PUBIC LICE AND SCABIES

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 What are they?
 - Pubic Lice (crabs) are tiny insects that nest in pubic hair and live by feeding on human
blood. 

- Usually occur around the genitals and anus, they may also be found in other hair such
as the chest, armpits, beard, eyelashes and, rarely, the head.  

- They look like tiny crabs, 1 – 2 mm in diameter, grey in color and become brownish red
when filled with blood. 

- Crabs lay their eggs (“nits”) at the base of the hair.  These eggs are very tiny but can be
seen as whitish dots near the base of the hairs. 
Pubic Lice
- Crabs live for about 30 days and can survive 24 to 48 hours away from the human body.
 CAUSES AND TRANSMISSION
 - Scabies are caused by mites that burrow below the skin surface to lay their
eggs.  These tiny mites are usually 0.5 mm in diameter and are most
commonly found in the folds of skin on the elbows, between the fingers,
around the genitals, on the wrists, buttocks, breasts, penis, or under the arms. 
The eggs will hatch several days later and mature in about 10 days.

- Crabs are usually spread through sexual contact.

- Scabies is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person

already infested with scabies.  Infestation is easily spread to sexual partners
and household members.  Infestation may also occur by sharing clothing,
towels and bedding as crabs and scabies can live on them for up to 2 – 3 days.
Scabies
- Scratching can lead to a skin infection.
 SYMTOMPS
The first sign of crabs is usually itching in the genital or anal area.  You may see the crabs,
their eggs, or bluish spots where they have bitten you.

Signs and symptoms of scabies infestation are pimple-like irritations, burrows or rash of
the skin (especially the webbing between the fingers; the skin folds on the wrist, elbow or
knee; the penis, the breast or shoulder blades) and intense itching especially at night and
over most of the body.
 TREATMENT
1)A permethrin or pyrethrin lice shampoo is recommended to treat crabs.

2)Permethrin lotion is considered to be the most efficient scabies medication at present.  Always
follow the directions on the package insert.

3)All clothes , bedding and towels used by the infested person 2 days before treatment should be
washed in hot water(50oC) and dried in a hot dryer (for at least 20 minutes), or dry cleaned. 

4)If you cannot wash quilts and blankets, they can be stored in sealed plastic bags for 1 week and
then washed normally. Exposing crabs and scabies to freezing temperatures will kill them so you
may want to put toys or blankets in the freezer if they cannot be washed.
 PREVENTION
Pubic (“crab”) lice most commonly are spread directly from person to person by sexual contact.
Pubic lice very rarely may be spread by clothing, bedding, or a toilet seat.

The following are steps that can be taken to help prevent and control the spread of pubic (“crab”) lice:

1)All sexual contacts of the infested person should be examined. All those who are infested should be treated.
2)Sexual
contact between the infested person(s) and their sexual partner(s) should be avoided until all have been
examined, treated as necessary, and reevaluated to rule out persistent infestation.
3)Machine wash and dry clothing worn and bedding
used by the infested person in the hot water (at least 130°F) laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle.
Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned OR sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.
4)Do not share clothing,
bedding, and towels used by an infested person.
THANK YOU