How should pubic lice in women be treated? - briefly
Apply a 1 % permethrin cream or a 0.5 % malathion lotion to the pubic region, leave for the recommended duration (typically 10 minutes), then rinse thoroughly; repeat the treatment in 7–10 days to eliminate any newly hatched lice. Simultaneously wash all clothing, bedding, and towels at high temperature and treat sexual partners with the same regimen to prevent reinfestation.
How should pubic lice in women be treated? - in detail
Pubic lice infestation in female patients, caused by Pediculus pubis, presents with itching, erythema, and visible nits attached to coarse hair in the pubic region. Diagnosis relies on visual identification of live insects or nit shells adhered to hair shafts.
Effective management combines pharmacologic therapy with hygiene measures. Recommended topical agents include permethrin 1 % cream rinse, pyrethrins combined with piperonyl butoxide, malathion 0.5 % lotion, and ivermectin 0.5 % lotion. Oral ivermectin (200 µg/kg single dose) serves as an alternative when topical treatment is contraindicated or fails.
- Apply the chosen cream or lotion to dry, clean skin, ensuring thorough coverage of the affected area and adjacent hair.
- Leave the product in place for the duration specified in the manufacturer’s instructions (typically 10 minutes).
- Rinse or wipe off the preparation as directed, then wash the treated region with mild soap.
- Repeat the application after 7–10 days to eradicate newly hatched lice.
Adjunctive hygiene practices are essential. Wash clothing, towels, and bedding at ≥ 60 °C or seal in a plastic bag for 72 hours to kill resistant stages. Trim or shave pubic hair to reduce habitat, but retain hair for at least 48 hours post‑treatment to allow residual medication to act on any surviving insects. All sexual partners require simultaneous treatment to prevent reinfestation.
Follow‑up examination 2–3 weeks after the initial regimen confirms eradication. Persistent symptoms or visible nits warrant a second course of therapy, possibly with an alternative agent. Documentation of treatment outcomes and patient education on prevention reduce recurrence risk.