Pubic Lice and Scabies

Scabies (itch mites) are tiny insects that burrow into a person’s skin to lay eggs. They are often, but not always, spread sexually. You can also pick them up by using the bed linen, clothes, or towels of an infected person.

Pubic Lice, often called crab louse, it is caused by Phithirus Pubis, infect hairy parts of the body, especially around the groin and under the arms. Their eggs can be seen on the hair close to the skin, where they hatch in six to eight days. Both scabies and pubic lice are treated by special creams, lotions, or shampoos which you can buy in a drug store.

Signs & Symptoms
Scabies: Mainly itching, especially at night. A rash usually appears in skin folds, between fingers, on wrists, elbows, the abdomen, and around the genitals.

Pubic Lice: You may not have symptoms, although an itch might occur around the genitals. Light brown insects the size of a pin head can often be seen moving on the skin. Oval-shaped eggs attach firmly to the hairs.

What can they do to me?
Scratching may cause an infection requiring medical attention. Itching can persist for some time after treatment.

Treatment
Scabies: Permethrin 5% cream for local application, washed off after 8-14hrs

Pubic Lice: Permethrin 1% cream locally, washed off after 10 mats or Pyrethrine with piperonyl butoxide locally, washed of after 10 mts

Prevention

• Avoid close body contact with others if you have scabies or pubic lice.
• Get treatment to avoid passing them to others.
• Wash clothes and bed linen in hot water, dry-clean or press them with a very hot iron.
• Freezing clothes, fabrics and blankets or storing them for two-week periods will destroy insects and eggs.
• If you have scabies or pubic lice, be sure to tell your sex partners.
• Anyone with whom you have had close contact or who has shared your bed linen, clothes, or towels should be treated, even if they do not have an itch or rash