:

 

  • The main symptom is itch in the affected areas. This is usually in the pubic hair area. The itch may take several days to begin after you become infected
  • Black powdery droppings from the lice in underwear
  • Brown eggs on pubic or other body hair
  • Irritation and inflammation in the affected area, sometimes caused by scratching
  • Faint sky-blue dots (which disappear within a few days) or very tiny specks of blood on the skin
  • Skin irritation and scratching may cause redness or a rash in affected areas
  • You may develop eye inflammation if your eyelashes are affected
  • Some people have no symptoms, but can still pass lice on to others without realising.
  • Sometimes you might just notice the lice move, but they're tiny and keep still in the light.

 

Treatment

 

Get checked if you think you've been in contact with pubic lice. In most cases you can tell if you have them by looking closely.  Treatment is simple and involves using a special cream, lotion or shampoo. Everyone in your household should be treated at the same time, as well as any sexual partners.

 

Recent close contacts and sexual partners within the past three months should be examined for lice, and treated if infected. Remember, you can have pubic lice without symptoms.

 

Clinic Express provides rapid same day screening and treatment for numerous sexually transmitted infections and diseases.


You are welcome to use a false name if it makes you feel more comfortable during your treatment and in any subsequent contact with the Clinic. All tests, results and treatments are prescribed based on your Clinical Number and Date of Birth and not your name to ensure accuracy and fail-safe security of care.

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