medicine news: One more reason to use precaution while engaging in sexual intercourse

A 50-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of mild, generalized pruritus. A total-body examination of the patient's skin revealed small, yellowish-brown flecks in the hair of the upper arm, chest, and axilla on the left side and in the pubic area.

Dermoscopy showed pubic lice (Phthirus pubis), colloquially termed “crabs”. The pubic louse is classically a sexually transmitted pediculus and is aptly named, since it is most commonly found in pubic hair. In heavy infestations, the trunk, limbs, and eyelashes can be colonized.

Dermoscopy revealed the typical broad body of the crab and the large middle and hind legs, which have thick claws for grasping hairs.

The patient was treated with two total-body applications of topical permethrin 5% cream, which were applied 1 week apart. Household members were also treated. Complete resolution was achieved without recurrence.

Source

_______________________________________________

According to emedicinehealth, the possible causes are:

The source of infection for pubic lice is intimate contact with an infected person. Therefore, pubic lice are often transmitted during sex.
Since transmission occurs during intimate contact, actual sexual intercourse is not necessary for the spread of pubic lice.
Pubic lice can also be transmitted by contact with contaminated belongings such as towels, bed sheets, or clothing.
Crabs are transmitted through any intimate contact. Lice do not jump or fly, so actual contact is necessary for transmission. An individual may acquire an infection by sharing bedding or towels.
Cats, dogs, and other pets are not involved in the spread of human lice. Your pet cannot become infested with human lice and transmit the lice to another person.

For more information click here.

According to MedicineNet, there are three stages in the life of a pubic louse: the nit, the nymph, and the adult.

Nit: Nits are pubic lice eggs. They are hard to see and are found firmly attached to the hair shaft.

They are about the size of the mark at the end of this arrow Nit size illustration . They are oval and usually yellow to white. Nits take about 1 week to hatch.

Nymph: The nit hatches into a baby louse called a nymph. It looks like an adult pubic louse, but is smaller. Nymphs mature into adults about 7 days after hatching. To live, the nymph must feed on blood.

Adult: The adult pubic louse is about this size Pubic louse size illustration and resembles a miniature crab when viewed through a strong magnifying glass. Pubic lice have six legs, but their two front legs are very large and look like the pincher claws of a crab; this how they got the nickname “crabs.” Pubic lice are tan to greyish-white in color. Females lay nits; they are usually larger than males. To live, adult lice need to feed on blood. If the louse falls off a person, it dies within 1-2 days.