Pubic lice, also known as “crabs”, are one of the most common types of STD’s. Up to 3 million Americans receive lice treatment each year. Most commonly, pubic lice is the result of sexual activity, however it can also be the result of contact with shared bedding, towels, clothing, or other materials where lice may live.
Although not life threatening, pubic lice can result in uncomfortable side effects to the host They are often extremely itchy, and can cause almost uncontrollable itching, which can lead to cuts and infection. Lice are also visible to the human eye and can be a cause for embarassment. Without proper care, lice can spread across your body, getting into difficult areas. Luckily there are viable pubic lice treatment options available.
Although not life threatening, pubic lice can result in uncomfortable side effects to the host They are often extremely itchy, and can cause almost uncontrollable itching, which can lead to cuts and infection. Lice are also visible to the human eye and can be a cause for embarassment. Without proper care, lice can spread across your body, getting into difficult areas. Luckily there are viable pubic lice treatment options available.
Lice start off white or grey in color, however, they turn red after they have fed off the blood of your body.
Shaving the infected area is not a sufficient cure. Lice can spread across the body to legs, arms, and other hair, as well, the nits, the term for lice eggs, can be quite resilient to normal methods of cleaning/washing.
Other home remedy pubic lice treatments that you may have heard such as using onions, oils, mayonnaise and other natural remedies, are not recommended by doctors, or health organizations, as there is still no medical evidence that these are workable solutions to kill lice and eggs.
Finding a viable pubic lice treatment can be a frustrating process. Unless all lice and eggs are completely killed from your body and all areas of your home, they can continue to multiply and come back. Many times, a first take, doesn’t work.
Luckily, there are shampoos, registered and approved by the FDA as viable pubic lice treatment options. Some of these shampoo’s can be purchased over the counter, or online (if you want to avoid the embarrassment of waiting in the checkout line). Thoroughly clean with FDA approved products, leave the medical shampoo in for a few minutes. Rinse and repeat. All clothes, bedding, and other materials which crabs may exist must be thoroughly washed, or put in a plastic bag for a week (lice need a body to feed on – store them away from a food source and they will die).
Additional complications may occur if you are pregnant, or the infection spreads to your eyebrows or around your eyelids. Many over the counter cure’s are not recommended for these conditions – in this case, you should see a doctor. Be sure to abstain from sex for 1-2 weeks after infection, until you are positive the lice are gone. Proper follow up or cleaning may be necessary to ensure the pubic lice treatment worked.
Additional complications may occur if you are pregnant, or the infection spreads to your eyebrows or around your eyelids. Many over the counter cure’s are not recommended for these conditions – in this case, you should see a doctor. Be sure to abstain from sex for 1-2 weeks after infection, until you are positive the lice are gone. Proper follow up or cleaning may be necessary to ensure the pubic lice treatment worked.
After lice are properly treated and gone, it still may take another one to two weeks for all side effects and itching to stop.
