What kills pubic lice?
You treat pubic lice using a special shampoo or cream in the infested area. Using regular soap and hot water isn’t effective in killing pubic lice. You can typically buy shampoos and creams for pubic lice over the counter, without a prescription. They’re safe and effective. Make sure to follow the directions on the package carefully.
For the best results from the lice treatment, follow these steps:
- Check for lice in your underarm hair and other hairy parts of your body. Wash and dry your body.
- Apply the shampoo or cream on all the areas that may have crabs — thighs, underarms and trunk (lower abdomen and buttocks, including near your rectum). Don’t put it on your eyelashes.
- Leave the shampoo or cream on for the amount of time the instructions recommend, then rinse it off.
- Remove nits from hair strands using fingers, tweezers or a fine-toothed comb. Put on clean underwear and clothing after treatment.
- Clean your clothes, bed linens and towels using your washer and dryer’s hottest setting. The heat destroys the crabs. Place items you can’t wash in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks. Or take them to a dry cleaner.
- Don’t spray insecticide on your clothes or other objects in your house.
- Pause your sex life until the crabs go away, usually about two weeks.
- Repeat the treatment in nine to 10 days if the lice remain.
You should make sure everyone in your household and any sexual partners from the last two months receive treatment for pubic lice.
What are the types of shampoos and creams for pubic lice?
Pubic lice treatments that you can buy without a prescription include:
- Permethrin cream. You apply the cream to the affected area and wash it off after about 10 minutes.
- Pyrethrin with piperonyl butoxide. This is a type of shampoo you apply to the area and wash off after 10 minutes.
Common brand names of these lice treatments include A-200®, RID® and Nix®.
Are there prescription medications for pubic lice?
If over-the-counter approaches don’t work, you may need a prescription for stronger treatments. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a topical cream, shampoo or oral medication.
Oral medicine (taken by mouth) works by killing the lice once they bite you and ingest your blood. The most common oral medication is ivermectin, which you take in two doses.
Malathion is a topical cream you put on the infested area for up to 12 hours at a time.
One of the strongest prescription options is lindane shampoo (Kwell®). It destroys lice and eggs but can have serious side effects. It may be toxic to your brain and nervous system. Usually, providers recommend lindane shampoo only when other treatments have failed.
Treatment of lice and nits on eyelashes or eyebrows
You can’t use the same treatment on your eyes that you use in your pubic area. It may be possible to remove nits or lice with a comb or your fingers. However, if this doesn’t work, your provider will prescribe an ointment that’s safe to use near your eyes. This involves applying an ointment to your eyelids several times a day for up to 10 days.
Can I use other at-home treatments for pubic lice?
Special lice shampoos or creams are the only treatments that will work. They kill pubic lice. Shaving or taking hot baths won’t destroy the lice. You can use a hydrocortisone cream to stop the itching, but it won’t treat the lice.
Can I use pubic lice treatment if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your healthcare provider before using any lice treatment.
Should my sex partner(s) get treated for crabs?
Get in touch with your sexual partner(s) from the previous two months. They may have pubic lice, too, and will need treatment.
Does shaving get rid of crabs?
No, shaving your pubic area with a razor isn’t a treatment to get rid of crabs.
Does rubbing alcohol kill pubic lice?
You shouldn’t attempt to use rubbing alcohol to kill pubic lice. This may be effective in adult lice, but it’s not effective against nits or eggs. You should only use the medications your healthcare provider recommends.
