How long does it take to completely eliminate pubic lice with treatment?

Nov 08, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Wenmin

Introduction

During the treatment period, patients should maintain cleanliness and hygiene of the vulva by bathing frequently and changing underwear regularly. This helps reduce the breeding and reproduction of pubic lice, thereby shortening the treatment cycle. Patients should avoid sexual contact to prevent transmitting the lice to others. At the same time, they should also avoid using others' towels, bath towels, and other personal items to prevent cross-infection.

Generally speaking, pubic lice refer to pediculosis pubis (crab lice infestation). Pediculosis pubis can usually be cured within one to two weeks. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If the patient's condition is mild, with only slight itching, pain, and other symptoms, and the pubic hair is promptly shaved and appropriate medication administered, the treatment course may be relatively short. With active treatment for about one week, the patient's symptoms can significantly improve, and the pediculosis pubis may be cured. However, for patients with more severe symptoms, such as intense itching, pain, or rashes, or those who neglect personal hygiene during treatment, the condition may recur and require up to two weeks for complete recovery.

Shaving pubic hair is an important step in treating pediculosis pubis, as it removes the lice's habitat and reduces the space available for parasites to survive. After shaving, patients may experience some degree of symptom relief. Under a physician's guidance, topical medications such as benzyl benzoate lotion, crotamiton cream, or clove basil oil cream can be used. These medications effectively kill both the lice and their eggs, thereby curing the condition.

During treatment, patients should maintain good hygiene of the genital area, bathe frequently, and change underwear regularly. These practices help reduce lice proliferation and shorten the treatment duration. Sexual contact should be avoided to prevent transmission to others. Additionally, patients should refrain from using other people's personal items such as towels and washcloths to prevent cross-infection.

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What Causes Men to Have Pubic Lice?

Male pubic lice infestation may be caused by poor personal hygiene habits, close contact with infected individuals, transmission through sexual contact, skin injuries, or other reasons. To prevent pubic lice infection, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid sharing personal items with infected individuals, minimize the use of unsterilized items in public places, keep the skin intact, and prevent injuries, thereby creating a healthy living environment.

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Can povidone-iodine kill pubic lice?

Under normal circumstances, povidone-iodine cannot kill pubic lice. Pubic lice are a type of parasite that primarily infest human pubic hair and body hair around the anal area, feeding on human blood. Povidone-iodine is an iodine-containing disinfectant mainly used for disinfection of the skin and mucous membranes, and it is effective in killing various microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. However, its mechanism of action is not applicable to parasites like pubic lice.