Pubic Lice (Pediculosis Pubis)

Who's At Risk?

Men are more commonly affected by public lice, possibly because they have more coarse body hair.

This infestation is most frequent between the ages of 15–40 in people who are sexually active.

Signs & Symptoms

Lice and their eggs (nits) may attach themselves to the hair in the pubic region and other areas. Lymph nodes in the groin area may be swollen. Slate blue spots may be seen at the bite sites.

Self-Care Guidelines

Always use safe sex practices, including avoidance of intimate contact with partners affected with pubic lice.

Treatments

Your doctor may:

• Treat the infestation with permethrin cream rinse OR pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide. Treatment with typical insecticides may be repeated after 1 week.
• Try malathion 0.5% lotion OR ivermectin, an oral medication, taken in one dose and repeated after 2 weeks.
• Treat any sex partners you have had within the previous month, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Your doctor should prescribe treatment for all infested hair-bearing areas to prevent the infestation from coming back. Eyelash involvement should not be treated with the above medications; an ophthalmic ointment is used instead.

Avoid sexual contact until you and your partner(s) have been treated and reevaluated to be sure the infestation is no longer present.

Visit Urgency

See your doctor for evaluation if you think you might have pubic lice.

Trusted Links

• MedlinePlus: Lice
• Clinical Information and Differential Diagnosis of Pediculosis Pubis (Pubic Lice)

References

nia, Jean L., ed. Dermatology, pp.1326-1328. New York: Mosby, 2003.

Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. 6^th ed. pp.2286, 2287-2289. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.