Pubic Lice – Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment
Whether you have been experiencing symptoms for a while or are just beginning to notice them, knowing the signs of pubic lice can help you make a quick diagnosis and start treatment. These three areas of prevention and treatment are discussed in this article.
Symptoms
Symptoms of pubic lice are intense itching in the genital area, with blood or blue spots forming after a bite. A person may also develop a skin infection after scratching the affected area. A doctor or pharmacist can advise you on how to treat a lice infestation.
The most common treatment involves using topical creams containing permethrin. These creams should be applied to the whole body. However, they should not be used on the eyelashes. The best way to prevent the spread of lice is to avoid sexual contact until treated.
Lice are small insects that live on the groin and other areas with coarse hair. They are about 1.1 to 1.8 millimeters long. They can become re-infected. They cannot survive without human blood.
The most common symptom of pubic lice is itching. The itch can last for several days after the infestation. The itching is caused by the body’s reaction to the lice bites. It can also be accompanied by a red or pale bluish spot on the skin.
Aside from the aforementioned symptoms, a person may also experience skin irritation. Lice are often spread through skin-to-skin contact with a sexual partner. The first step in preventing the spread of lice is to make sure that your partner has not had sex in the past month. You should also try to find out whether they have any other STIs.
There are several treatments for pubic lice. Some of them include medicated creams, lotions, shampoos, and insecticides. If you want to get rid of lice, you should start by getting rid of any remaining nits. The nits are the tiny oval eggs that live on the pubic hair.
Aside from the aforementioned treatment, you should keep your bedding and clothing free of lice. You can use a disinfectant to spray your mattresses and clothing, or you can dry them in the dryer on the hottest setting. If your bed linens cannot be laundered, you can put them in a sealed plastic bag for a few weeks.
Another important factor in preventing the spread of lice is to take action immediately. Lice are easily transmitted through clothing, towels, and other shared items. It is a good idea to keep all items in the house clean.
Diagnosis
Detecting lice infestation is usually done with the help of a magnifying glass. This magnifying glass helps you to find live and dead lice. It is also used to detect the nits, the empty white eggshells of the pubic lice.
Once you have discovered an infestation, it is time to start treating it. Topical lotions or shampoos that contain permethrin are the most commonly recommended treatments for lice. They should be applied to all hairy parts of the body. However, you should not apply them to eyelashes or head hair.
You should make sure to consult a doctor or a healthcare provider if you have pubic lice. This is because they can lead to a secondary bacterial infection, which can worsen your symptoms. You should also be examined for other sexually transmitted diseases.
To avoid an outbreak, you should wash all your clothes and bed linens in hot water. You should also avoid touching the person who has the lice. You can also use a comb to look for nits.
The doctor can also prescribe medications to treat the disease. You may have to wait for a few days before you can see the effects of the treatment. You should try to avoid sexual contact with anyone infested with pubic lice.
You can also buy a lice treatment from a drugstore without a prescription. You should follow all instructions carefully and take care not to apply the cream too often. You should not apply it more than twice a week.
When you are undergoing a physical evaluation to diagnose lice, the health provider may use a microscope to examine your hair. You may also be asked to wash your clothes with a special solution or to shave your pubic area.
The main types of treatment for lice are medicated shampoos, medicated lotions, and topical creams. You should treat all infested areas and not share your bed linens or towels.
The nits of the pubic lice are small ovals or pearly whites. They are usually in clumps. They are easy to find.
The doctor can also check your sexual partner’s skin for lice. This should be done at the same time you treat yourself.
Treatment
Getting rid of pubic lice is a matter of taking precautions. These tiny parasitic insects can be spread through sexual contact or by sharing towels or bed linen.
The main treatment for pubic lice is medicated shampoos and creams. You should also wash your bedding and clothing in hot water, and dry them on a hot cycle.
After treatment, you should wait at least a week before engaging in sexual activity. If you have had sex in the last month, you should also check your sexual partners. If any of them have been infected, you will need to visit your doctor. He or she may recommend testing for STIs.
The main way to prevent the infection from spreading is to treat the person who has it. You should see a doctor if you suspect that you have a lice infestation, or if you have any of the following symptoms.
The main symptoms of an infestation are itchiness, redness, and the development of welts on your skin. Itching is usually worse at night. You can remove the nits (the eggs of lice) with a fine-toothed comb.
You should not shave the area, and you should avoid wearing clothes or towels that are wet. You should also use a magnifying glass to make the diagnosis easier.
You should also apply insecticide lotion to the affected areas. You can get this lotion from your local pharmacy or healthcare provider. The lotion is easy to apply, and it is effective.
After applying the insecticide lotion, rinse it off after 10 minutes. You may need to apply it again a week later.
You should also avoid having any sexual contact until your lice are completely gone. This can include your current sexual partners, as well as any new ones.
Lice infestations can take several weeks to clear up, so if you have one, it is important to treat it. If you can’t get to a doctor, you can purchase a lice remedy from your local pharmacy. You can also go to a sexual health clinic that has trained staff to diagnose your infection.
Prevention
Keeping your bed and bathroom clean is the best way to prevent pubic lice. It is also a good idea to keep your bedding, clothing, and towels in good condition. You should also check with your family members to make sure they don’t have these insects.
You should also avoid sexual contact while you have an infestation of lice. If you think you may have lice, tell your doctor. They can prescribe medication to treat your lice.
You can prevent pubic lice by avoiding sharing your bed linen, towels, and clothing. You should wash your clothes in hot water and put them in the dryer on a hot setting for 20 minutes. You should also change your bedding and underwear daily. If you can’t wash your clothes, place them in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks.
You can also get rid of lice at home with the help of anti-pediculent drugs. These drugs are available at your local drugstore and pharmacy. They will kill the lice and their eggs.
You can also use a special magnifying glass to see if you have lice. If you do, you will need to shave your scalp and use an alcohol solution to disinfect your skin.
You should also visit a sexual health clinic to get a check-up. You will need to tell them about any sexual partners who had sex in the past month. The doctor will test you for STIs and possibly other conditions. You will also need to see them if you experience any symptoms of lice.
If you have lice, you should not try on bathing suits or swimwear. You should also change your sheets and towels daily. If you have a partner, you should treat them for lice as well.
You can also buy shampoos at a pharmacy that will kill the lice. They contain a substance called permethrin. You should not use shampoos on babies and pregnant women.
You should also avoid touching your face, eyes, and any other area where you have lice. Scratching this area can cause a skin infection.
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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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