How to Treat and Prevent Pediculosis (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

"Pediculosis" (known as lice or pubic lice) is a parasitic infestation of the genital and pubic areas of humans. Occasionally it can form in other hairy areas of the body, such as the legs, mustache and armpits. It is generally transmitted through sexual contact from one person to another, but it can also spread through unwashed towels, clothes, and bedding. Fortunately, it's an easy and inexpensive problem to deal with. Read on to learn more.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Choosing the Treatment

Step 1. Try lotions containing 1% permethrin

These are products that are generally available without a prescription in the form of creams or lotions and are considered to be very effective in treating lice without having to visit a doctor. The active ingredient inhibits the nerve impulses of parasites, acting on their breath; in other words, it suffocates them and they die. The most popular on the market are Rid, Nix and Pyrinex.

Read the instructions for each over-the-counter or prescription product carefully. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist

Step 2. Use 0.5% malatione lotion

This is a drug that is generally used for the treatment of head lice. However, it has also been found to be effective in the treatment of lice as it is able to kill lice and eggs. Malatione is prescribed if over-the-counter medications do not give positive results.

• Carefully read the instructions for each over-the-counter or prescription product. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Malatione lotion is flammable, so do not apply it if you are near burning flames or other heat sources.
• This lotion should not be used by children under the age of 6.

Step 3. Take ivermectin in tablets

This is a prescription drug usually in tablet form. A single dose of two pills is usually enough to treat the condition. Among the most popular brands is Stromectol.

• Read the instructions for this product carefully. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Keep in mind that not all countries approve the use of this drug for the treatment of pubic lice. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are interested in this option.

Step 4. Try a lindane-based shampoo or lotion

Lindane is a prescription drug that is used only as a last resort. It is very effective in treating head lice; however, it is also potentially toxic. If all else fails, discuss this option with your doctor. Lindane can damage nerve tissue and cause effects on anyone's brain, although the most negative have been found in pregnant and / or breastfeeding women and in patients with sensitive skin. Lindane should not be used to treat:

• premature babies;
• people with seizure disorders;
• pregnant or breastfeeding women;
• people with very irritated skin or wounds in areas where lindane should be applied;

• people who weigh less than 50 kg;

  • If your doctor has prescribed you lindane it is possible that the potential benefits outweigh the risks, but you should still speak to your doctor if you have concerns about using this product.
  • Read the instructions for this product carefully. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

  Part 2 of 4: Getting rid of head lice

  

  Step 1. Wash the genital area

  Thoroughly clean the genital area before applying any type of shampoo or lice cream. The skin absorbs the lotion better if you wipe the dirt and dust off the skin and pubic hair.

  As soon as you wash the affected area, be sure to dry thoroughly as most creams and shampoos should be applied to dry, clean hair

  

  Step 2. Then apply the lice killer

  As mentioned above, choose a solution that contains permethrin, pyrethrin with piperonyl butoxide, or malathione. These are over-the-counter products that do not require a prescription, can be purchased at any pharmacy, and are relatively inexpensive.

  These are safe products; be sure to follow the specific directions (indicated on the label or reported by your doctor) for the timing and frequency of application

  

  Step 3. Follow the directions very carefully

  It is important to emphasize that in order to eliminate and kill nits and lice effectively, you must follow the instructions properly. This includes the duration, quantity and frequency of application.

  

  Step 4. Rinse the area where you applied the medication and dry thoroughly

  In this way you facilitate the elimination of dead nits and lice that must not remain to rot in the skin. They are worse when they are alive, but even dead they are unhygienic.

  • Be sure to wash the towels you used separately to avoid cross-contamination with other clothing and linens.
  • In some cases where the nits get stuck at the base of the hair, you can simply remove them with your fingernails or a fine-toothed comb.

  

  Step 5. Change into new clean clothes

  Be sure to wear fresh, clean clothes and undergarments to avoid recurrence of infestations. Any clothes you wore while you had lice should be washed right away.

  

  Step 6. Wash any fabrics that may be contaminated

  Infested clothes, sheets, and towels should be washed in hot water. Even better if you set the hottest program in the washing machine. All clothing and linen must then be dried in a dryer by setting a hot program, if possible, for about 20 minutes.

  • You should wash any materials you have used in the 2-3 days prior to treatment.
  • Infested blankets, quilts, and rugs can be stored in a sealed plastic bag for a period of 1 to 2 weeks to permanently kill the lice. In this way, they are unable to feed on anyone's blood and therefore die.

  

  Step 7. Repeat the treatment if lice are still present

  You can repeat the procedure for about a week; follow the directions on the package or indicated by your doctor. Even if you think the lice have been eliminated, it is best to repeat the treatment to be completely safe.

  There are some cases, although not very frequent, in which lice found in other areas of the body return to the genital area immediately after treatment

  Part 3 of 4: Using Natural Remedies

  

  Step 1. Comb your pubic hair

  If the problem is not serious, using a fine-toothed comb to remove lice and nits is one of the simplest and most effective methods. Treatment is also cost-effective in terms of time, as getting rid of all lice and nits manually can take up to 14 days. It is very common to combine this technique with another natural treatment.

  

  Step 2. Apply petroleum jelly

  Petroleum jelly suffocates the lice present on pubic hair. Apply it generously to the pubic area, and make sure it covers the base of the hair, to make it easier to remove nits with a fine comb. You can apply petroleum jelly as often as needed to get rid of lice and nits.

  Be aware that regular petroleum jelly should not be used to treat lice and nits on the eyebrows or eyelashes, as it can be very irritating to the eyes. However, your doctor can prescribe you a petroleum jelly designed specifically for the eye area

  

  Step 3. Shave the pubic hair

  Cutting pubic hair will increase the effectiveness of other lice treatments. Importantly, shaving pubic hair alone is not an effective treatment for pubic lice, as they can simply move to other hairy areas of the body.

  Part 4 of 4: Preventing Relapses

  

  Step 1. Avoid any intimate or sexual contact

  Since head lice are often sexually transmitted, it is best to avoid any sexual activity if you are not completely rid of them. Any close contact with someone, such as sex or being too close to a person infested with lice increases your chances of getting them again.

  Condoms are effective against most sexually transmitted diseases, but they do not adequately protect against lice

  

  Step 2. Avoid sleeping with multiple people

  The greater the number of partners, the greater the chances of catching and spreading lice. Mutual infection is possible in the early stages, because you don't know you have head lice. Therefore, limiting sexual activity is the best thing.

  

  Step 3. Inform all people you are in close contact with who are undergoing treatment

  For their health, let them know that you are infested with lice and that they should be treated too. Sure, it's embarrassing, but avoiding saying it creates an even bigger problem; and in the end they would understand it anyway.

  Avoid any sexual contact with the infested person until treatment follows. Both parties need to heal before engaging again in any intimate relationship

  

  Step 4. Don't share your personal stuff

  Combs, towels, pillows and blankets must not be shared with any other person, if one of you is or was infested with lice. It is always better for everyone to use their own personal things, rather than share, to avoid any contagion problems.

  Identify and keep separate everything that has come into close contact with your hair and skin, from brushes to combs to towels, sheets and pillows. If there is any risk of spread, you can avoid it by sterilizing the item and placing it for your exclusive use

  

  Step 5. Wash the sheets before using them again

  While you sleep, lice are free to move anywhere and can be anywhere in the bed. Before and after the treatment, the sheets and pillowcases must be replaced and washed thoroughly to avoid any recurrence.

  • Feel free to wash all surfaces, such as the walls and bathroom fixtures. Wash as many areas as you see fit with warm water and disinfectant solutions such as Dettol to immobilize and kill organisms.
  • Wash clothes above 30 ° C in the washing machine with detergent and fabric softener to help keep clothes free from infestation.