In recent years, head lice epidemics have become so frequent in schools that the stigma has eased. Not so with pubic lice, however, which is still associated primarily with sexual activity or contact. People are reluctant, even ashamed to discuss the subject, even with family doctors. But pubic lice should be no cause for shame but a reality that can be acknowledged so that those affected can discuss effective ways of treating pubic lice and how to find the best methods of control.

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.

Since pubic lice generally live in the genital area, anyone who has excessive itching in the genital area should consider the possibility of lice infection. Of course, any sign of moving lice are an obvious clue but since lice go through several stages of life, many moving lice may not be visible.

Treating pubic lice should start the moment that the lice are detected. Along with removing the lice from your body, you need to make sure that they are eliminated from your clothing and any bedding or linens which may have been exposed to pubic lice. If you fail to eliminate them from your home, then the problem will quickly recur once their eggs hatch.

One thing to keep in mind is that a pubic lice infestation spreads very quickly. For instance, if even one student living in a dormitory catches lice, the entire building needs to be treated. Treating pubic lice infestations in homes should also be done aggressively. If one person in your household catches lice, it’s only a matter of time before it spreads to everyone else. While adults will most likely have these lice in their pubic hair, children may have them in other spots, particularly their eyebrows. Thankfully, these lice only infest people, so you won’t have to inspect or treat your pets for pubic lice.

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.

Other than clothing, bedding and furniture, you may need to treat your curtains. If you have long curtains which reach to the floor, this is likely to be the case. There are pubic lice sprays and other products which can be used to treat these items since washing your furniture and curtains may not be practical, but is important when treating pubic lice.

When it comes to treating pubic lice on the body, extreme vigilance and observation are a must. First of all, contact anyone who may have been exposed to the pubic life (or caused the infestation). Next step in treating pubic lice? Make sure that the right lice treatment is used.

You’ll probably need a lice shampoo (also known as a pediculicide) for treating pubic lice; these shampoos can usually be bought over the counter, but keep in mind that they will only work if you make sure to use them as directed. Before using the shampoo, wash the area of the infestation thoroughly and then completely cover the area with the shampoo or other lice treatment. Afterwards, you should remove any dead lice or eggs with a special lice 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 STD’s, including pubic lice and other common issues. Crabs (a common term for pubic lice) is a STD which effects a few million Americans each year, but it doesn’t have to be a catastropy. Proper pubic lice treatment cures are available.

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