What do pubic lice eggs look like

Seven to 10 days later, the nits hatch into nymphs and start feeding on your blood. The lice can live without their food supply for one to two days.

Children may get an infestation after sleeping in the same bed as someone who has pubic lice. In children, the lice usually live in their eyelashes or eyebrows. The presence of pubic lice in a child might also indicate sexual abuse. People with pubic lice often experience itching in their genital region or anus about five days after the initial infestation. At night, the itching will become more intense.

Other common symptoms of pubic lice include:. Excessive itching may cause wounds or an infection in the affected areas. Children with lice infestations on their eyelashes are also at risk of developing conjunctivitis pink eye. You can usually diagnose yourself by thoroughly examining your pubic area. Lice are usually pale gray, but they can darken in color after drinking your blood. Lice eggs are another indicator of infestation.

The eggs are tiny and white, and are usually found around the roots of pubic hair or other body hair. Topical, over-the-counter lotions and shampoos can be used to remove pubic lice from your body. Ask your doctor which products are safe to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are treating an infant for pubic lice. You may only need to wash your pubic hair if your lice infestation is mild. Even after successful treatment, a few stubborn lice eggs might cling to your hairs.

Remove any leftover nits with tweezers. Lice can easily survive ordinary soap and water. After the initial lice treatment, there are still important steps to take to take to keep pubic lice at bay — and to relieve the itch:. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

September 24, Parasites: Disease. Pubic Lice Crabs : Overview. Mayo Clinic. December 30, Cleveland Clinic. December 11, About Pubic Lice. Nemours: Kids Health. May Pubic Lice Crabs : Diagnosis and Treatment.

Pubic lice can be treated at home with insecticidal lotion or cream that will kill the lice. This will usually need to be applied once and repeated after seven days. Everyone that you've had close body contact with should be treated at the same time. This includes current sexual partners and may include members of your household. Some pubic lice can be resistant to treatment. Resistance means that the lice will not be affected by a particular treatment. Pubic lice can also live on the eyelashes or eyebrows.

This is because the thickness of these hairs is similar to pubic hair meaning that the lice can successfully grip on. Treatment of lice in the eye area is usually different to elsewhere as certain insecticidal creams or lotions are not safe for use near the eye area. Lice here can be removed with tweezers or Vaseline can be used to suffocate the lice prior to removal.

If you or your partner has pubic lice, avoid having sex vaginal, anal or oral or close bodily contact until you both have finished the course of treatment, including any follow-up treatment. The only thing that can reduce your risk of getting pubic lice is limiting the number of people with whom you have intimate or sexual contact. Home Illnesses and conditions Sexual and reproductive Pubic lice.

But going to a sexual health clinic or a GP means you can also get tested for other STIs at the same time. The doctor or nurse may use a magnifying glass to look for signs of the lice, such as pale-coloured eggs or the lice themselves.

Call a sexual health clinic if you need help or advice. Only go to a clinic if you've been told to. Find sexual health clinic contact details.

You should be tested for other sexually transmitted infections STIs if you have pubic lice through sexual contact. If you prefer, staff at the clinic can contact a person on your behalf without releasing your details. Pubic lice aren't related to poor personal hygiene. They're usually spread through close bodily contact with an infected person. The lice crawl from hair to hair, but can't fly or jump. They need human blood to survive, so will only leave the body to move from one person to another.

The most common way pubic lice are spread is through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Using condoms and other methods of barrier contraception doesn't protect you against pubic lice. It's also possible — though much rarer — for pubic lice to be spread through sharing clothes, towels and bedding. Your GP or pharmacist can advise you about which treatment to use and how to use it. It's important to follow this advice. Some treatments only need to be applied to the affected area, but sometimes the whole body must be treated, taking care to avoid the eyes.