(Crab Lice)
and a few other facts
Excerpts from Chapter 16 of Steve Tvedten's book "The Best Control"
(Used here with permission.)
[About the Pubic Louse]
[
Pests,
Bugs and Other creepsy stuff Site Map] * [ Main
Site Map ]
Pests,
Bugs and Other creepsy stuff Site Map] * [ Main
Site Map ]
Crab Lice
Phthirus pubis (Linnaeus)
Accurate, calm communications are invaluable in explaining pubic louse infestations and making recommendations for their control.
Use diluted Safe Solutions, Inc. Enzyme Cleaner with or without Peppermint to clean and Lice R GoneŽ shampoo or neem soaps, or borax and/or sauna. Tide soap pastes and thyme pastes have also been used successfully.
Routinely wash bedding and underwear. Use 2 oz. Safe Solutions, Inc. Enzyme Cleaner with or without Peppermint and 1/2 cup of borax.
Use detergents, diluted enzyme cleaners, ammonia and/or disinfectants in bedside furniture, toilets, seats, floors and/or general clean-up.
Daily vacuum and then mop with diluted Safe Solutions, Inc. Enzyme Cleaner and borax.
Least-Toxic Crab or Pubic Lice Control
If your pubic area itches, seek diagnosis immediately; there is no reason to suffer unnecessarily. Moreover, if you wait, you may infect others. Note, however, that itching does not necessarily indicate pubic lice - there are other, noninfectious causes of itching in this area, including heat.
If pubic lice are diagnosed, wash bedding and clothing in diluted enzymes and/or borax and/or place them in a hot clothes dryer. If you apply an insecticide poison to your pubic area (very dangerous) do so only as a last resort, or because your doctor has prescribed them. Simply going into a sauna or shaving the affected area and then washing the skin vigorously each day with plain old hot soapy water will usually eliminate the lice. Coconut- or olive-oil-based soaps, e.g., diluted peppermint soaps, have natural insecticidal properties and should be used first. Small infestations may also be cut or shaved off and/or combed out and/or try Lice R GoneŽ shampoo, neem soaps, diluted enzyme cleaners and/or oil of balsam or oil of anise and/or some diluted peppermint soap with enzymes and/or borax laundry powder.
Pyrethrin pediculicides or the pyrethroid NIX are supposedly more effective than lindane (gammabenzene hexachloride) and are less toxic. Pyrethrins are available over the counter in local drug stores; NIX with permethrin is only available by doctor prescription. Use "registered" poisons only as a last resort.
Make sure your sexual partner(s) are alerted to the problem, educated about the infestation, exam- ined and treated, if necessary.
NOTE TO READERS: Please feel free to print this page. All
we ask if you use this material is a reference to where you got it.