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Pubic pediculosis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Recommended regimens for treatment of pubic lice
Permethrin 1% cream, applied to the affected area and washed off after 10 minutes.
Or Lindane, 1% shampoo is applied for 4 minutes and then washed off with water (not recommended for pregnant and lactating women or children younger than 2 years)
Or Pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide are applied to the affected areas and washed off after 10 minutes.
Therapy with Lindane is still the least expensive; toxicity (seizures, aplastic anemia) was not reported when treatment was limited to the recommended 4 minutes. Permethrin is the least toxic if it is misused.
Other observations on patient management
The recommended regimens should not be used for application in the eye area. When lice pediculosis, it is necessary to use an occlusive ophthalmic ointment, which is applied to the edge of the eyelids 2 times a day for 10 days.
Bedding and linen must be decontaminated (machine wash or machine drying using high temperature; dry cleaning); they should not come in contact with the body for at least 72 hours. Fumigation of the residential area is not required.
Follow-up
If symptoms persist, the patient should be re-examined after a week. If lice or nits are found at the base of the hair, a second treatment may be required. If treatment for one of the recommended schemes is ineffective, the patient should be treated according to an alternative scheme.
Treatment of sexual partners
It is necessary to treat the sexual partners with whom the patient contacted during the last month.
Treatment of pubic lice in pregnancy
Pregnant and lactating women should be treated with permethrin or pyrethrin with piperonyl butoxide.
Treatment of pubic lice in HIV infection
Persons with HIV infection and pubic lice are required to receive the same treatment as those without HIV infection.
Drugs