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Lice (pubic)



NHS Choices Syndication

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Crabs

'When my GP said I had pubic lice, I was revolted'

Elise Houghton had pubic lice when she was 17.

“I had gone on holiday with some girlfriends for the summer and had been away for about a week when I started getting symptoms. I was really itchy around the pubic area and had a bit of a rash. At first, I didn’t think anything of it, but after a few days the itching got worse. I couldn’t work out what was wrong, but a friend suggested I go to the doctor. 

“It was really embarrassing going to the doctor, and when she said it was pubic lice I felt revolted. The thought of them turned my stomach and it made me feel really dirty.

“The doctor told me how they were passed on through sexual contact and I realised I must have got them from someone I’d had a short fling with just before I left to go on holiday. It made me feel a bit sick.

“I was given special cream to kill the lice and their eggs, and I had to do two treatments. It was quite difficult keeping it quiet from my friends, but I didn’t really want them to know. I felt so embarrassed about it. I was still itching after treatment and I was really worried that it hadn’t worked, but when I went back to the doctor, she said that was normal and it would calm down, which it did. 

“Catching pubic lice made me much more careful about my sexual health. When I got home from holiday, I went to a sexual health clinic and had a full check-up. I was worried that if I had caught pubic lice, I could have caught something else.

“Thankfully, I got the all-clear, but since then I have become much more careful.”

Published Date
2014-04-17 15:29:02Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-14 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-14 00:00:00Z
Classification
Pubic lice


NHS Choices Syndication

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Crabs

Causes of pubic lice

Pubic lice are not related to poor personal hygiene. They are usually caught through close bodily contact with someone who is infected.

The lice can be found in hair almost anywhere on the body, such as beards, underarm hair and leg hair.

However, unlike head lice, they do not usually live in hair on the head.

Pubic lice crawl from the hair of one person to the hair of another person. They cannot jump, fly or swim.

Sexual contact

Pubic lice are most commonly passed on through sexual contact. This includes vaginal, anal and oral sex.

Using condoms and other methods of barrier contraception does not protect you against pubic lice.

Other types of close bodily contact, such as hugging and kissing, can also spread the lice.

Other ways of spreading pubic lice 

It is also thought that you can get pubic lice from infected items, such as:

  • clothing
  • bed linen
  • towels
  • toilet seats

However, it’s much rarer for lice to be spread in this way.  

The life cycle of pubic lice

Pubic lice live for one to three months. During this time, the female louse can lay up to 300 eggs. The eggs hatch after 6 to 10 days, and the lice reach maturity and can start reproducing two to three weeks later.

When not on a human body, pubic lice can live for around 24 to 48 hours. However, the lice depend on human blood to survive, so they rarely leave the body other than to move to another person. Pubic lice do not live on other animals.

Published Date
2014-04-17 16:26:50Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-14 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-14 00:00:00Z
Classification
Pubic lice


NHS Choices Syndication

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Crabs

Diagnosing pubic lice

If you think you have pubic lice, get checked as soon as possible.

You can go to:

  • a sexual health clinic, also called a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic
  • a contraception clinic
  • your GP surgery to see your GP or practice nurse

Sexual health and GUM clinics are often located in hospitals or health centres. Search for sexual health services in your area.

You can also search for GUM clinics in your area on the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) website.

In many cases, a healthcare professional will be able to confirm that you have pubic lice by examining the affected area. They may use a magnifying glass to look for:

  • yellow-grey or dusky red-coloured lice
  • brown lice eggs or empty white eggshells (nits)

If you find nits, it does not necessarily mean that you still have an active infestation, although you may still be offered treatment.

Getting tested for STIs

If you already know that you have pubic lice, your local pharmacy can offer advice and treatment.

However, if the pubic lice were transferred through sexual contact, it may be recommended that you are tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as a precaution.

It will also be recommended that all your sexual partners over the last three months are seen and treated.

Published Date
2014-04-17 16:03:22Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-14 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-14 00:00:00Z
Classification
Pubic lice,Sexual health,Sexual health clinics,Sexually transmitted infections


NHS Choices Syndication

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Crabs

Introduction

Pubic lice (Phthirus pubis) are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hair, such as pubic hair.

They spread through close body contact, most commonly sexual contact. 

After you get pubic lice, it can take several weeks before symptoms appear. The symptoms include:

  • itching in the affected areas
  • inflammation or irritation in the affected areas caused by scratching
  • black powder in your underwear
  • blue-coloured spots on your skin where the lice are living, such as on your thighs or lower abdomen (these are caused by lice bites)
  • tiny blood spots on your underwear or skin

Read more about the symptoms of pubic lice.

As well as being found in pubic hair, the lice are also sometimes found in:

  • underarm and leg hair
  • hair on the chest, abdomen and back
  • facial hair, such as beards and moustaches
  • eyelashes and eyebrows (very occasionally)

Pubic lice are sometimes called crab lice because they look similar to crabs. Adult lice are about 2mm long and are yellow-grey or dusky red in colour. The lice attach their eggs (or nits) to the base of hairs.

The lice do not transmit HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but a sexual health check-up is always recommended if you have pubic lice.

Pubic lice are not the same as head lice and do not live in the hair on your scalp.

How do you get pubic lice?

Pubic lice are not linked to poor personal hygiene. They are spread through close body contact with someone who has them.

The lice crawl from hair to hair, but cannot fly or jump. They need human blood to survive, so generally only leave the body to move from one person to another.

They are most commonly passed on during sexual contact. Condoms will not prevent them being passed to another person.

It is also possible for pubic lice to be spread through sharing clothes, towels and bedding.

Read more about the causes of pubic lice.

When to seek medical advice

If you think you may have pubic lice, go to your GP or your nearest sexual health clinic, also known as a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, for a check-up as soon as possible.

It is usually easy to diagnose pubic lice by examining the affected area. The doctor or nurse may use a magnifying glass to look for signs of the lice, such as pale-coloured eggs or the lice themselves.

If you have pubic lice as a result of sexual contact, you should be tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Find your local sexual health services.

Treating pubic lice

You can treat pubic lice yourself at home by using a special type of lotion, cream or shampoo. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you about which treatment to use and how to use it. It’s important to follow this advice.

The treatment is applied to the affected area and sometimes the whole body. It usually needs to be repeated after three to seven days.

If the treatment doesn’t work, you may need to use another type. This is because pubic lice can sometimes develop resistance to certain treatments. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on suitable alternatives.

It’s also important to treat anyone you have had close body contact with, including current sexual partners and household members.

Read more about treating pubic lice.

Complications of pubic lice

A pubic lice infestation can sometimes lead to minor complications, including skin and eye problems.

Skin problems

If you have pubic lice, your skin may become irritated from scratching.

Scratching can cause scratch marks on your skin, or it could lead to an infection such as impetigo (a contagious bacterial skin infection) or furunculosis (boils on the skin).

Eye problems

Eye infections, such as conjunctivitis, and eye inflammation, such as blepharitis, can sometimes develop if your eyelashes have been infested with pubic lice.

See your doctor if your eyes become sore.

Published Date
2014-04-17 16:49:01Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-14 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-14 00:00:00Z
Classification
Pubic lice,Sexual health,Sexual health clinics,Sexually transmitted infections


NHS Choices Syndication

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Crabs

See what the doctor sees with Map of Medicine

The Map of Medicine is used by doctors throughout the NHS to determine the best treatment options for their patients. NHS Choices offers everyone in England exclusive and free access to this cutting-edge internet resource, which lets you see exactly what your doctor sees.

The information in the Map has been approved by the UK’s leading clinical experts, is based on the best available clinical evidence, and is continually updated. To take advantage of this unique resource go to:

Map of Medicine: lice

Published Date
2011-09-11 18:18:39Z
Last Review Date
0001-01-01 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
0001-01-01 00:00:00Z
Classification


NHS Choices Syndication

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Crabs

Symptoms of pubic lice

After you come into contact with pubic lice, it can take several weeks before symptoms appear. Some people don’t have any symptoms, or may not notice them.

The symptoms of pubic lice are the same for both men and women, and include:

  • itching in the affected areas, which may be intense
  • inflammation and irritation in the affected areas caused by scratching
  • black powder in your underwear
  • blue-coloured spots on your skin where the lice are living, such as on your thighs or lower abdomen (these are caused by lice bites)
  • small spots of blood on your skin that are also caused by lice bites

Itching

Itching is the most common symptom of pubic lice. However, it can take several weeks after the first infestation for you to notice any itching.

The itching is not caused by the lice biting you – it’s an allergic reaction to the louse saliva.

The itching is usually worse during the night, when the lice are more active.

Pubic lice and eggs

Adult pubic lice are very small (about 2mm long) and difficult to see. The lice are yellow-grey or dusky red in colour and have six legs.

Two of the legs are larger than the others and look like the claws of a crab. The lice use these to grasp onto hairs.

The lice lay their eggs (nits) in sacs that are firmly stuck to hairs and are a pale brownish colour. When the eggs hatch, the empty sacs are white.

Although pubic lice and lice eggs are very small and not easy to see, they may be visible in coarse hair anywhere on your body (apart from the hair on your head).

You may also find empty white eggshells on your hairs, although this does not necessarily mean that you still have an infestation of pubic lice.

Published Date
2014-04-17 16:28:24Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-14 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-14 00:00:00Z
Classification
Itching,Pubic lice


NHS Choices Syndication

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Crabs

Treating pubic lice

Pubic lice can be treated at home with insecticide cream, lotion or shampoo. It will usually need to be applied once and repeated after three to seven days.

Some treatments only need to be applied to the affected area, but sometimes the whole body must be treated, taking care to avoid the eyes. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can give you more advice about this.

Everyone you have had close bodily contact with should also be treated at the same time. This includes any sexual partners you have had in the past three months and all members of your household. 

Sometimes pubic lice can be difficult to get rid of because they can develop resistance to insecticide treatments. If this is the case, you may need to try more than one type of treatment. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on suitable alternatives.

Washing clothing and bedding

It’s important to wash any clothing and bedding, including towels, in a washing machine. This should be on a hot cycle (50ºC or higher) to make sure the lice are killed to help prevent reinfection.

Treating yourself

You can treat yourself at home with an insecticide cream, lotion or shampoo. They are available on prescription from your doctor, or you can buy them over the counter from your pharmacy.

Before using the treatment, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about the correct way to use it. Follow their instructions, even if they are different to those on the packaging. 

Always ask for advice if the treatment is for:

  • a child under 18 years of age
  • someone who is pregnant or breastfeeding

These people may require a specific type of treatment. 

Applying a lotion, cream or shampoo

In most cases the instructions for using a lotion, cream or shampoo will be as follows:

  • apply the product to the affected area, particularly any hairy areas, such as your eyebrows, beard or moustache – depending on the product, you might need to apply it to your whole body, including the scalp, neck, ears and face
  • be careful not to get the product in your eyes – if you do, rinse your eyes thoroughly with water
  • reapply the treatment if you wash any part of your body during the treatment time
  • after the correct treatment time (stated on the packet) has passed, wash the lotion or cream off
  • repeat the treatment after three to seven days as instructed

Do not use the medication more than twice.

Treating an eyelash infestation

If your eyelashes are infested, seek specialist advice and help from your doctor.

You cannot use the same insecticide lotion or cream that you use on your body as this will irritate your eyes. Your doctor will be able to recommend an alternative treatment for you.

Eye ointment

An eye ointment with a white or yellow soft paraffin base may be recommended. This works by coating the lice in the greasy ointment and suffocating them. You should:

  • apply the ointment to your eyelashes twice a day, ensuring that all your eyelashes are well covered
  • each time you reapply the ointment, first gently wipe your eyelashes and eyelids clean with a tissue, and throw the tissue away afterwards
  • continue the treatment for at least eight days
  • continue the treatment for 10 days if you can still see lice or unhatched eggs (not empty eggshells or dead nits) – the eggs can take this long to hatch 

Side effects

Insecticides that are used to treat pubic lice may cause skin or eye irritation, such as itchiness, redness, stinging or burning.

If you have these side effects, wash the insecticide off the irritated area. If the insecticide gets into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly using plenty of water.

Some aqueous and alcohol-based medications may discolour permed, coloured or bleached hair. Check the patient information leaflet for more details.

Follow-up treatment

The first treatment application will probably kill the lice, but the eggs may not have been destroyed. This means that more lice could hatch and the cycle will start again.

Reapplying the treatment after seven days ensures that any lice are killed before they are old enough to lay more eggs.

Check for lice a week after your second treatment, or return to your doctor, sexual health clinic or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic so they can check for you.

If you find empty eggshells (dead nits), it does not necessarily mean that you are still infested. They can remain stuck to the hairs even after treatment.

Sometimes lice may be resistant to the treatment used and your doctor may recommend a different treatment.

Treating other people

To prevent reinfestation, anyone that you are in close contact with should also be treated at the same time as you. This includes your sexual partners and all members of your household, even if they do not have symptoms.

Infestations from sexual contact

Your GP may refer you to a GUM clinic so you can be screened for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia

Staff at the clinic will recommend that you inform any sexual partners you have had in the past three months so they can also be examined for pubic lice and treated if necessary.

Some people feel angry, upset or embarrassed about talking to their current or former sexual partners about pubic lice. Do not be afraid to discuss your concerns with clinic staff. They can help you decide the best way to make contact. They can also contact a partner without releasing your details, if you prefer.

Published Date
2014-04-17 16:00:08Z
Last Review Date
2014-04-14 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-04-14 00:00:00Z
Classification
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency,Pubic lice,Sexual health clinics,Sexually transmitted infections

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