Can You Use a Head Lice Treatment on Pubic Lice?

Before using a head lice treatment on pubic lice, you should first visit your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will examine your pubic hair with a magnifying glass and a comb. They may also suggest testing for STIs. Most pubic lice treatments contain medicated shampoos or lotions.

Pubic lice are tiny, blood-sucking insects that live in human skin and body hair. Symptoms include red spots and itching. They are usually found on the pubic area, but can also live on the eyelashes and eyebrows. Unlike head lice, pubic lice cannot be transferred from one person to another. However, they can be found anywhere with hair that is greasy or coarse. Female lice lay pinhead-sized eggs, which adhere to hairs and hatch into adult lice in six to ten days.

Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may need a second treatment for pubic lice. Your doctor or nurse will require a follow-up exam nine to ten days after the first treatment to make sure that the infection is gone. The problem may have occurred after a previous treatment, or it may be due to a different type of infestation.

Although pubic lice are not infectious, they can cause itching and skin infection. You may not notice the itching immediately, but it may take several days before it becomes annoying enough to make you look for the problem. The itch and redness around the bite can range from mild to severe. You should also avoid scratching the affected area as it can cause sores or skin infections.

Continue reading:

Why Do Head Lice Keep Coming Back? What Can Head Lice Do to You? Are Head Lice Bad? The Life Cycle of Head Lice What Head Lice Look Like in Hair Head Lice – Where Do Head Lice Lay Their Eggs? Can Head Lice Be Red? How Can Head Lice Get on Your Body?