You cannot get rid of pubic lice by washing or shaving, as the lice only need a minimal length of hair on which to lay their eggs. Therefore you do not need to shave your pubic hair. You can treat yourself at home with an insecticidal lotion or cream which is available over the counter from a pharmacy.
A lice-killing lotion containing 1% permethrin or a mousse containing pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide can be used to treat pubic (“crab”) lice. These products are available over-the-counter without a prescription at a local drug store or pharmacy.
We hate to ruin Bloomberg News' squirm-inducing report of the day, but there's no solid evidence that the increasing popularity of the bikini wax is, in fact, actually leading to the elimination of pubic lice. And, yes, we've heard this "trend" story before.
Pubic lice can be treated at home with (insecticidal) lotion or cream that will kill the lice. This will usually need to be applied once and repeated after 7 days. Everyone that you've had close body contact with should be treated at the same time.
Life Cycle:
Pubic lice (Pthirus pubis) have three stages: egg, nymph and adult.
They can also be spread through contact with the clothing and bedding of someone with crabs. Animals cannot get or spread pubic lice. If left untreated, the affected area will continue to itch. Repeated scratching of the infested area can result in other serious skin infections.
Public lice symptoms include pretty intense itching. But even though pubic lice can be uncomfortable, they don't cause any serious health problems. It's usually easy to get rid of them with over-the-counter medicines. Getting pubic lice doesn't mean you're dirty — it has nothing to do with hygiene or cleanliness.
While you are treating pubic lice: Wash and dry all clothing and bedding in hot water. Spray items that cannot be washed with a medicated spray that you can buy at the store. You can also seal items in plastic bags for 10 to 14 days to smother the lice.
The most common way to get pubic lice is through sexual activity. In children, pubic lice may be found in the eyebrows or eyelashes and can be a sign of sexual abuse. However, it may be possible to catch pubic lice after sharing clothing, bedsheets or towels with an infected person.
LINDANE (LIN dane) shampoo is a treatment for lice infestation of hair, including hair in the pubic area (crabs). This medicine kills the parasites and their eggs, but it does not prevent infestations. This medicine is a poison if it is not used properly.
If over-the-counter lotions or shampoos that have 1% permethrin (Nix) or pyrethrin don't kill your pubic lice, your doctor may prescribe stronger treatments, such as: Malathion. You apply this prescription lotion to the affected area and wash it off after eight to 12 hours. Ivermectin (Stromectol).
Applying topical creams or lotions containing permethrin (for example, Lyclear cream or Quellada lotion) to the whole body from neck to toes is the most commonly recommended treatment. You do not need to apply the cream to the hair on your head. See your doctor, pharmacist or sexual health centre for further advice.
You can opt for lemon juice: It is anti-inflammatory in nature and can treat pubic lice. Lemon juice can be mixed with a few tablespoons of sugar, salt and honey. The thick paste can be applied to the affected area and you will surely benefit from it.
Pubic lice (Pthirus pubis) maintain a worldwide parasitic population infesting two to over 10 percent of human populations, continuing a presence that has been constant since early evidence 10,000 years ago.
You can usually see pubic lice by looking closely, or you may need to use a magnifying glass. Pubic lice are tan or whitish-gray, and they look like tiny crabs. They get darker when they're full of blood. Crab eggs (called nits) on the bottom part of your pubic hairs.
Pubic lice affect men and women at all levels of society all over the world. Teens and people in their 20s are most often affected. But children and older adults can also get pubic lice. Some studies are showing pubic lice cases are decreasing because of genital hair removal techniques like waxing.
Pubic lice are small, crab‑like insects that are grey or brown‑red. They live in pubic hair, but can be on other body parts with hair (like the chest, armpit, face, eyelashes). Crabs can live for up to 24 hours on bedding, towels, and clothes.
While crabs can be annoying and cause discomfort, it's easy to treat them. Pubic lice won't cause long-term health problems, either. If you're not sure you have crabs, talk to your healthcare provider. Pubic lice treatment usually involves special creams or shampoos to kill the lice.
Under the microscope, pubic lice look like tiny crabs. To the naked eye, they appear to be pale gray, but get darker when swollen with blood. They attach themselves and their eggs to pubic hair, underarm hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Their eggs are white and are deposited in small clumps near the hair roots.
In fact, it can take up to six weeks for a child or adult to develop the typical itchiness that might prompt a head check. And even then, half the people with lice still won't exhibit any symptoms associated with lice.
A common misunderstanding is that infestation can be spread by sitting on a toilet seat. This isn't likely, since lice cannot survive away from a warm human body. Also, lice do not have feet designed to walk or hold onto smooth surfaces such as toilet seats.
But that's not to say that they can't survive in other locations, specifically in clothing or sheets. "It's an issue with clothing and bedding. The CDC's estimate for pubic louse survival off of a human host is one to two days.