Can Head Lice Travel to Pubic Hair?

If you’re wondering if head lice can travel to pubic hair, you’re not alone. Pubic lice can also infest eyebrows and eyelashes. If you suspect this is the case, you should wash all affected clothing in 130oF water, and then dry them on a hot cycle for 20 minutes. You should then place them in a plastic bag and take them to a dry cleaner. If the infestation persists for a few days or longer, visit a physician for medical advice.

If your hair is thick and coarse, it is likely to harbor lice. They usually live on the scalp and pubic area, but can also infest other areas such as the chest, underarms, and back passage. Unlike head lice, pubic lice cannot be transferred from one person to another, but they can travel from head to pubic hair through close body contact. Because pubic lice cannot jump or fly, they are spread by hands, clothes, and other items. If you find lice on your hair, do not scratch the area because this can lead to sores and infections.

Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on the human body. They are wingless, grey, or brown in color and are usually found on the genital area. They lay their eggs on hairs and will hatch in eight to ten days. They can survive for a week away from the body, and can be spread through close bodily contact.