Pubic lice or Pthyrus pubis are small parasitic insects that can infest hairy areas of the human body, especially pubic hair. This parasite lives by sucking blood through the skin and can cause itching in the infected area.
Pubic lice have a smaller body size than scalp lice. Therefore, these lice are more able to survive on coarse and thick textured hair compared to scalp hair which tends to be finer.
In addition to pubic hair, these lice can also inhabit armpit hair, leg hair, beard, mustache, chest hair, back hair, and eyelashes and eyebrows.
Causes of Pubic Lice
Pubic lice are generally transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, especially intimate direct contact, such as sexual intercourse. In addition, pubic lice can also be transmitted through contaminated items, such as sheets, blankets, towels, and clothing.
In children, transmission of pubic lice can occur when the child sleeps on a mattress that has been exposed to this parasite from an infected person. Because pubic hair has not grown, generally pubic lice in children lodge in the eyelashes and eyebrows.
It should be noted that in certain cases, the discovery of pubic lice on the eyebrows and eyelashes of children can also indicate the possibility of sexual abuse and need to be investigated further.
Pubic lice have three stages of development, namely eggs, nymphs, and adult lice. Lice eggs are usually tightly attached to the base of the hair shaft and are yellowish white in color. The eggs will hatch in 6–10 days and become nymphs.
Nymphs are similar in shape to adult fleas, but smaller in size, making them difficult to see. The development of nymphs to adult lice ranges from 2–3 weeks.
Adult fleas are slightly gray in color, have 6 legs so they look like crabs, and are about 2 mm in size. A female louse can lay up to 300 eggs during its lifetime which ranges from 1–3 months.
Pubic lice must live on human skin and will not be transmitted by jumping onto other people's bodies. If loose or fall from the hair, pubic lice will die within 1-2 days.
Pubic lice risk factors
Pubic lice can be transmitted to anyone. However, transmission is more common in adults who are already sexually active. In addition, living in a neighborhood or area where many people live, such as a dormitory, can also increase a person's risk of contracting pubic lice.
Symptoms of Pubic Lice
Symptoms due to pubic lice usually begin to appear after 5 days of lice occupying the body area. Symptoms that can appear include:
- Itching of the skin, especially at night, due to an allergic reaction to flea saliva
- Tiny blue-purple spots on the skin of tick bites
- Brown spots on underwear, which are pubic lice droppings
- Lice eggs at the base of the hair or lice in the hair are visible
- Mild fever
Sometimes, these symptoms do not appear in some sufferers, so that pubic lice can be spread to other people without realizing it.
If this parasite infects eyelashes and eyebrows, symptoms may include itching, swelling of the eyelids, and red eyes.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms or if you are unable to get rid of pubic lice with self-care at home using over-the-counter pubic lice removal products.
Call your doctor right away if you catch pubic lice while pregnant or if you experience symptoms that are getting worse, such as inflammation or skin infection from scratching the itchy area too much.
Pubic Lice Diagnosis
To diagnose, initially the doctor will ask questions about the symptoms felt by the patient. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination of the affected area.
To confirm the presence of pubic lice, the doctor will usually use a magnifying glass or microscope, so that pubic lice and their development in the affected area can be seen more clearly.
If the patient has been confirmed to be infected with pubic lice, then an examination also needs to be carried out on people who have sex or have frequent physical contact with the patient during the last 3 months.
Based on certain considerations, the doctor may also perform tests to detect sexually transmitted infections.
Pubic Lice Treatment
Treatment of pubic lice can be done with medication and self-care. The explanation is as follows:
Giving omedicine
Pubic lice can be treated with external medications, such as lotions, creams, or shampoos. The type of antiparasitic drug commonly used is permethrin.
Please note, permethrin can only be used on the skin. In addition, there are several side effects that can arise due to the use of this antiparasitic drug, namely itching, redness, or burning of the skin.
For patients who have pubic lice on the eyelashes, the doctor may advise the patient to apply petroleum jelly carefully to the affected area. Eye drops will also be given to treat eye complaints.
If after treatment the lice are still found or the symptoms are still felt, the patient needs to repeat the treatment for 9-10 days. Check the infected area during and after the second treatment period is over, to make sure there are lice or eggs left in the area.
Self care
The following are self-care efforts that can be done at home to treat and prevent the spread of pubic lice:
- Wash and dry the hair in the area affected by pubic lice thoroughly and regularly
- Use clean underwear and change them regularly
- Get rid of visible pubic lice in hair with a lice comb or with nails
- Wash all towels, clothes or bed sheets in hot water
- Clean all rooms in the house, especially those that are often occupied, such as the bedroom or family room
- Clean the bathroom or toilet with carbolic cleaning fluid or disinfectant
- Avoid sex before pubic lice are completely cured
Complications of Pubic Lice
Although it is rare, a person infected with pubic lice can experience a number of complications if the condition is not treated immediately. Complications that can arise are:
- Infections, such as impetigo or boils, due to frequent scratching of the affected area
- Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) or conjunctivitis, due to the presence of pubic lice in the eyelashes
Pubic Lice Prevention
The following are some efforts you can take to reduce the risk of contracting pubic lice:
- Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels and clothes.
- Avoid having unhealthy sexual relations, such as frequently changing partners.
- Wash sheets, towels, and clothing in hot water regularly, ideally once every 1-2 weeks.
- Clean bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, and areas in the house that are frequently occupied on a regular basis.
- If you have pubic lice, don't have sex until you are declared cured by a doctor, and invite your partner to see a doctor.