How can you identify pubic lice infestation. What are the most effective over-the-counter treatments for crab lice. Which natural remedies can help eliminate pubic lice at home. How to properly apply lice-killing medications. What steps should be taken to prevent reinfestation after treatment.

Understanding Pubic Lice: Causes, Symptoms, and Identification

Pubic lice, commonly known as crab lice, are tiny parasitic insects that infest the pubic hair area. These pests can cause significant discomfort and embarrassment, but understanding their nature is the first step towards effective treatment.

What causes pubic lice infestations? Pubic lice are primarily spread through sexual contact, but they can also be transmitted through close physical contact or sharing contaminated bedding, towels, or clothing. The lice attach themselves to pubic hair and feed on blood, causing irritation and itching.

How can you identify a pubic lice infestation? Look for these common signs:

• Intense itching in the pubic area
• Visible lice or eggs (nits) in pubic hair
• Small, blue-gray spots on the skin (caused by lice bites)
• Visible blood spots on underwear

If you suspect a pubic lice infestation, it’s crucial to begin treatment promptly to prevent further spread and discomfort.

Over-the-Counter Treatments: Effective Solutions for Crab Lice

When dealing with pubic lice, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can be highly effective. These medications are easily accessible and provide a quick solution for many infestations.

Which OTC treatments are most effective for pubic lice? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two primary options:

1. 1% permethrin lotion
2. Pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide mousse

How do these treatments work? Both permethrin and pyrethrins are insecticides that target the nervous system of lice, effectively killing them. Piperonyl butoxide enhances the effectiveness of pyrethrins by preventing lice from breaking down the insecticide.

Are OTC treatments safe to use? When used according to package instructions, these medications are generally safe and effective. However, it’s essential to read all warnings and follow the application instructions carefully to ensure optimal results and minimize potential side effects.

Natural Home Remedies: Alternative Approaches to Combating Crab Lice

While OTC treatments are often the first line of defense against pubic lice, some individuals prefer natural remedies. These alternatives can be effective, especially for those with sensitive skin or those looking for a more holistic approach.

Which natural remedies can help eliminate pubic lice? Consider these options:

• Tea tree oil: Known for its antiseptic and anti-parasitic properties
• Neem oil: A natural insecticide that can suffocate lice
• Vinegar rinse: May help loosen nits from hair shafts
• Petroleum jelly: Can potentially suffocate lice when applied liberally

How effective are natural remedies compared to OTC treatments? While natural remedies can be helpful, they may not be as consistently effective as medicated treatments. It’s important to monitor the infestation closely and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist.

Proper Application Techniques: Maximizing Treatment Efficacy

Regardless of the treatment method chosen, proper application is crucial for successfully eliminating pubic lice. Following the correct procedure ensures that the medication or remedy reaches all affected areas and maximizes its effectiveness.

How should you apply lice-killing medications or natural remedies?

1. Wash the infested area thoroughly and towel dry
2. Apply the treatment generously to all affected areas, including surrounding hair
3. Leave the treatment on for the recommended time (usually 8-12 hours)
4. Rinse thoroughly and comb through hair to remove dead lice and nits
5. Repeat treatment after 7-9 days to kill any newly hatched lice

Is it necessary to remove all nits after treatment? While not all nits may be viable after treatment, removing them can help prevent confusion during follow-up checks and reduce the risk of reinfestation.

Preventing Reinfestation: Essential Steps for Long-Term Relief

Treating pubic lice is only half the battle; preventing reinfestation is equally important for long-term relief. Taking proper precautions can help ensure that you remain lice-free after successful treatment.

What steps should be taken to prevent reinfestation after treatment?

• Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used in the 2-3 days before treatment in hot water (at least 130°F)
• Dry clean items that can’t be machine washed, or seal them in plastic bags for two weeks
• Vacuum carpets, furniture, and car seats thoroughly
• Avoid sexual contact until both you and your partner(s) have completed treatment
• Inform recent sexual partners so they can seek treatment if necessary

How long should you wait before resuming sexual activity? It’s advisable to wait until both you and your partner(s) have completed treatment and been re-evaluated to ensure the infestation is fully cleared.

When to Seek Professional Help: Recognizing Treatment-Resistant Cases

While many pubic lice infestations can be successfully treated at home, some cases may require professional medical intervention. Recognizing when to seek help is crucial for addressing persistent or severe infestations.

In which situations should you consult a healthcare provider for pubic lice?

• If symptoms persist after two rounds of treatment
• If you develop a secondary skin infection from scratching
• If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding
• If the infestation has spread to eyelashes or eyebrows
• If you have other underlying health conditions that may complicate treatment

What additional treatments might a healthcare provider recommend? In treatment-resistant cases, a doctor may prescribe stronger medications such as malathion lotion or oral ivermectin. These treatments are typically reserved for cases that don’t respond to OTC options.

Addressing Emotional Impact: Coping with the Psychological Effects of Pubic Lice

A pubic lice infestation can have significant psychological effects, including feelings of embarrassment, anxiety, and shame. Addressing these emotional impacts is an important part of the overall treatment process.

How can you cope with the emotional stress of a pubic lice infestation?

• Remember that pubic lice are a common problem and not a reflection of personal hygiene
• Seek support from trusted friends, family members, or a counselor
• Focus on the fact that the condition is treatable and temporary
• Practice self-care and stress-reduction techniques during treatment

Is it necessary to disclose a pubic lice infestation to past partners? While it may be uncomfortable, informing recent sexual partners is important for their health and to prevent potential reinfestation. Many health departments offer anonymous partner notification services if you’re uncomfortable doing so yourself.

Debunking Myths: Common Misconceptions About Pubic Lice

Misinformation about pubic lice can lead to unnecessary anxiety and ineffective treatment approaches. Addressing common myths is essential for proper understanding and management of the condition.

What are some prevalent myths about pubic lice?

• Myth: Pubic lice can jump or fly from person to person
• Fact: Pubic lice can only crawl and require close contact to spread
• Myth: Only people with poor hygiene get pubic lice
• Fact: Pubic lice can infest anyone, regardless of cleanliness
• Myth: You can get pubic lice from toilet seats
• Fact: Pubic lice cannot survive long away from a human host

Why is it important to dispel these myths? Understanding the true nature of pubic lice helps reduce stigma and ensures that people take appropriate prevention and treatment measures.

Long-Term Prevention: Strategies for Avoiding Future Infestations

While treating current infestations is crucial, implementing long-term prevention strategies can help avoid future occurrences of pubic lice. By adopting certain habits and precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of reinfestation.

What are some effective long-term prevention strategies for pubic lice?

• Practice safe sex and limit the number of sexual partners
• Avoid sharing clothing, towels, or bedding with others
• Regularly inspect yourself for signs of lice, especially after new sexual encounters
• Maintain open communication with sexual partners about sexual health
• Consider routine check-ups with a healthcare provider for overall sexual health

How often should you perform self-checks for pubic lice? It’s advisable to perform a thorough self-inspection at least once a month, or more frequently if you have multiple sexual partners or have recently been treated for pubic lice.

Understanding Treatment Resistance: When Lice Don’t Respond to Standard Therapies

In some cases, pubic lice may show resistance to standard treatments, making eradication more challenging. Understanding the reasons behind treatment resistance and knowing how to address it is crucial for effectively managing persistent infestations.

Why might pubic lice become resistant to treatment?

• Overuse or misuse of certain insecticides
• Genetic mutations in lice populations
• Incomplete treatment or failure to follow up with second applications
• Reinfestation from untreated partners or environments

How can treatment-resistant cases be managed? Healthcare providers may recommend alternative treatments such as oral medications, stronger topical insecticides, or combination therapies. In some cases, manual removal of lice and nits may be necessary alongside medication.

Special Considerations: Treating Pubic Lice in Sensitive Populations

Certain groups require special consideration when it comes to treating pubic lice. Pregnant women, young children, and individuals with certain health conditions may need modified treatment approaches to ensure safety and efficacy.

What special considerations are necessary for treating pubic lice in sensitive populations?

• Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before using any lice treatments
• Children under 2 years old may require prescription treatments rather than OTC options
• Individuals with skin conditions like eczema may need gentler treatment options
• People with compromised immune systems may require closer monitoring during treatment

Are there safe treatment options for pregnant women with pubic lice? Some treatments, such as permethrin, are considered safe for use during pregnancy when used as directed. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Environmental Control: Ensuring Your Living Space is Lice-Free

While pubic lice primarily spread through close personal contact, environmental control measures can play a crucial role in preventing reinfestation and ensuring complete eradication of the pests from your living space.

What environmental control measures should be taken when dealing with pubic lice?

• Wash and dry all bedding, clothing, and towels used in the past 2-3 days at high temperatures
• Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats thoroughly
• Seal non-washable items in plastic bags for at least two weeks
• Consider using a lice-killing spray on non-washable furniture or items
• Replace or thoroughly clean personal grooming items like combs and brushes

How long can pubic lice survive in the environment? Pubic lice typically cannot survive for more than 24-48 hours away from a human host. However, taking these precautions ensures that any potentially surviving lice or eggs are eliminated.

Complementary Therapies: Supporting Your Body During Lice Treatment

While treating pubic lice directly is crucial, supporting your body’s overall health can aid in recovery and help manage symptoms. Complementary therapies can be used alongside standard treatments to enhance comfort and promote healing.

Which complementary therapies can support the body during lice treatment?

• Soothing oatmeal baths to relieve itching and inflammation
• Aloe vera gel application to calm irritated skin
• Stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga to support overall well-being
• Immune-boosting foods and supplements to aid in recovery
• Probiotics to support gut health, which is linked to overall immunity

Can dietary changes help in managing pubic lice infestations? While diet doesn’t directly affect lice, maintaining a balanced, nutrient-rich diet can support your immune system and skin health, potentially aiding in recovery and reducing discomfort.

Post-Treatment Care: Ensuring Complete Eradication and Skin Recovery

After completing the initial treatment for pubic lice, proper post-treatment care is essential to ensure complete eradication of the infestation and to support the healing of affected skin areas. This phase is crucial for preventing reinfestation and addressing any lingering symptoms.

What steps should be taken for effective post-treatment care?

• Perform regular self-checks to ensure all lice and nits are gone
• Apply soothing lotions or creams to alleviate any remaining skin irritation
• Continue to wash bedding and clothing in hot water for at least a week post-treatment
• Avoid scratching treated areas to prevent secondary infections
• Follow up with a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen

How long does it typically take for skin to fully recover after a pubic lice infestation? While the lice themselves can be eliminated quickly with proper treatment, skin irritation may take 1-2 weeks to fully subside. Persistent or severe symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

CDC – Lice – Pubic “Crab” Lice

A lice-killing lotion containing 1% permethrin or a mousse containing pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide can be used to treat pubic (“crab”) lice. These products are available over-the-counter without a prescription at a local drug store or pharmacy. These medications are safe and effective when used exactly according to the instructions in the package or on the label.

Lindane shampoo is a prescription medication that can kill lice and lice eggs. However, lindane is not recommended as a first-line therapy. Lindane can be toxic to the brain and other parts of the nervous system; its use should be restricted to patients who have failed treatment with or cannot tolerate other medications that pose less risk. Lindane should not be used to treat premature infants, persons with a seizure disorder, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, persons who have very irritated skin or sores where the lindane will be applied, infants, children, the elderly, and persons who weigh less than 110 pounds.

Malathion* lotion 0.5% (Ovide*) is a prescription medication that can kill lice and some lice eggs; however, malathion lotion (Ovide*) currently has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of pubic (“crab”) lice.

Both topical and oral ivermectin have been used successfully to treat lice; however, only topical ivermectin lotion currently is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of lice. Oral ivermectin is not FDA-approved for treatment of lice.

How to treat pubic lice infestations: (Warning: See special instructions for treatment of lice and nits on eyebrows or eyelashes. The lice medications described in this section should not be used near the eyes.)

1. Wash the infested area; towel dry.
2. Carefully follow the instructions in the package or on the label. Thoroughly saturate the pubic hair and other infested areas with lice medication. Leave medication on hair for the time recommended in the instructions. After waiting the recommended time, remove the medication by following carefully the instructions on the label or in the box.
3. Following treatment, most nits will still be attached to hair shafts. Nits may be removed with fingernails or by using a fine-toothed comb.
4. Put on clean underwear and clothing after treatment.
5. To kill any lice or nits remaining on clothing, towels, or bedding, machine-wash and machine-dry those items that the infested person used during the 2–3 days before treatment. Use hot water (at least 130°F) and the hot dryer cycle.
6. Items that cannot be laundered can be dry-cleaned or stored in a sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks.
7. All sex partners from within the previous month should be informed that they are at risk for infestation and should be treated.
8. Persons should avoid sexual contact with their sex partner(s) until both they and their partners have been successfully treated and reevaluated to rule out persistent infestation.
9. Repeat treatment in 9–10 days if live lice are still found.
10. Persons with pubic lice should be evaluated for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Special instructions for treatment of lice and nits found on eyebrows or eyelashes:

• If only a few live lice and nits are present, it may be possible to remove these with fingernails or a nit comb.
• If additional treatment is needed for lice or nits on the eyelashes, careful application of ophthalmic-grade petrolatum ointment (only available by prescription) to the eyelid margins 2–4 times a day for 10 days is effective. Regular petrolatum (e.g., Vaseline)* should not be used because it can irritate the eyes if applied.

*Use of trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the Public Health Service or by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This information is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider. If you have any questions about the parasites described above or think that you may have a parasitic infection, consult a health care provider.

Page last reviewed: September 12, 2019

Content source: Global Health, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria

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Where Can I Get Treated For Pubic Lice?

In This Section

• Pubic Lice (Crabs)

• What are the symptoms of pubic lice?

• Do I have pubic lice?

• How do I treat pubic lice?

• How can I prevent getting or spreading pubic lice?

Pubic lice are easy to treat — you usually don’t even need a doctor’s prescription. You can get over-the-counter pubic lice treatment at a drugstore, or from your nurse or doctor.

What’s the treatment for pubic lice?

Pubic lice treatments are easy to use and come in gels, shampoos, liquids, and foam. Most are sold over-the-counter in drugstores, so you can buy them without getting a prescription from a doctor first. Common brands are A-200, Rid, and Nix. Follow the directions that come in the package carefully. You may need to use the treatment more than once.

You can get stronger medicines for pubic lice with a prescription. If you have lice in your eyebrows or eyelashes, you need a special kind of treatment that you can only get from your nurse or doctor. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your nurse or doctor before using any treatment.

Anyone you’ve had intimate contact with should treat themselves at the same time, so you don’t pass crabs back and forth. Always use freshly-washed clothes, towels, and bedding after you finish treatment.

What do I need to do to get rid of pubic lice?

Even after you finish the treatment, most of the nits (lice eggs) will stay stuck to your hairs. You can pick them off with your fingernails or a fine-toothed comb.

Along with using medication, wash or dry clean all of your bedding and towels. Also wash or dry clean any clothing that you wore while you had crabs. Wash these fabrics on the hottest setting, and dry them on the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.

You can also put fabrics that can’t be washed in a sealed bag for 2 weeks, until the crabs and their eggs die out. You can also vacuum rugs and furniture. You don’t need to call an exterminator or fumigate your home.

Tell your sexual partners and anyone else you’ve had intimate contact with during the last month that they may have crabs. You should all treat yourselves at the same time so you don’t re-infect each other. And don’t have sex or any other kind of intimate contact until everyone finishes their treatment and knows their crabs are gone for good. It’s also a good idea to get tested for other STDs.

If you still see live lice after 9-10 days, do the treatment again. And make sure you’ve washed everything you needed to, and that your sexual partners did the treatment too. If the crabs still don’t go away, talk to your nurse or doctor.

Is there a home remedy for public lice?

Home remedies like hot baths or shaving don’t work. Treatments that soothe itching (like hydrocortisone cream) can help you feel better, but they won’t cure your crabs. The only thing that will actually get rid of your crabs for good are medicines meant to kill pubic lice. 

Trying to treat your pubic lice with home remedies can make your infection worse, and waiting to treat your pubic lice can make it more likely that you’ll spread the crabs to other people. 

Pubic lice are easy to treat — you usually don’t even need a prescription. You can get over-the-counter pubic lice treatment at a drugstore, or from your nurse or doctor.

More questions from patients:

How long does pubic lice live on clothes?

Pubic lice (crabs) feed on human blood. So if one falls off your body, it usually dies within 1–2 days. However, their eggs can take about 6–10 days to hatch. So if an egg is on your clothing or bed sheets, that can cause another infection. 

To get rid of pubic lice and their eggs, machine wash and dry your clothes and bed sheets in hot water (at least 130°F) and the high heat drying cycle. Clothes and other things that aren’t washable can be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks (until the lice and eggs die out).

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How to quickly and competently cure pediculosis?

One of the main features of the parasitic disease of pediculosis is the rapid spread of the disease and a quick cure, which cannot be called quite expensive either in time or in material resources. This disease has come to us since ancient times, when outbreaks of epidemics and foci of unsanitary conditions were integral companions of people’s daily lives.

However, modern doctors deny the theory that the causative agents of human pediculosis – head, body and pubic lice choose their owner in accordance with the regularity of their observance of the basic rules of personal and public hygiene, since lice are often found in people who are quite scrupulous in matters of self-care.

In fact, lice are much more likely to cling to people who are prone to more frequent water procedures, since the protective film of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands, which prevents lice from biting and feeding, does not linger on their skin. The absence of an additional protective barrier on the skin creates an optimal environment for the pathological activity of lice, so doctors strongly advise not to exceed the number of bath procedures per day, it is enough to limit yourself to 1-2.

Lice do not feed on pieces of the upper layers of the skin or hairline, as many people think. Lice are blood-sucking organisms that, in the process of evolution, have adapted perfectly to obtaining food. At the end of their paws there are special hooks with which lice cling to hair roots during feeding, and their oral apparatus is adapted to pierce the epidermis and absorb blood.
The definition of pediculosis will not be difficult if you know about the characteristic symptoms that reveal the parasitic activity of lice:

1. Detection of live insects in the scalp, on eyelashes and eyebrows, on mustaches and beards, on bed linen and in folds of clothing, in the armpit and around the genitals;
2. Detection of lice eggs, which look like rounded white or yellow grains, which are usually found at the very base of the hair shaft;
3. Constant feeling of itching in the areas affected by parasites, caused by lice bites and injection into the wounds of the secret of the salivary glands;
4. Redness and scratching at the sites of bites, accumulation of pigment cells under the upper layers of the epidermis, a yellow border around bite wounds;
5. Dark spots of blue or bluish color in places of the most active vital activity of parasites;
6. The appearance of rashes, abscesses and boils, which is a consequence of a violation of the integrity of the skin during the feeding of lice;
7. The affected area of ​​the skin thickens, becomes rough to the touch;
8. In the case of prolonged parasitism of lice on the same host, the hair follicles become inflamed, interruptions occur in their normal functioning, which causes folliculitis.

The treatment of pediculosis consists of several stages: inhibition of the vital activity of lice, combing out nits and dead parasites from the hairline, heat treatment of clothes, personal hygiene items and washing of bed linen of a person suffering from pediculosis, and then repeated chemical treatment of the affected skin area and combing out the lice so as not to cause a recurrence of the disease in the event of an inattentive check of the skin and hairline for the presence of parasites after the first treatment.

Medicines for the elimination of lice are divided into products for external use and products for internal use. Means of internal use are aimed at changing the chemical composition of the blood to a more toxic one for parasites, which negatively affects their vital functions, killing lice during feeding. Substances for external use are safer and less harmful to humans, since they directly affect parasites, inhibiting their activity by asphyxiation.

In some topical products, substances such as permethrin, phenothrin, malathion and pyrethrin can be found in the composition. These components help not only to kill living insects, but also act on the compacted membrane of nits, dissolving it and killing the larva inside even before it leaves the egg. Such drugs help to more effectively fight pediculosis, since they simultaneously destroy adult lice and prevent the larvae from developing, which prevents the appearance of new offspring of parasites.

For effective removal of lice and nits, doctors strongly recommend drugs such as Nittifor, Para Plus, Pedex, Spray-Pax, Nix, Spregal, Medifox, Hygia shampoo, permethrin ointment, Nit, Pediculen, Nudu, Reed and Medilis Malathion.

The use of these preparations is the chemical part of getting rid of lice and nits. After using one of these products, dead insects and nits should be combed out with a fine-toothed comb over a sheet or over a white sheet of paper (light-colored material is needed to more accurately check the hairline for parasites). After using an external lice remover, you can not wash your head for another two days. If necessary, treatment with the drug should be repeated no later than three days later. If most of the parasites remain alive after treating the skin with a chemical agent, then this drug is not suitable for you and it must be replaced with another one.

Treatment of pediculosis in children consists in careful heat treatment of the child’s personal belongings, washing and ironing clothes and bed linen, as well as treating the affected area with a drug that does not contain aggressive synthetic insecticides that can negatively affect the physiological functions of the baby’s body. Until complete recovery, it is best to limit the appearance of the child in crowded places so that he does not become a source of infection.

You can also get rid of lice in children with the help of alternative therapy methods, which are more gentle in effect, but are not inferior in effectiveness to pharmacy products. A mixture of turpentine and olive vegetable oil in a ratio of 1:10 can be applied to the affected skin area so that the turpentine does not cause chemical burns on the skin.

Eliminate parasites and dissolve the adhesive that attaches the nits to the hair fibers, which will facilitate the task of combing out the lice, parsley decoction with crushed black cumin seeds and petroleum jelly will help. The consistency of the mixture is quite thick, which will create unfavorable conditions for feeding and development of parasites.

In the fight against pediculosis, a garlic-onion mask to get rid of lice will be an excellent helper. Onion must be finely chopped, add 3-4 cloves of crushed garlic and 2 egg yolks. This mixture is best heated in a water bath, then applied to the scalp and wrapped with a scarf to create an additional thermal effect. Lice cannot stand the specific aroma of onions and die from suffocation.

Women during pregnancy and breastfeeding need to remember that the treatment of pediculosis should not include the use of drugs with many aggressive components that can penetrate the fetus through the placenta or adversely affect the composition of milk, changing it to more toxic for the baby.

The best solution to get rid of pediculosis will be alternative therapy methods that allow you to effectively deal with the pathological activity of lice, while not having a harmful effect on the mother’s body and on the baby’s still fragile body.

You can neutralize parasites with cranberry juice, boric ointment, tar soap and mint decoction with pomegranate juice. You can also use essential oils that are too strong for lice, such as geranium, lavender, lemon, or tea tree.

Since the skin of a woman during pregnancy is highly sensitive, doctors do not recommend the use of apple or table vinegar to combat lice in pregnant women, since even a low concentration of the agent can cause chemical burns of the skin.

Preventive measures against lice infestation consist of the systematic observance of personal and social hygiene rules, which include regular washing of the body and head, regular washing and ironing of clothes and bedding, the use of lavender oil or tea tree oil to repel parasites. You also need to remember that your personal items, such as hair ties and hairpins, a comb, hats, as well as wardrobe items and a towel, are strictly yours and cannot be shared with anyone else.

It is mandatory to visit a doctor several times a year for preventive examinations, which will help to detect the presence of diseases even at the asymptomatic stage.

The elimination of pediculosis can not be called too troublesome, but the treatment of this disease must be taken seriously so that the problem does not bother you again in the future. In order to prevent a recurrence of the disease, it is necessary to carefully and scrupulously follow all the rules for fighting lice, sparing no effort and free time.

Where does head lice come from and how to get rid of lice

Likbez

Health

January 10, 2022

The good news is that parasites cannot jump over you from another person. But there are other ways to get infected.

What is pediculosis

Pediculosis (from Latin pediculus – louse) is an infection of the skin and hair with lice.

Usually, parts of the body covered with hair suffer from the attack of small blood-sucking insects: head lice live on the head, and pubic lice in the genital area. However, the latter are not averse to traveling, so they are found, among other things, on the hair of the hips, torso and face: in the beard, mustache, eyebrows and even on the eyelashes.

There is another kind of lice – body lice. They do not settle on the skin, but in clothes or bedding, usually near the seams. But, like the other two species, they feed on human blood. That is, they bite.

How to recognize head lice

Lice infestation does not necessarily have symptoms. But if signs of pediculosis appear, they usually look like this.

• Severe itching. It is caused by an allergic reaction to substances found in insect saliva.
• Feeling of movement in the hair. Adult lice can sometimes be seen with the naked eye. However, this is not always the case: these insects are small, move quickly and hide from the light. In addition, they know how to disguise themselves as hair color: for example, brown-haired and brunette lice look darker. Therefore, most often you can notice the presence of insects by a slight sensation of stirring in the hair.
• Skin sores. Small red and inflamed dots appear at the site of bites – due to the fact that a person is furiously combing an itchy place.
• Visible lice eggs (nits) on hair shafts. An adult female is capable of laying up to 8 eggs per day. Usually it fixes them at the base of the hair – at a distance of no more than 5-6 mm from the skin. The nits are approximately 0.8 x 0.3 mm in size, oval in shape and white or yellowish in color. The easiest way to notice empty eggs from which nymphs have already hatched (young lice that have to go through several molts before they become adults and can reproduce): they are larger and slide a little along the hair, moving away from the skin.

See what nits look like on hair

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Why lice are dangerous

Body lice are the main carriers of such diseases as epidemic typhus, trench fever and relapsing fever (aka relapsing fever). However, in normal life, such situations are extremely rare. Firstly, this type of insect is transmitted mainly in conditions of poor hygiene and overcrowding (for example, in military barracks, trenches) or among people with a very low social status. Secondly, in order for the infection to spread, there must be at least one infected person.

Head and pubic lice do not carry dangerous diseases, bacterial or viral. However, constant itching causes discomfort. Plus, combing the bites, you can bring some kind of infection into the wound, which will lead to inflammation.

When to see a doctor

If you or your child have lice and plan to start treatment (even over-the-counter products), doctors from the American medical organization Mayo Clinic recommend that you still consult with a general practitioner or pediatrician. The reason is that it is not uncommon for parents to treat pediculosis children who do not actually have a parasite infestation. For detected nits and lice take:

• dandruff;
• residues of various hair products – varnish, dry shampoo, gel;
• natural thickening on some hairs;
• dirt or small debris;
• other small insects accidentally caught in the hair.

There is one more nuance. Signs of a head lice infestation are similar to those of scabies. Therefore, it is better to check with the doctor’s opinion in order to make an accurate diagnosis.

How a doctor diagnoses head lice

The gold standard for detecting head lice, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, is the wet hair test. They pass it like this. The doctor applies a conditioner or balm to the hair, and then combs it with a comb with long, fine teeth – from the skin to the very ends. This procedure helps the physician to visually detect nits and live lice, if any.

Pubic lice are diagnosed by examining the affected areas at close range. To do this, use a Wood’s lamp – a fluorescent device that emits light in the ultraviolet range. Under its rays, the affected areas of the skin begin to glow, and the doctor is able to accurately examine the rash or sores. In addition, nits become more visible. An indirect way to detect pubic lice is the presence of small dark brown grains (excrement of parasites) on the skin and underwear.

If you suspect pediculosis, which is caused by body lice, it is necessary to examine clothes and bed linen, especially in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe seams. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and insects found.

How to get rid of lice

Treatment depends on where the parasites are found.

How to get rid of head lice

Over the counter products are usually sufficient. In particular, one of the most popular options is a pyrethrin-based shampoo, lotion, or spray. This is the name of the chemical compounds that are obtained from chrysanthemums. Pyrethrins are toxic to lice. There is also a synthetic, that is, an artificial form of pyrethrin – permethrin. It is also often used in anti-pediculosis drugs.

The scheme for using such preparations is indicated in the instructions and usually looks like this:

1. Rinse hair with a solution of table vinegar (1 tablespoon per liter of warm water). It will dissolve the sticky substance that holds the nits to the hair and make them easier to remove.
2. Wash hair with shampoo. It is important that it does not contain conditioning agents, such as silicone. Such compounds envelop each hair, fix nits on it and worsen the effect of pyrethrins.
3. Towel dry your hair and apply an anti-pediculosis agent. Leave for the period specified in the instructions.
4. Rinse thoroughly from hair. It is better to do this over a sink rather than in a shower or bath so that the active ingredients of the lotion or spray do not get on the skin: in some cases they can cause irritation.
5. Dry hair and comb thoroughly with a thick comb to remove any nits.
6. Repeat after 9-10 days.

In the interval between treatments, it makes sense to comb your hair every 3-4 days with the same thick comb to remove any remaining lice eggs.

If pyrethrin products don’t work, your doctor will give you a prescription drug, such as ivermectin or karbofos, that is more potent but also more toxic.

There are also traditional ways to get rid of lice. However, you should not rely too much on their effectiveness.

• Essential oils. Indeed, there are small clinical studies demonstrating: tea tree, anise, ylang-ylang oils can destroy lice (this is due to the fact that the access to air is blocked for insects). However, doctors consider the effectiveness of such products questionable. And be warned: essential oils can irritate the skin.
• Vegetable oil, butter, vaseline, mayonnaise. These products, in theory, act in the same way as essential oils: they block the access of air, and the lice, on which the fat has got, simply suffocate. To enhance this effect, it is recommended to hide the hair in a mask of oil or petroleum jelly under a shower cap and leave it overnight. However, how effective this method is is not yet clear.
• Use of a hair dryer. Hot air helps destroy some of the nits by dehydrating them. However, for adult insects, it is not so dangerous. In addition, doctors consider the air flow rate from a conventional hair dryer insufficient to properly dry the lice eggs.
• Kerosene, gasoline. These products are highly flammable, which means that their use is associated with a serious risk to health and life. In addition, breathing fumes of kerosene or gasoline is also dangerous.

How to get rid of pubic lice

Doctors also recommend pyrethrin-based products in the form of a shampoo, lotion or cream for the treatment of head lice.

It is important for the sexual partner to undergo treatment for pubic lice in order to prevent re-infection.

If pubic lice have invaded the eyelashes, the situation is somewhat more complicated. Shampoos and lotions in this case will not work. Most likely, a therapist or dermatologist will recommend that you apply vaseline ointment to your eyelashes, as well as treat your eyelids with special anti-pediculosis drops.

How to get rid of body lice

Since body lice live only on clothes and not on the body or hair, getting rid of them is the easiest. It is enough to replace clothes and bed linen or carry out their thorough processing. For example, you can rewash everything at a temperature of at least 65 ° C. Or put in sealed plastic bags for a couple of weeks: the lice will die without blood.

What to do in order not to catch lice

Lice crawl, but they can neither jump nor fly. Although when combing hair, static electricity accumulates, which can push the louse out of the head up to a distance of 1 m. But such cases are rare. Therefore, most often infection occurs through direct close contact. For example, when you touch heads or have sex with a person who has head lice.

Indirect transmission – through hats, combs, bedding – is also possible, but unlikely. So, in one small study, scientists tried to find live lice on pillowcases on which people infected with pediculosis slept. Insects were found only on 4% of bedding.

Several important rules for the prevention of head lice can be deduced from all this.

1. Avoid direct close contact with strangers.
2. Do not pile clothes with other people’s things. It is better to hang it separately – on a hook or coat hanger.
3. Do not share combs, combs, hairbrushes with anyone.
4. Do not share your personal hat and scarf with strangers. The only exception is protective headgear required for sports. They can be used together: lice do not live on cork and plastic helmets.
5. Do not lie down on sofas, beds, pillows that a person with head lice may have rested on.

Is it possible to go to school, kindergarten, work if you have lice

From the point of view of evidence-based medicine, yes, you can.

Experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, for example, believe that children should not be restricted from kindergarten or school because of lice. For the reason that the risk of transmitting pediculosis to others in a classroom environment is minimal. The same applies to offices and student audiences.