Just how embarrassing is it to suffer a dose of pubic lice, shameful or not, if you're infected you need treatment to clear pubic infestation. Although a condition known for reddening the cheeks it is a common problem resulting in lots of people having to hide their blushes?
Pediculosis Pubis - Otherwise known as pubic lice can be treated at home. No need for medical attention unless the cause of your itch is something other. Nevertheless it is wise for a doctor be the judge who determines the condition and to what appropriate treatments to use. Crabs although relatively harmless, can cause misery. Mites crawling round the pubic area can be sickening to the stomach. Pubic lice normally light brown in color, live on the skin, and are tiny flat-bodied insects with claws which are used for clinging to pubic hair. They feed on human blood; and are about 2mm long. Louse eggs appear like white dots which hatch in six to eight days. Crabs are "definitely" caught from close sexual contact. As for wearing another`s clothing or using their towels or bed sheets has to be determined. Nonetheless it makes sense for precautionary steps to be taken.
One primary symptom of pubic lice is, after the parasites have bred and amassed in numbers, a severe itch round the genital area occurs. A louse with rust colored specks inside - is a sign of digested blood. It is not unusual for lice settling in underarm hair, eyebrows, moustache or beard
Shaving pubic hair off is not the solution, nor is trying to smoke them out the answer. You may laugh at this last warning, but people go to great lengths to rid crawlies. Treatment purchased from the pharmacy or obtained on prescription are usually bottled solutions (insecticide shampoos) containing gamma benzene hexachloride. Clothing and fabrics you have come in contact with should be boiled washed or thrown away to prevent re-infestation.
If you have been sexually active and unaware at the time you suffered lice then tell the person/s you had had sexual relations with. Pubic lice are seen as an adult's version of child head lice. There are no physical complications with crabs; however having them can be mentally disturbing. Crabs spread like wildfire at an incredible speed, so the need to act quickly is vitally important.
Familiar symptoms are itchy red pimples - often part of a rash. Itching is caused by an allergy (hypersensitivity) to the lice themselves, not their bite. Yes they nip but not painful. Not everyone notices infection because of no urge to itch. It may take time while the insects gather in numbers. It can take 1 - 3 weeks for itching to develop after the first infestation. Deep brown/black powder on the skin or underwear is sign of louse droppings. It is best at all times to keep check down below for other conditions/disease. Regular hygiene pacts will have the genitals stay healthy and fresh.
1 It is estimated over 1 million of pubic lice sufferers is reported each year.
2 Pubic lice not caught through sexual contact can be passed on using unwashed bedding, clothes, flannels or bath towels of an infected person. This has yet to be truly proven.
3 Pubic lice are normally diagnosed by "you" or you're GP. It is best that a person of medical profession check out your condition for fear it may be something else. Some vaginal infections can cause itching, redness and pimples therefore allowing reason for confusion.
4 Although treatments are effective they may need to be applied more than once.
5 You lower the risk of getting pubic lice if you have the one sex partner. Unfortunately although a great barrier against disease, condoms do not stop pubic lice.
Pubic lice do not go away by themselves or without a fight, meaning, because of size, re-infestation rate, life cycle and their ability to develop resistance to particular insecticide treatments, makes removal difficult. Although fine tooth combing is good for ridding head lice, it's not a recommended option for pubic lice.
Treat yourself at home with an insecticidal lotion/cream. Ask for advice before using unfamiliar medication. The way to tell if treatment has been a success is, if no lice are found approx one week later. Just because the nits (empty eggshells) are present, this does not mean the treatment has: "not" worked. A thorough wash or a finger picking session to remove empty eggs will rid louse shells.
Particular medication guidelines may instruct you to apply to the scalp, face, neck and ears, paying particular attention to hairy areas of the body i.e. anus, inner thighs down to the knees.
- Malathion lotion (0.5% strength) is left on the infected area for 12 hours, overnight preferably before cleansing off.
- Permethrin cream (5% strength) is left on for a day (24 hours.) The cream is applied to clean dry cool skin; this helps it stay on the surface.
If lice are resistant to both types of medication, other insecticide treatment may be suggested, such as carbaryl or phenothrin. Lotions/creams are better for treating pubic lice than ones based on alcohol, as these can irritate the skin more. As with any formula, avoid getting it in the eyes. If eyes become irritated, rinse immediately with cool water.
If sexual contact is the definite cause of your crabs then a visit to a genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic maybe imminent. Screening for Chlamydia or other sexually transmitted infections may be done. Infested body parts aside from the genitals - may include you changing medication and the way an actual process is initiated. The eyes for instance have to be approached with utmost caution. Eye skin is sensitive and can react violently to specific substances. Special eye ointments are used for the eyelashes (insecticide cream rinse.) To avoid eye injury do not remove nits from your eyelashes. Eye treatment can last up to eight days. Ointment is normally applied twice daily. Carefully wipe eyelashes and eyelids with tissue - changing tissue each time.
Permethrin (1% strength) is the norm for lashes, whereas 5% Permethrin is not. Apply cream to edges of eyelids using a cotton wool bud. Leave for 8 minutes and rinse off. Malathion cream shampoo (1% strength) bought from the chemist is also effective.
Entering a chemist may be off putting but not half as much off putting as having to live with creepy crawlies drinking your blood.
