Darrick Robles If the pubic area is itchy, this could be a sign of pubic lice. These small insects are less than 2 mm in size, live in human pubic hair and feed on their host’s blood. This causes the itching in the affected area. How can you get rid of them? Find out more about the different treatment options here.
Pubic lice are related to head and body lice. They do not cause any serious health problems and are less common than head lice.
How can you tell if you have pubic lice?
The most common symptom is itching in the pubic area. It occurs up to a month after the initial infestation. Also typical are bluish lice bites and sores from scratching. The sores can become infected.
Pubic lice can also be found in chest or armpit hair, but also in facial hair, for example in the eyelashes, where they cause inflammation of the eyelids.
Pubic lice and their eggs, called nits, are visible to the naked eye. You can use a magnifying glass to be sure.
The most common complications of pubic lice are secondary infections of scratching sores and swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
Itching is sometimes confused with other skin conditions like scabies. If you are not sure, have your symptoms checked by a doctor.
How do you get pubic lice?
Like other lice, pubic lice are not a sign of poor personal hygiene. They are usually transmitted through physical contact, especially sexual contact. Therefore, they fall under the category of sexually transmitted diseases. Pubic lice can also be passed on through shared bedding or clothing. However, this is rarely the case as they can survive without a host for a maximum of 24 hours.
A female pubic lice lays up to three eggs a day. The nits stick to the hair until the young lice hatch 7 to 10 days later.
Some people are hypersensitive – comparable to an allergic reaction – to the secretion that pubic lice secrete when they bite. This causes the itching.
In the case of a repeated infestation, the itching reappears almost at the same time.
This is how you get rid of pubic lice
Treating pubic lice is done by applying a lice remedy to the affected area. In addition to treating the pubic area, you should also treat all other hairy areas of the body, such as the chest and legs. If there are a large number of nits, you should depilate the area.
Also treat all towels, bed linen and clothing by washing them at a temperature of at least 60°C. If this is not possible, you can use an antiparasitic spray. This is the only way to avoid getting pubic lice again.
Antiparasitic drugs do not work against nits. Therefore, check after seven to 10 days whether new lice have hatched. Then repeat the treatment if necessary.
If you are infested with pubic lice, we recommend that you get tested for other STDs (urethritis, syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV). Sexual partners also need treatment.
When to seek medical advice
Instantly. Pubic lice themselves are not a disease. However, the sores they cause can be very uncomfortable. The itching and the associated scratching mean a risk of infection. In addition, pubic lice are very easily transmitted. Only by treating it early can you avoid passing it on.
How can Med-Healths help?
Our doctors can tell you if you have pubic lice. If there are no complications, they will prescribe you appropriate treatment and may also order tests for sexually transmitted diseases.
