Pediculosis

Pubic hair, like the scalp, can be affected by a number of infections, whether from bacterial, fungal or parasitic origin. When the pubic hair is infested with a parasite called Pthirus pubis, commonly known as crab, it is called genital pediculosis.

How is it produced?

The Pthirus pubis is a parasitic insect of the human being that, unlike the louse (Pediculus humanus), does not affect the scalp but the pubic hair. However, they can also be seen less frequently in other areas, such as the perineum, trunk, armpits or thighs. Is a 1-3mm length insect, flattened, living between the folds of skin and clothing and feeding on blood and dead skin cells.

Females put a average 10-15 eggs every five days, which usually take about 8-10 days to hatch and give rise to nits. Most of the time it is spread by direct contact with another infected person during sexual intercourse. Sometimes it can be caused by contact with the underwear of a person who has crabs.

Symptoms

The main symptom produced by pubic parasitosis is itching, intense itching predominantly nocturnal. Sometimes the itching is so intense that it causes the patient to scratch so hard that abrasions are produced in the scrotum, with the consequent risk of infection in the wounds and pyoderma.

Sometimes, if the infestation is not numerous, the patient may not present any symptoms or only a slight punctual itch, with which he is not aware of the disease and, therefore, can continue to infect other people.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on the itching symptoms explained by the patient and the direct view from parasites and nits.

Treatment

Treatment of crabs it will be topical, using creams, lotions or shampoos that contain pyrethroids such as permethrin or gamma benzene hexachloride, which should be applied and left on for about 8 hours. It should be applied to the affected area, as well as to the adjacent hairy areas (abdomen, thighs, perineum).

If nits or crabs are still detected one week after the treatment, it is advisable to repeat the treatment again.

The sexual partners The patient's usual symptoms should be examined and treated in case there has been contagion.

It is advisable to dry clean or with very hot water all the bedding, towels, pajamas and underwear of the patient.

Precautionary measures

The best preventive measure to avoid the spread of crabs is to make sure that the sexual partner is not infected. The condom does not protect against these types of infections.