PUBIC PEDICULOSIS – DEFINITION
Pubic pediculosis is due to infestation with the crab louse Phthirus pubis. The adult louse is blue-grey or reddish brown depending on how much blood it contains. It measures 1 to 2 mm diameter and is just visible to the naked eye. Eggs (nits) are in chitin sacs firmly attached to the base of single hairs. Although infestation may spread to other hairy parts of the body except the scalp, it usually involves only pubic and perianal hair. Although this is usually a sexually transmitted infestation, it may be acquired from contaminated toilet seats, towels, underclothing or bedding. Ordinary laundering is sufficient to disinfest clothing and bed linen.
Symptoms may. develop after a period ranging from a few days to several weeks. The louse feeds by sucking blood; the bites may cause intense irritation followed by secondary infection or eczematous changes. The patient may present with black specks on underpants. Many patients are asymptomatic.
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