Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Signs of Pubic Lice Or Crab Lice
Those who have never experienced a problem with pubic lice may not be sure what to do or where to turn for help. This article discusses the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and signs to look for.
Symptoms
Symptoms of pubic lice or crab lice vary from person to person, but they usually appear in the hairy areas of the human body. The most common area is in the pubic hair, but it can also be found in the eyelashes and armpits.
If you notice any of the signs or symptoms of pubic lice or crab lice, see a doctor right away. They can help you determine if you have an infestation, and they can also prescribe treatment for you.
The first step to treating pubic lice is to wash your clothes in hot water. You can either use a shampoo or conditioner specially made for the treatment, or you can use a medicated spray. Once you have finished washing your clothes, put them in an air-tight bag for at least three days.
You may need to repeat the treatment two weeks later, as lice can take up to a week to die after they are removed. You should also treat your family and anyone else in your household who may have close contact with you. You should also tell anyone who had sex within the last month or so.
If you are unsure if you have lice, you can look in the hair for white, oval eggs that are pearly in appearance. They are often clumped together. If you can, use a fine-toothed comb to remove the nits.
It is important to note that condoms are not effective at preventing pubic lice from spreading. Sexual contact is the primary way that pubic lice are transmitted, but they can also be spread by using items that have been shared. You should also keep your bedding and soft furnishings clean.
If you are unsure if your sex partners have lice, tell them about your diagnosis and give them the option of taking a test. If your doctor has prescribed treatment, they may also want to perform a test for STIs.
Once you are diagnosed with a lice infestation, you can buy lice medicine at your local pharmacy. These medicines include Nix, LiceMD, and Rid. The treatment is usually applied to the affected areas of your body, and you should leave the medicine on for at least two hours.
Signs to look out for
Symptoms of pubic lice can include itchiness, redness, and skin irritation. The itching is often worse at night. Itching can also result from scratching, which can cause an infection of the skin. If you’re experiencing sex-related itching, it’s a good idea to see a doctor.
The main signs to look out for are the nits, which are the oval-shaped eggs that live on the hair and follicles of the pubic region. The nits can be white, yellow or pearly. They are usually located in clumps at the base of the pubic hair. The eggs are not necessarily present, but they can be removed by a fine-toothed comb.
If you notice itching or a crab-like rash, it’s a good idea to visit the doctor. The doctor will be able to examine the area with a microscope. He or she will look for any signs of live lice. The doctor may also test you for other STIs.
You should also tell your sexual partner about your symptoms. If you have a new sex partner, you should delay having sex for at least a week. You should also avoid trying on bathing suits and swimwear until you’ve been treated for lice.
It’s important to treat yourself and your sexual partner at the same time. This way, the bugs will die. It’s a good idea to wash all of your clothing and other personal items in hot water. If you can’t wash them, you should put them in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks.
To get rid of the crabs, you’ll need to use treatments that kill the bugs. This includes insecticides you can buy over the counter or a prescription. You may have to try more than one type of treatment to get rid of the problem.
The best way to diagnose and treat a lice infestation is to consult a physician. Your healthcare provider will examine your body with a microscope and will ask you questions about your symptoms. He or she will also check your hair and the pubic region for signs of lice. Depending on the results, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan.
Diagnosis
Depending on the results of your physical examination, you may be diagnosed with pubic lice or crab lice. It is important to consult a doctor if you have symptoms of an infestation. You may also need to be tested for other sexually transmitted infections.
The most common forms of treatment for pubic lice are medicated shampoos and topical creams. You can buy over-the-counter treatments without a prescription from your local pharmacy.
A person with pubic lice or crab infestation should avoid having any sexual contact until they have been treated. The person should also avoid trying on bathing suits and other items that may be contaminated with lice. If the symptoms of an infestation don’t clear up within seven days, you should see a healthcare provider.
A visit to a general physician or a sexual health clinic is recommended. Your doctor or nurse may examine your skin and hair, and take a comb to check for live lice. They may also ask you to bring previous sexual partners to the clinic so they can be checked for STIs.
Some doctors use a magnifying glass to look for pubic lice. This can make it easier to identify the tiny crab-like legs. You should also check for nits, which are white ovals. You can remove the nits with a fine-toothed comb.
A doctor’s treatment may include a topical medication that contains permethrin. This cream is applied to the entire body. It should not be applied to head hair.
If you have multiple sexual partners, it is best to pause sex until you have been treated. You can also use barrier contraceptives to prevent lice from spreading to other people.
You should also keep your bedding and clothing clean. You should wash these items in hot water at 130oF (54oC). Then, you should dry them on the hottest setting. You should also put them in a plastic bag for at least two weeks.
You should also try to keep the infected area of your body clean. Scratching the infected area can lead to a skin infection.
Unlike head lice, pubic lice do not fly. They do not crawl as quickly.
Treatment
During sexual contact, pubic lice can easily be transmitted. They are parasitic insect that feeds on blood. They have six legs, including two pairs of back legs. Their nits can be removed by a fine-toothed comb.
The first step to treating lice is to see your doctor. Your doctor can prescribe medication for your condition. They may also recommend testing for sexually transmitted diseases. They will ask you about your current and past sexual partners. They will examine your body and hair for any signs of a sexually transmitted infection.
You can also buy over-the-counter treatments for pubic lice. These include topical creams, shampoos, and oral medicines. Some of these products are safe to use when you follow the instructions.
After applying the treatment, you should wait for a few hours. You should repeat the treatment a week or two later. You should not have any intimate contact with your sexual partners until after the treatment. You should also be careful to wear clean clothes and avoid sharing towels.
You should also make sure that your sexual partners have not had any sex during the last month. You can also tell your sexual partners that you have lice. You can get the treatment at your local pharmacy.
During the treatment, you should not touch your eyes. If you do, you could scratch the affected area of your skin and cause an infection. You should also wash your eyelashes in hot water, preferably with special treatment.
You should also keep your bedding and soft furnishings free of lice. If you cannot clean your bedding, you can dry them on a hot setting for 20 minutes. You should also store any clothing that cannot be washed in a sealed plastic bag for at least two weeks.
The itchiness caused by pubic lice can be uncomfortable. To reduce the itchiness, you can use antihistamines. You can also take an oatmeal bath or try a camomile lotion. You should see a doctor if you experience a skin infection or you do not feel any relief.
Your doctor can also suggest a medicated spray or ointment applied to the areas where you have symptoms. You can apply this to all your hairy areas.
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Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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