Pubic Lice (Crabs) (cont.)
How is a pubic lice infestation diagnosed?
A lice infestation is diagnosed by looking closely through pubic hair for nits,
nymphs, or adults. It may be difficult to find nymph or adult; here are usually
few of them and they can move quickly away from light. If crawling lice are not
seen, finding nits confirms that a person is infested and should be treated. If
you are unsure about infestation or if treatment is not successful, see a health
care provider for a diagnosis.
How are pubic lice treated?
A lice-killing shampoo (also called a
pediculicide) made of 1%
permethrin or pyrethrin is recommended to treat pubic lice. These products are
available without a prescription at your local drug store. Medication is
generally very effective; apply the medication exactly as directed on the
bottle. A prescription medication, called
Lindane (1%) is available
through your health care provider. Lindane is not recommended for pregnant or
nursing women, or for children less than 2 years old.
Malathion* lotion 0.5% (Ovide*) is another prescription medication that is
effective against pubic lice.
How to treat pubic lice infestations: (Note: see section below for treatment
of eyelashes or eyebrows. The lice medications described in this section should
not be used near the eyes.)
- Wash the infested area; towel dry.
- Thoroughly saturate hair with lice medication. If
using permethrin or pyrethrins, leave medication on for 10 minutes; if using
Lindane, shampoo should only be left on for 4 minutes. Thoroughly rinse off
medication with water. Dry off with a clean towel.
-
Following treatment, most nits will still be attached
to hair shafts. Nits may be removed with fingernails.
- Put on clean underwear and clothing after
treatment.
- To kill any lice and nits that may be left on
clothing or bedding, machine wash those washable items that the infested
person used during the 2-3 days before treatment. Use the hot water cycle
(130o F) of the washing machine to wash clothes. Use the hot cycle of the
dryer for at least 20 minutes to dry clothes.
- Dry clean clothing that is not washable.
- Inform any sexual partners that they are at risk for
infestation.
- Do not have sex until treatment is complete.
- Do not have sex with
infected partners until partners have been treated and infestation has been
cured.
- Retreat in 7-10 days if lice
are still found.
To treat nits and lice found on eyebrows or eyelashes:
- If only a few nits are found, it may be possible to remove live lice and nits
with your fingernails or a nit comb.
- If additional treatment is needed for pubic lice nits found
on the eyelashes, applying an ophthalmic- grade petrolatum ointment (only available by
prescription) to the eyelids twice a day for 10 days is effective. Vaseline* is
a kind of petrolatum, but is likely to irritate the eyes if applied.
Source: Centers for
Disease Control (www.cdc.gov)
Last Editorial Review: 4/26/2006
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