Pubic Lice Facts and Options: How to Properly Treat Pubic Lice
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Head lice is something which is so common in children that the stigma once attached to having an infestation has become practically nil. However, this is certainly not the case with pubic lice. Since this is a problem which is so strongly associated with sexual activity, it is not likely to lose its power to embarrass anytime soon. Many people are unwilling to discuss the problem with anyone – there are more than a few people who are too embarrassed to broach the topic even with their physician. People really shouldn’t be ashamed of having pubic lice – it’s far worse to suffer in silence (and risk spreading these pests to others) than it is to discuss the situation openly and find effective methods of treating pubic lice.
Commonly known as crabs, pubic lice can affect anyone; while they can indeed be spread by sexual contact, this is not the only way to catch them and in fact, it is far more common to catch them through other means. Despite the popular myth, you won’t catch them from a toilet seat – but you can catch them by touching clothes or blankets which are infested. Even children can be affected; and when anyone catches these bothersome pests, it’s important to start treating pubic lice immediately.
As you’d expect from the name, it is the pubic area where these lice are most commonly found. If you are experiencing a lot of itching in this area, it may possibly be caused by pubic lice. If you can see lice moving in this area, this is a dead giveaway, but it is important to keep in mind that lice may not be visible at all times. Lice go through several different stages in their life cycles, but you may well be able to spot eggs and dead lice if there is an infestation.
Treating pubic lice as soon as possible is essential if you’ve been infested – and any clothes or bedding in your home needs to be treated as well. Otherwise, the lice will simply come back; their eggs will be lying around and once they hatch, the problem will be right back.
The importance of treating pubic lice immediately cannot be overstated; for example, if just one student in a dormitory contracts pubic lice, then the entire dorm needs to be treated at once in order to prevent them from spreading. You should treat infestations in your home just as aggressively. If anyone in your home has pubic lice, every member of your household should inspect themselves thoroughly and start treating themselves, their clothing and bedding immediately. Keep in mind that children may have these lice in their eyebrows rather than in the pubic region as adults generally will. You can take some solace at least in knowing that your pets are safe from these pests – pubic lice only infest people.
While going through treatment for pubic lice, it is vitally important to bag any bedding, bath towels and clothing. Don’t err on the side of being conservative. If there is any chance the pubic lice or lice eggs could have fallen onto furniture, bedding or clothing, make sure it is washed in boiling hot water or kept stashed in doubly bagged plastic bags until the items can be properly rid of the lice. Bagged in plastic, lice will not have access to food (you) and will die naturally within 2-3 days. Some products which are used to get rid of head lice can be used in treating pubic lice as well. Ask a pharmacist or trusted doctor or specialist about the right products.
Even your curtains and furniture may need to be treated, especially if you have long curtains which sweep the floor. Since washing your curtains and furniture may not be practical, you can use some pubic lice sprays and similar products as an alternative.
For treating pubic lice on your body, watch carefully for any signs of their presence and tell anyone who you may have exposed to the lice or that may be the source of your own infestation. This allows them to begin treating themselves and their homes to eliminate the lice and prevent them from spreading further.
The formal name for a lice shampoo is a pediculicide and they can generally be purchased without a prescription. However, there are many ineffective products on the market, so be sure to consult a physician or look at internet or other reviews. Wash the infected area thoroughly before beginning treatment and then make sure the genital area is thoroughly covered with the proper medication for lice treatment. Any dead nits or pubic lice eggs left behind will have to be taken off by hand or with a special comb.
If you’ve been infested with pubic lice, you may want to simply replace your underwear and wash all of your bedding in the hottest water possible, followed by drying at the highest temperature your dryer allows for at least 30 minutes. If you need to clean clothing which cannot be machine washed, then dry cleaning will also kill the lice. If you have any sexual partners who have potentially caught pubic lice from you (or vice versa), then you need to speak with them at once and advise them on treating pubic lice, including how to treat their clothes and bedding. Getting rid of pubic lice may be a hassle, but it’s a lot better than living with them.
Jennifer M. O’Leary studies and writes about medical issues and diseases, including pubic lice and other lice forms. Crabs is a STD which effects a few million Americans each year, however, it doesn’t have to be a catastropy. Proper pubic lice treatment cures are available.
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