Pubic Lice

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Pubic (PEW-bik) lice are also called crabs, crab lice, or pediculosis (puh-DIK-u-lo-sis) pubis. Pubic lice live in the hairy area between and around your genitals. Pubic lice can also be on beards, leg hairs, underarms, eyelashes and brows, clothing, or bedding. Pubic lice are easily spread from person to person during sex or while sharing clothes or bedding. Special shampoos, lotions, and creams are used to treat pubic lice.
  
  
• Pubic lice are insects that bite the skin and feed on blood. Adult lice look like tiny crabs. They are the size of a pinhead. They are flat and light gray or brown. Adults lay nits (eggs) and glue them so tightly to body hair that they cannot be removed with normal washing. Nymphs hatch from nits and become adults in about 7 days.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. If you think it is not helping or that you are having side effects, call your caregiver.
  
  
• Carefully follow your caregiverʼs directions or the instructions on the lice medicine. Some lice medicines may cause you to be very sick if not used correctly. Do not leave lice medicine on your skin and hair longer than instructed. Do not use it more often than instructed.
  
  
• Put on clean underwear and clothes after your lice medicine treatment.
  
  
• Throw away all lice medicine that you do not use. Do not use old lice medicine.

Body contact:

• Do not have sex or have close body contact with anyone until your doctor tells you the lice and nits are all gone.
  
  
• If you have pubic lice, tell all sex partners so that they may be checked for lice and treated.

Clean clothes and bedding:

• Put on clean clothes and underwear after the lice treatment. Wash all clothes, towels, and bedding that you have used in hot, soapy water. Place them in a hot dryer for 20 minutes.
  
  
• If you do not have a washer and dryer, iron the items, seal them up in a plastic bag for 30 days or have them dry cleaned.

Combing:

• Lice-killing medicine does not always kill all the nits. You must remove them from your hair with your fingernails or a fine-toothed comb.
  
  
• A special comb for removing nits may come with the medicine, or you can buy one at a drugstore.
  
  
• Comb the lice-infested hair completely, from the skin outward. Do this once a day until treatment is complete.
  
  
• You do not have to shave or cut the hair in the affected area.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• The bites become pus-filled or crusty. This could mean the bite areas are infected.
  
  
• Your scalp hair becomes matted or foul-smelling. Sometimes pubic lice infest the head.
  
  
• If your skin is burning, itchy, or numb after the lice treatment. Also if it is red, stinging, or swollen after the lice treatment. You may be allergic to the lice medicine.
  
  
• Itching or red, swollen bite marks return after your lice medicine treatment.
  
  
• You have any problems that may be related to the medicine you are taking.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a fever and shaking chills.
  
  
• You are dizzy, feel sick or vomit (throw up), or have seizures after the lice treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Pubic Lice (Aftercare Instructions)