PUBIC LICE

Prepared By:
Zyra Joyce G. Rosales
BSN 3C MSHC
 Definition
Pubic lice are tiny insects that can crawl
from the pubic hair of one person to the
pubic hair of another person during sexual
contact. People can also catch pubic lice
from infested clothing, towels, and
bedding. Once they are on a person's body,
the insects live by sucking blood from their
host. Pubic lice are sometimes called
"crabs" because when seen under a
microscope they look like tiny crabs.
 Images of pubic lice

Leads to these complications

face anus eyelid

 Description
Pubic lice (often called "crabs" because
of their crab-like appearance under a
microscope) are six-legged creatures that
most commonly infest hair in the pubic
area, although they also can infest other
body hair. In most cases, pubic lice are
transmitted sexually from the pubic hair of
one person to another. But lice can be
contracted in other ways, too — from
infested clothing, towels, and bedding.
P
 Signs and Symptoms
• Itchiness (usually during at night)
• Red marks in pubic areas
• Hives in pubic areas
• Black specks on underwear
• Itching areas of hair
• Itching scalp hair
• Itching eyebrows
• Red marks in hairy areas
• Visible lice in hair
 Causes and Risk Factors
Predisposing Factors Precipitating Factors
• Presence of Phthirus pubis
• Children (because they • Sex (the most common form of
usually play along with contact that results in an infestation
their friends, is through sex, including sexual
intercourse, anal sex and oral sex)
unknowingly, carries lice)
• Non-sexual bodily contact [such
• Adolescents (because they as hugging or kissing may also result
are sexually active) in an infestation (less common)]
• Sharing items  [haring towels,
bedding, etc., with an infected
person can raise the risk of pubic
lice infestation in other people (much
smaller risk)]
Simple Pathogenesis
Contact of Phthirus pubis onto the
body

P. Pubis will look for a warm place to

stay (especially in hairy areas)

Bites and burrows into your skin

Signs and symptoms:

-itchiness
-redness
-presence of lice on hair
(eyebrows, scalp hair, pubic
areas and other hair areas)
 Diagnostic Test
Diagnosis of crabs is made from the history of the
symptoms as well as close inspection of the affected
body part.
>Sometimes, the doctor may take samples of the
patient's pubic hair to examine under the microscope to
get a closer inspection of the lice. Lice eggs, or "nits,"
may be found attached to hair in the pubic area.
>If a patient does see a physician for crabs, be sure
they are honest about their sexual history and
symptoms, because this will help get proper diagnosis
and treatment.
Pubic Lice Treatment
Self-Care at home
• It is possible to treat crabs with over-the-counter medications.
Prescription medications are also available. Contact a
healthcare professional if an individual has any questions about
treatment.

• Combing hair is important to remove eggs, also after treatment.

A variety of combs are available commercially. They are sold in
most drugstores and online. A popular model is the LiceMeister,
which is a product of the National Pediculosis Association.

• Some doctors recommend trimming the pubic hair with a

nonsharp electric razor in order to reduce the number of lice
and eggs present.
 Medications
Definitive treatment comes from the following drugs: 
• Permethrin (Elimite) is a lice-killing product that is
available over-the-counter without a prescription. When
using this product it is important to exactly follow the
instructions on the package. 

– Avoid mucous membranes, which are found at the tip

of the penis and the opening of the vagina. 

– Repeat anti-lice treatment in seven to 10 days to kill

nits that may have hatched.
• Lindane (Kwell): An alternative treatment when permethrin
(Elimite) is not available. Lindane requires a doctor's
prescription.

– Apply for 10 minutes then rinse with warm water. 

– Lindane should not be used on children. Lindane can be

toxic to the brain and nervous system and should only be
used when other treatments have failed.

• Malathion lotion (Ovide) and ivermectin (Stromectol) are

other prescription medications that have been shown to be
effective against pubic lice or crabs.

• Use over-the-counter antihistamines such

as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for itching. 
 Prevention
Crabs are usually spread by direct skin-to-skin
intimate contact.
• Avoid contact with known infected people and
textiles or clothing that may have been
contaminated by someone who is infected with
pubic lice.
• After treatment has been completed, ensure that
all clothing and linens have been disinfected to
avoid re-infection or spread of the infection to
someone else in the home.
 Nursing Diagnoses
• Impaired skin integrity r/t invasion of skin
structures and pathogenic organisms

-wear gloves when caring for the client with skin lesions
-cleanse the skin thoroughly, but gently. In the case of
bacterial infections or lesions with secondary infections, use
an antimicrobial soap. Gently remove crust, scales and
traces of old medications before applying fresh creams or
lotions. Administer prescribed medications; apply creams
and lotions; then monitor there effectiveness.
-explain what you are doing and why.
• Risk for infection r/t open lesions

-teach patient to wash hands often

especially after using the bathroom, before
and after meals
-discuss to pt. the signs and symptoms of
infection such as redness, fever, swelling
and pain
-demonstrate to pt. the proper wound
dressings
• Acute pain r/t itching, burning and infection

-instruct client to keep the environment

temperature cool because warmth increases
itching.
-Cleanse skin lesions with tepid water and
not hot.
-stress the importance of not scratching the
lesions.
• Disturbed body image r/t unsightly skin
lesions and embarrassment

-encourage the client to ask questions and to talk

about feelings.
-provide positive reinforcement as the client learns
to care for the skin lesions. When possible, suggest
ways to camouflage the lesions or minimize the
appearance.
-when there is no danger of spreading the
infection, encourage client to participatein social
and work activities.
• Knowledge deficit r/t lack of information
about the transmission, causes and
treatment of pubic lice

-discuss to pt. the disease and how can it can affect

us.
-provide information to S.O. so that they will not
get infected and will be able to provide health
management if this kind of situation occurs.
 The
End

zyrajoyce