Pubic lice, (or crab lice-Phthirus pubis), may be recognized by their crab-like appearance. They attach themselves to the coarse body hairs in the pubic region, where the female deposits her eggs (nits) onto the hair shaft. Each female produces 10-15 eggs that hatch in about ten days. The young become capable of reproducing in about two weeks. The bite of the insect can cause intense itching.

Spread of the infection is usually by close physical contact, sexual intercourse with infected people or use of infected bedding, clothing, sleeping bags, toilet seats, etc. The best personal hygiene measures to avoid infestation are to bathe and change underclothing daily.

The actual size of the crab louse and egg is very small and can only be seen on close inspection in good light or with a magnifying glass.

A. Kwell shampoo (1% gammabenzene hexachloride). Prescription only.

1. Before applying Kwell shampoo, use a regular shampoo without conditioners. Rinse thoroughly and completely dry hair.
2. Apply Kwell shampoo directly to the dry hair without adding water. Work it thoroughly into the hair and allow it to remain in place for 4 minutes only.
3. After 4 minutes, add small quantities of water to the hair until a good lather forms.
4. Immediately rinse all lather away. Avoid unnecessary contact of lather with other body surfaces.
5. Towel briskly and comb through hair with a fine comb to remove nits. Soaking the hair in vinegar will loosen the nits and make them easier to remove.
6. All clothing, towels and bed linens should be laundered and dried using the hot cycle.
7. The Kwell treatment should be repeated after 1 week if new nits are visible close to the skin. Do not, under any circumstances, use the medication more than twice without seeking medical advice.
8. Sexual contacts should be treated simultaneously.

B. R & C Spray III, (non prescription), may be used to treat items of furniture or other inanimate objects which cannot be washed or dry cleaned.