Last Updated on February 24, 2021 by Stacy Sampson, DO
Pubic Lice STI/STD Brief
These briefs are intended to give readers (specifically those who weren’t aware many of these STIs/STDs existed) an overview of each STI/STD, their commonality, treatment options, and diagnostic tests available.
This information is by no means all-encompassing and The STI Project encourages using these briefs as primers and then further delving into the resources section when subsequent questions arise.
Pubic Lice Symptoms, Test & Treatment
Common? Very common. Around 2.5 million people contract it in the U.S. annually
Symptoms Intense itching in the genitals or anus, mild fever, irritability, the presence of live or small egg sacs (called nits) in pubic hair
Cure? Common brands of over-the-counter pubic lice medicine are A-200, RID, and Nix. Stronger prescription medications also available.
Bacterial/Viral/ Fungal/Parasitic Parasitic
Test People often diagnose themselves with pubic lice. You can also see your health care provider.
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? No
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- About STIs/STDs – Your Ultimate Reference Guide
- Pubic Lice (‘Crabs’) In-Depth
- Pictures of Pubic Lice
- Looking for more information about pubic lice?
- Looking for STI testing centers, pubic lice treatment, STI hotlines, or STI blogs and forums?
- Would you like to read stories about people living with an STI/STD?
References
- Symptoms
- Osterberg, E. Charles, et al. “Correlation between pubic hair grooming and STIs: results from a nationally representative probability sample.” Sex Transm Infect 93.3 (2017): 162-166.
- Gloster, Hugh Morris, Lauren E. Gebauer, and Rachel L. Mistur. “Lice.” Absolute Dermatology Review. Springer, Cham, 2016. 293-294.
- Durden, Lance A. “Lice (Phthiraptera).” Medical and veterinary entomology. Academic Press, 2019. 79-106.
- Sonthalia, Sidharth, Sangeeta Varma, and Abhijeet K. Jha. “Dermoscopy of pubic louse.” Indian dermatology online journal 10.1 (2019): 90.
- Bragg, Bradley N., and Leslie V. Simon. “Pediculosis Humanis (Lice, Capitis, Pubis).” StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing, 2018.
- Testing
- Mana, Nassima, et al. “Human head lice and pubic lice reveal the presence of several Acinetobacter species in Algiers, Algeria.” Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases 53 (2017): 33-39.
- Sonthalia, Sidharth, Sangeeta Varma, and Abhijeet K. Jha. “Dermoscopy of pubic louse.” Indian dermatology online journal 10.1 (2019): 90.
- Standard, I. P. C. “SCABIES AND HUMAN LICE POLICY.” (2018).
- Australia, Healthdirect. “Screening tests for STIs.” (2019).
- Ly, Tran Duc Anh, et al. “The presence of Acinetobacter baumannii DNA on the skin of homeless people and its relationship with body lice infestation. Preliminary results.” Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology 9 (2019): 86.
- Treatment
- Gunning, Karen, Bernadette Kiraly, and Karly Pippitt. “Lice and Scabies: Treatment Update.” American Family Physician 99.10 (2019).
- Monsel, Gentiane, and Olivier Chosidow. “24 Scabies, lice, and myiasis.” Clinical Infectious Disease (2015): 162.
- Shakya, M., A. K. Jayraw, and M. Singh. “Pubic lice infestation in man from Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.” Journal of parasitic diseases 42.3 (2018): 402-404.
- Spring, Nicholas, and Garry T. Gwozdz. “Topical Avermectin Formulations and Methods For Elimination and Prophylaxis of Susceptible and Treatment Resistant Strains of Head Lice.” U.S. Patent Application No. 15/968,364.
- Hodges, Ashley L., and Aimee C. Holland. “Prevention and Treatment of Injuries and Infections Related to Pubic Hair Removal.” Nursing for women’s health 21.4 (2017): 313-317.
- Prevention
- Durden, Lance A. “Lice (Phthiraptera).” Medical and veterinary entomology. Academic Press, 2019. 79-106.
- Gunning, Karen, Bernadette Kiraly, and Karly Pippitt. “Lice and Scabies: Treatment Update.” American Family Physician 99.10 (2019).
- Hodges, Ashley L., and Aimee C. Holland. “Prevention and Treatment of Injuries and Infections Related to Pubic Hair Removal.” Nursing for women’s health 21.4 (2017): 313-317.
- Moshki, Mahdi, Fereshteh Zamani-Alavijeh, and Mehdi Mojadam. “Efficacy of peer education for adopting preventive behaviors against head lice infestation in female elementary school students: a randomised controlled trial.” PloS one 12.1 (2017): e0169361.
- Osterberg, E. Charles, et al. “Correlation between pubic hair grooming and STIs: results from a nationally representative probability sample.” Sex Transm Infect 93.3 (2017): 162-166.
- Transmission
- Osterberg, Charles, et al. “Association between pubic hair grooming and sexually transmitted infections: Results from a nationally representative probability sample.” The Journal of Urology 195.4 (2016).
- Monsel, Gentiane, and Olivier Chosidow. “24 Scabies, lice, and myiasis.” Clinical Infectious Disease (2015): 162.
- Hodges, Ashley L., and Aimee C. Holland. “Prevention and Treatment of Injuries and Infections Related to Pubic Hair Removal.” Nursing for women’s health 21.4 (2017): 313-317.
- Kin, Cindy, and Mark Lane Welton. “Sexually Transmitted Infections.” The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Springer, Cham, 2016. 325-342.
- Mehlhorn, Heinz. “Mouthparts of Bloodsuckers and Their Ability to Transmit Agents of Diseases.” Mosquito-borne Diseases. Springer, Cham, 2018. 131-158.
