Crabs - Diagnosing pubic lice
- Introduction
- Symptoms of pubic lice
- Causes of pubic lice
- Diagnosing pubic lice
- Treating pubic lice
- 'When my GP said I had pubic lice, I was revolted'
If you think you have pubic lice, get checked as soon as possible.
You can go to:
- a sexual health clinic, also called a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic
- a contraception clinic
- your GP surgery to see your GP or practice nurse
Sexual health and GUM clinics are often located in hospitals or health centres. Search for sexual health services in your area.
You can also search for GUM clinics in your area on the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) website.
In many cases, a healthcare professional will be able to confirm that you have pubic lice by examining the affected area. They may use a magnifying glass to look for:
- yellow-grey or dusky red-coloured lice
- brown lice eggs or empty white eggshells (nits)
If you find nits, it does not necessarily mean that you still have an active infestation, although you may still be offered treatment.
Getting tested for STIs
If you already know that you have pubic lice, your local pharmacy can offer advice and treatment.
However, if the pubic lice were transferred through sexual contact, it may be recommended that you are tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as a precaution.
It will also be recommended that all your sexual partners over the last three months are seen and treated.
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