A. PEDICULOSIS PUBIS (pubic lice), is caused by the insect Phthirus pubis, otherwise and affectionately known as the crab louse. It is considered a sexually transmitted disease.
These lice live for about a month before dying. But they require blood meals to survive, without which they would die in a few days. They are found mostly on the pubic hairs and they let themselves be known by the itchiness they cause in the region. In reality, this itchiness is caused by the injection of saliva, feces and/or digestive juices of the insect into its hosts' skin. Although the lice themselves are seldom seen, the eggs, or nits are what gives away the diagnosis. They can be seen clinging tightly to the hairs. These nits will hatch and evolve into adults within 2 or 3 weeks.
As for TREATMENT:
Treatment of pubic lice should ideally include all sexual contacts.
There are two main principles.
Of course, the best treatment remains prevention. Safer sex guidelines such as condom use will help prevent transmission.
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