Pubic Lice Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Pubic lice are a type of parasite found on pubic hair. The louse that looks like a crab lives by consuming the blood of the sufferer.
Outside the body, genital lice can survive 1–2 days without any food supply. Although they generally live on pubic hair, pubic lice can also spread to other areas of the body that have hair. For example armpits, mustache or even the head through sexual contact.
Pubic lice can be experienced by anyone. However, the risk increases in those with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). So if pubic lice are found on someone, that person should also do an examination to find out whether there is an STI.
In children, finding pubic lice can indicate sexual abuse.
Symptom
The main symptom that indicates the presence of pubic lice is itching. If you look, you will find eggs or adult lice attached to the hair. This condition must be addressed immediately. If not treated immediately, fleas can cause infection or irritation of the skin.
In addition, other accompanying symptoms may appear, such as:
- Not too high a fever
- Weak
- Pale spots in the flea bite area
Reason
Pubic lice are caused by parasitic infections that generally live in pubic hair. If left untreated, these lice can spread to other areas of the body that also have hair. For example head hair, mustache, beard, or armpits through sexual intercourse.
In its life cycle, pubic lice have three forms, namely:
- Egg. Pubic lice are in the egg phase for 6–10 days and then hatch into larvae
- Larva or nymph. Nymphs are fleas that have just hatched and take 2–3 weeks to grow into adults.
- Adult lice. Measuring approximately 2 millimeters, this flea lives by consuming the blood of its host. Genital lice have 6 times with two front legs that are quite large. These two legs grow to resemble crab claws, so they are often referred to as crab lice.
The spread of pubic lice occurs through sexual contact. Even though it can spread through other objects – such as towels, sheets, or cloth – the incidence is very rare.
In fact, pubic lice can only live 1–2 days outside the human body and then die. Both eggs and adult lice are not easily separated from the sufferer’s hair unless the lice are dead. Fleas also cannot jump from one place to another.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of pubic lice can be determined if eggs or adult lice are found attached to the hair in the pubic area. Likewise, it can be found in other hairy areas of the body.
Pubic lice eggs are oval in shape and brown in color. Meanwhile, adult lice are yellow-gray and about 2 millimeters in size.
Treatment
Treatment of pubic lice is done by administering drugs, such as:
- Permethrin 1% containing pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide.
- Lindane shampoo. The use of this shampoo must be done with the instructions and supervision of a doctor. This is because the side effects can affect brain function and the nervous system.
- Due to these side effects, lindane shampoo is not used as the main treatment. Also avoid giving this shampoo to children, pregnant and lactating women, patients with wounds on the genital skin, and the elderly.
- Malathion 0.5%. This medication can kill eggs and adult lice at the same time.
- Ivermectin lotion
Prevention
To prevent the spread of genital lice, avoid sharing clothes, sheets, pillowcases, bolsters, towels and underwear with someone who is infected with pubic lice. In addition, also avoid having sexual contact as long as a person with pubic lice is still on treatment.