Pubic lice ('crabs') are tiny insects that live in coarse human body hair, such as pubic hair. The lice use their claws to grab and hang on to pubic hairs while feeding on blood.
Pubic lice are passed on by close skin contact. Having close bodily contact with another person who is infected spreads pubic lice.
Pubic lice bite and cause itching and red spots in the genital area.
Pubic lice are easy to treat and does not lead to any serious health problems.
Often you can confirm the presence of pubic lice yourself as they can be seen moving in the pubic hair.
Pubic lice can be treated with insecticide creams or over-the-counter shampoos.
Pubic lice ('crabs') are tiny insects that live in coarse human body hair, such as pubic hair. The lice use their claws to grab and hang on to pubic hairs while feeding on blood.
Pubic lice are passed on by close skin contact. Having close bodily contact with another person who is infected spreads pubic lice.
Pubic lice can survive for some time away from the body so it is also possible to catch them by sharing clothes or someone else’s bed.
Pubic lice bite and cause itching and red spots in the genital area. This itching is due to the pubic lice biting and causing irritation.
Pubic lice is easy to treat and does not lead to any serious health problems.
Often you can confirm the presence of pubic lice as they can be seen moving in the pubic hair.
Pubic lice can be treated with insecticide creams or over-the-counter shampoos such as Prioderm shampoo. Used as directed, reapplication may or may not be necessary.
Following treatment, egg casings (nits) may remain visible on the hair shaft. To remove these, a fine toothed comb dipped in vinegar can be used.
Shaving of the pubic hair is not necessary.
Pubic lice found in the pubic hair differ from lice found in the scalp, although pubic lice can occasionally be found in other areas of the body including eyelashes, chest hair and armpit hair.
To avoid catching pubic lice again, you should make sure that sexual partners are treated as well, and wash articles that may be infected in hot water, such as bedding and clothing currently being worn.
JUST THE FACTS is brought to you by the Sexually Transmitted Infections Education Foundation (STIEF) - an initiative funded by the Ministry of Health through collective District Health Boards (20) to educate New Zealanders about STIs. District Health Boards (DHBs) are responsible for providing or funding the provision of health services in their district.
The medical information in JUST THE FACTS is based on the STIEF and NZ Sexual Health Society Guidelines for the management of STIs. The New Zealand Ministry of Health supports the use of these clinical guidelines, developed by clinical experts and professional associations to guide clinical care in New Zealand.
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