This image displays pubic lice (seen near the center on the right). This image displays pubic lice in the eyelashes. This image displays pubic lice and eggs attached to hair. This image displays pediculosis pubis (pubic lice, crab lice). Pubic lice are easily seen and give a speckled, dirty appearance to a heavily infested area.
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Pubic Lice (Pediculosis Pubis)  Information for adults

Picture of Pubic Lice (Pediculosis Pubis): This image displays pubic lice (seen near the center on the right). Divider line
This image displays pubic lice (seen near the center on the right).
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Treatments Your Provider May Prescribe
Your doctor may:
  • Treat the infestation with permethrin cream rinse or permethrin cream OR pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide. Treatment with typical insecticides may be repeated after 1 week.
  • Try Malathion 0.5% lotion OR ivermectin, an oral medication, taken in one dose and repeated after 1 week.
  • Treat any sex partners you have had within the previous month, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Your doctor will be sure to treat all infested hair-bearing areas to prevent the infestation from coming back.

Avoid sexual contact until you and your partner(s) have been treated and reevaluated to be sure the infestation is no longer present.


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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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