Pubic lice (crabs)
What causes pubic lice? Phthirus pubis (the crab louse).
How is pubic lice spread? By direct skin-to-skin contact including sexual activity, and contact with towels, underclothing or bedding of an infected person.
Condoms do not protect you against pubic lice.
What are the symptoms of pubic lice? Itching in the pubic hair and/or visible eggs or lice.
How do you get tested for pubic lice? Usually just by looking (a physical examination).
What is the treatment for pubic lice? Treatment includes:
- insecticide lotions or shampoos (check with your doctor or pharmacist)
- at the time of treatment, wash all bed linen, towels and clothing in hot water
- sex partners should be treated at the same time
- you do not need to shave your pubic hair.
How can you minimise the risk of contracting pubic lice? Pubic lice can be caught through both sexual and non-sexual contact. Avoid sexual activity with casual partners and/or decrease your number of sexual partners.
scabies
What causes scabies? Sarcoptes scabiei (a mite which lays its eggs under the skin surface).
How is scabies spread? Close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity, and contact with towels, underclothing or bedding of an infected person.
Condoms do not protect you against scabies.
Symptoms:
- itching
- a rash on the genitals, knees, buttocks, waistline, hands, wrists, and between the fingers
- you may see silvery lines where the mite has burrowed.
How do you get tested for scabies? Usually just by looking (a physical examination).
What is the treatment for scabies? Treatment can include:
- anti-scabies lotions (check with your doctor or pharmacist)
- at the time of treatment, wash all bed linen, towels and clothing in hot water, and dry them well
- avoid skin-to-skin contact with your partner or other close contacts until treatment is completed, and sexual partners and all household members have completed treatment
- the itch often lasts for 4 weeks after successful treatment.
How can you minimise the risk of contracting scabies? Scabies can be caught through both sexual contact and non-sexual contact. Avoid sexual activity with casual partners and/or decrease your number of sexual partners.
