Pthirus pubis, Sarcoptes scabei
What to watch for:
- Pubic lice (crabs): Itching in the pubic hair of the crotch or buttocks, sometimes spreading to other hairy areas such as the arm pits or chest.
- Scabies: Itching, particularly at night after bathing and after exercise, on hands and arms, feet and ankles, genitals, and buttocks. Sometimes there is a rash.
- How do you get lice or scabies?
- By close physical contact, as through shared linen or during sex. Lice can survive 24-48 hours away from their host and the eggs (nits) can survive several weeks until they hatch.
- What if you don't get treated?
- You can transmit lice and scabies to your sexual partners and physically close friends.
How do you test for lice and scabies?
- Lice and nits can be examined under a magnifying glass to identify them.
- Scabies can be identified by their burrows which can be examined further with a microscope.
How do you treat lice and scabies?
- Lice: Permethin 1% (Nix) shampoo is left on for 10 minutes then thoroughly rinsed off (shower). Do not let it get in the eyes.
- Scabies: Gamma benzene hexachloride 1% (Lindane) lotion is spread thinly on dry skin and left on for 8-12 hours before rinsing it off (shower).
- Remove lice/nits from eyes with tweezers; no medication should be used near the eyes.
- For both: Clothing and bed linen used in the past two weeks should be washed in hot water and/or dried in a hot cycle, or dry-cleaned.
- Hydrocortisone cream or other soothing lotion may be used for the itching which might persist for a few days after treatment.
- Treat bed partners and any housemates who also have symptoms.
