To live, lice must feed on blood. If the louse falls off a person, it dies within 1—2 days. Pubic lice usually are found in the genital area on pubic hair; but they may occasionally be found on other coarse body hair, such as hair on the legs, armpits, mustache, beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Pubic lice on the eyebrows or eyelashes of children may be a sign of sexual exposure or abuse. Lice found on the head generally are head lice, not pubic lice.
Pubic lice usually are spread through sexual contact and are most common in adults. Pubic lice found on children may be a sign of sexual exposure or abuse. Occasionally, pubic lice may be spread by close personal contact or contact with articles such as clothing, bed linens, or towels that have been used by an infested person. A common misconception is that pubic lice are spread easily by sitting on a toilet seat.
This would be extremely rare because lice cannot live long away from a warm human body and they do not have feet designed to hold onto or walk on smooth surfaces such as toilet seats. Persons infested with pubic lice should be examined for the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases. Pubic lice may be difficult to find because there may be only a few. Pubic lice often attach themselves to more than one hair and generally do not crawl as quickly as head and body lice.
If crawling lice are not seen, finding nits in the pubic area strongly suggests 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.
Persons infested with pubic lice should be investigated for the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases. In children, pubic lice may be found in the eyebrows or eyelashes and can be a sign of sexual abuse. However, it may be possible to catch pubic lice after sharing clothing, bedsheets or towels with an infected person.
Pubic lice feed on your blood, and their bites can cause severe itching. Treatment includes applying over-the-counter creams and lotions that kill the parasites and their eggs.
If you have pubic lice crabs , you may experience intense itching in your genital region. Pubic lice can spread to other areas with coarse body hair, including the:. Pubic lice are most commonly spread during sexual activity. You may also get pubic lice from infested sheets, blankets, towels or clothes.
Pubic lice infestations can usually be treated with a louse-killing lotion or gel. However, a pubic lice infestation sometimes leads to complications such as:. To prevent pubic lice infestation, avoid having sexual contact or sharing bedding or clothing with anyone who has an infestation.
If you are being treated for pubic lice, all sexual partners also must be treated. These products are available over-the-counter without a prescription. They are safe and effective when you use them according to the instructions. Usually one treatment will get rid of the lice.
If not, you may need another treatment after days. There are other lice-killing medicines that are available with a prescription from your health care provider. You should also wash your clothes, bedding, and towels with hot water, and dry them using the hot cycle of the dryer. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Pubic Lice Also called: Crabs. What are pubic lice?
How do pubic lice spread? Who is at risk for pubic lice? Since they spread mainly through sexual contact, pubic lice are most common in adults. What are the symptoms of pubic lice?
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