How to Get Rid of Pubic Lice

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Last Updated: September 15, 2024 Fact Checked

Pubic lice, also known as crabs, are a non-threatening infection of parasites. Lice are small insects that live on hair follicles and are transmitted by direct physical contact. Though uncomfortable, treating pubic lice is easy and can be done at home.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Treating Pubic Lice

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1
Diagnose pubic lice correctly. Lice resemble small, moving crabs usually found around the genitals, though they sometimes be in armpits, eyebrows, or facial hair. If you cannot see whether you have pubic lice then use a magnifying glass – they are grey-brown, crab-like insects 5-7 millimeters long. Use a magnifying glass to check for lice if you have the following symptoms:^{[1]
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- Pale blueish bite marks.
- Small, white dots attached to the base of your hairs (lice eggs).
- Low-grade fever.
2
Buy an over-the-counter lice treatment. Lice shampoos, lotions, and insecticides are available at your local pharmacy. You should select a lice-killing lotion with 1% permethrin or a mousse that contains pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide.^{[2]
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- Perform a “spot test” to check for allergic reactions. Place a small amount of the lotion on your arm or leg and wait 10 minutes to check for itching or swelling.
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Clean your body the best you can and dry yourself off before applying medication. Do not try to scrub the lice away as they are evolved to hold to your hairs.
You should treat yourself and any people who have had close contact with you in the last week (sharing beds, sexual activity, borrowing towels, etc.). Apply the shampoo or lotion according to the directions on the bottle, which usually require you to apply the liquid and leave it for 20 minutes or more.
All creams need time to work, but do not be tempted to leave them on for longer than recommended. These products are poisons and they will damage your skin if not washed away properly.^{[3]
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National Health Service (UK)
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Most lice treatments do not kill eggs (known as “nits”), so you will need to remove them by hand. Using tweezers or an fine-toothed nit-comb, carefully pull out any small white eggs or remaining bugs.^{[4]
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To be safe, you should always retreat yourself to make sure no lice survived. Lice eggs hatch after 10 days, so repeating the treatment ensures that none survived the first round.^{[5]
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’"Pediculosis Pubis," or pubic lice, are resilient creatures that can live on other parts of your body, including your armpits and eyelashes. Shaving will not get rid of the problem, but it can help in conjunction with lice-treatments.
9
Use a prescription medication if pubic lice return. There are several prescription options available for treating pubic lice, but they should be used as a last resort. Stronger creams are more toxic and can cause illness or skin damage in large doses.
- ’’’Lindane Shampoo:’’’ Kills lice and eggs, and is available by prescription. It can be toxic, however, and should be used only when other options fail. Never use lindane on small children, people with a history of seizures, the elderly, or pregnant women.^{[6]
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- ’’’Malathion Lotion:’’’ Known by the brand name “Ovid,” this is another prescription method that has had success with stronger cases of lice. It has not, however, been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.^{[7]
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10
See a doctor if lice persist or don’t respond to treatment. If you can’t get rid of your pubic lice after two rounds of treatment you should see a health professional. They may write you a prescription or send you to a specialist if they problem is not treated quickly.^{[8]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- If you develop any redness, pain, or swelling, you should talk to your doctor about a possible infection.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Home Remedies for Pubic Lice

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While there are steps you can take to remove lice at home, most medical professionals at the CDC and National Health Service believe that medication is the only way to truly remove lice. That said, the following steps can control lice and relieve itching.
A specialized nit-comb, bought at any pharmacy, is made to remove lice. Comb your hair, starting at the base of the hair and combing all the way up, to physically remove lice.^{[9]
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Cleveland Clinic
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3
Apply petroleum jelly 2-3 times a day. Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) can prevent lice from gripping your hair and make it easier to comb out. The jelly smothers the bugs, suffocating them. After applying the jelly, use a fine-toothed comb to try to remove the lice.^{[10]
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- Make sure the jelly covers the hair from the base to the tip.
4
Use calamine lotion for itch relief. Calamine may also help smother lice, killing them when it dries. More importantly, calamine relieves itching, which may prevent you from scratching your skin and creating an infection.^{[11]
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- Apply the lotion 2-3 times a day.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Preventing Reinfestation

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You want to use hot water and dry the clothes for at least 20 minutes on high. Borax detergent has also been found to kill lice in bedding and towels.^{[12]
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If you cannot wash something, like a stuffed animal or fragile clothing, seal it in an air-tight bag for at least 72 hours to suffocate the lice.^{[13]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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If you share a bed with someone or have had a sexual partner in the last few weeks, have them apply lice treatment now to prevent an infection later.^{[14]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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This may be difficult, but you need to let people know about your situation so they can treat themselves and prevent spreading the disease. Avoid future sexual contact until you have completely treated the problem.
You do not need to throw out all of your furniture, burn your blankets, and buy a new wardrobe. Pubic lice will die without a human host after 48 hours, so if you contain the infected people, wash all the bedding, and follow treatment directions you can prevent an outbreak of pubic lice with ease.^{[15]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Treating Eyelashes and Young Children

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1
Know that pubic lice can live on eyelashes, especially in young children. Though uncommon, pubic lice have been known to survive on smaller children by clinging to their eyelashes. This usually occurs when children share a bed with parents or siblings who have contracted pubic lice.^{[16]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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- Be aware that pubic lice on young children can be a sign of sexual abuse.
2
Pull off any visible lice with fingernails or tweezers. Usually there are only a few lice on eyebrows or eyelashes, and they can be removed by plucking and flushing them down the toilet. Make sure you get everything to prevent reinfestation.^{[17]
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- Lice are small, grey-brown insects that resemble crabs.
- The eggs, or nits, are small white dots usually found at the base of the hair.
Apply the jelly around the edges of the eyes 2-4 times a day. Be sure to get ophthalmic-grade petrolatum ointment, which is available by prescription, as Vaseline can cause eye irritation.^{[18]
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These creams can cause permanent eye damage, and should never be used for cases along the eyes or eyelashes. Similarly, do not use creams for children unless directed by a doctor.