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Pubic Lice (Crabs)
Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live in body hair. They are yellow grey and about 2mm long. They are often called “Crabs” due to their appearance.
Pubic lice are not the same as head lice (nits) which some people get on their scalp. Pubic Lice tend to live in much coarser/thicker hair such as; the pubic hair, underarm hair, leg hair, chest and stomach hair and occasionally eyelashes, eyebrows and beards.
How is it passed on?
Pubic lice are easily passed from one person to another by close body contact. Both men and women can get pubic lice and pass them on. You do not need to have sex to pass them on.
Lice do not jump, they move from hair to hair, so can only pass through very close body contact.
Occasionally Pubic lice can be passed on towels, clothing or bedding.
Signs and symptoms
It can take several weeks after coming into contact with pubic lice for any symptoms to appear.
Symptoms may be:
- Itching in the affected area.
- Black powdery droppings from the lice in your underwear.
- Brown eggs on the affected hair.
- You may also see the lice, eggs or droppings.
What happens if I’m told I have Pubic lice?
Pubic lice can be treated easily, and just involves using a special cream or shampoo. It is usually left on for a certain period of time and then washed off. Some treatments need to be repeated.
Clothes, bedding and towels need to be washed at a very high temperature (above 50 *C) to avoid being re-infected.
Treatment for Pubic lice is free at Whittall Street Clinic. it can also be bought at the chemist or prescribed by your GP.
If you treat yourself, it is best to also have a full sexual health check-up to make sure you don’t have any other infections. It is also necessary for close contacts (eg sexual partners) to be treated to prevent re-infection.
Scabies
Scabies is caused by tiny parasitic mites, about the size of a full stop. When passed to a person they burrow into the skin and lay eggs.
The mites that cause scabies can be found in the genital area, on the hands, between fingers, on the wrists and elbows, underneath the arms, on the stomach, feet and ankles and around the buttocks.
How is it passed on?
Scabies can be passed from one person to another by close body contact with someone who has scabies. You do not have to have sex to catch scabies.
The mites can live outside the body for up to 72 hours, so it is occasionally possible to spread scabies on clothing, bedding or towels.
Signs and symptoms.
It can take up to six weeks from contact with someone with scabies for signs and symptoms to appear.
Symptoms include:
- Intense itching in the affected areas which may be worse at night or after a hot bath or shower.
- An itchy rash or tiny spots
- Fine silvery lines on the skin, particularly in the creases of the fingers or elbows.
What happens if I am told I have Scabies?
Scabies is easily treated using a cream or lotion which is applied to the whole body, then rinsed off after a certain amount of time. It may also need to be repeated.
Clothes, bedding and towels need to be washed at a very high temperature (above 50 *C) to avoid being re-infected.
Treatment for scabies is free at Whittall Street Clinic. it can also be bought at the chemist or prescribed by your GP.
If you treat yourself, it is best to also have a full sexual health check-up to make sure you don’t have any other infections. Your close contacts (eg sexual partners) will also need treatment to prevent re-infection.
