Pubic Lice Prevention – What you need to know
There are many different types of louse that can take humans as a host, and the parasite that is perhaps the most embarrassing is the pubic louse. Otherwise known as ‘crabs’, thanks to their crab-like appearance, these miniscule creatures prefer the pubic area as it is secluded and warm, and thrive if not treated properly.
Pubic lice, like hair lice, are spread by personal contact: the louse cannot fly, hence the only way it can move from host to host is by walking from hair to hair (the same is true of hair lice) but as personal contact in the pubic area is limited the spread of pubic lice is nowhere near as rapid as that of head lice.
Nevertheless, it is important to know that it does not take actual intimate contact for the lice to spread: sharing clothing, towels and other things can transfer the lice from one to another. This is why pubic lice prevention centers on making sure that such implements are not shared – just as a hairbrush should not be shared among head lice sufferers.
There are many examples of pubic lice pictures available, most easily accessed on the internet, which can help in making sure you can correctly identify the creatures and treat them in the right manner: this is essential, as the life cycle of the louse reveals how it can increase in population very quickly indeed.
The female pubic louse lives for around three weeks, and during that time she lays three eggs every day; these are attached to the pubic hairs, and can be difficult to remove. Once they hatch, after just a few days, the eggs quickly mature into breeding adults, and the cycle begins again. While the numbers involved are not as big as in the head lice life cycle, this still means a very rapid expansion in population, and highlights the necessity of proper treatment and prompt attention.
Recognizing the symptoms of pubic lice infestation is vital, and the customary itching of the infected area is the main indicator. Also a symptom is the appearance of sores where the lice have bitten, and further examination of the troubles area may reveal the presence of the distinctive ‘crabs’.
Many people prefer to steer away from chemically formulated medicinal treatments, and prefer home therapies – combing and washing, the use of natural and herbal lotions- but no matter which method you opt for the necessity is to act quickly in order to prevent the infestation spreading out of control.