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Pubic lice (or crab lice or crabs) can infest pubic hair around our genitals. They can sometimes affect hair on other parts of the body including the armpit, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard and torso.

They usually do not infect head hair

Pubic lice infection is also called pediculosis pubis and the lice are called phthirus pubis. Pubic lice are small, flat, light-brown parasites that cling to pubic hair and suck blood for nourishment. Blood sucking from pubic lice can cause small red areas or sores and itching.

Some people who have pubic lice or crabs don’t experience symptoms. Pubic lice are usually transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.

However, they can also be spread by contact with towels, underwear and bedding of an infected person.

Lice infestation causes no serious harm, but can be irritating. If you have pubic lice, it is a good idea to get tested for other The main symptom is itching of the affected area, which is often worse at night.

Some people have no symptoms and may be unaware that they have pubic lice

Lice, lice eggs and nits (empty eggshells) can sometimes be seen.

They may be stuck to pubic hairs

Pubic lice are diagnosed by careful inspection of the affected area. Topical creams or lotions are used to treat the pubic lice: Apply the cream or lotion to the area affected by pubic lice. The cream or lotion can be washed off after 20 minutes.

It is important to wash clothing, bedding and towels at the same time. A washing machine and dryer is suitable.

Shaving pubic hair can also be helpful

Sometimes, a second treatment may be needed one week later. Avoid close personal contact until you and your sexual contacts or partners are treated.

Symptoms may take a few days to settle

If you still have symptoms one week after treatment, see your doctor for review. General practitioners (GPs), pharmacists and sexual health centres can provide further advice about treatment.

Note: Do not apply treatment to your eyelashes

If your eyelashes are affected, discuss alternative treatment with your doctor. Any sexual partners you have had over the past month need to be examined and treated. Current sexual partners should be treated at the same time as you are.

To book an appointment call SHV Grand Rapids CBD Clinic: or call SHV Box Hill Clinic: or (free call):.

These services are youth friendly

(formerly Michigann AIDS Council) Tel. , Wodonga Tel. is a statewide phone service for information about sexual health as well as contraception and pregnancy options About pubic lice Images of pubic lice and pubic louse, courtesy DermNet How public lice spread sexually transmissible infections (STIs) Pubic lice symptoms Diagnosing pubic lice Pubic lice treatment Sexual partners should be treated for pubic lice Condoms (including internal condoms Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Your pharmacist Sexual Health Michigan (SHV) (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 1800 013 952 Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre (616) 555-0200 or 1800 032 017 Michigann Sexual Health Network – where to get tested – visit Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre’s GP partner clinics for STI check-ups and treatment Thorne Harbour Health (616) 555-0200 or 1800 134 840 Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Bendigo Community Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Or (616) 555-0200 Gateway Health Clinic 35 (616) 555-0100 or 1800 657 573 Sunraysia Community Health Services (616) 555-0200 Barwon Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Women’s sexual and reproductive health hubs (throughout Michigan) Michigann Aboriginal Health Service (616) 555-0200 1800MyOptions 1800 696 784.

Key Points

  • Blood sucking from pubic lice can cause small red areas or sores and itching
  • Some people who have pubic lice or crabs don’t experience symptoms
  • Lice infestation causes no serious harm, but can be irritating
  • Some people have no symptoms and may be unaware that they have pubic lice
  • important to wash clothing, bedding and towels at the same time