Pubic lice - Nature Cures®

Also known as Phthirus pubis or ‘crabs’.

Pubic lice are parasitic insects found primarily in the pubic or genital area of humans. Pubic lice infestation is found worldwide and occurs in all races, ethnic groups, and levels of society.

Nit: Nits are lice eggs. They can be hard to see and are found firmly attached to the hair shaft. They are oval and usually yellow to white. Pubic lice nits take about 6-10 days to hatch.

Nymph: The nymph is an immature louse that hatches from the nit (egg). A nymph looks like an adult pubic louse, but it is smaller. Pubic lice nymphs take about 2-3 weeks after hatching to mature into adults capable of reproducing. To live, a nymph must feed on blood.

Adult: The adult pubic louse resembles a miniature crab when viewed through a strong magnifying glass.

Pubic lice have six legs; their two front legs are very large and look like the pincher claws of a crab. This is how they got the nickname “crabs.” They are tan to grey or white in colour. Females lay nits and are usually larger than males. To live, lice must feed on blood. If the louse falls off a person, it dies within 1-2 days.

They usually are found in the genital area on pubic hair; but they may occasionally be found on other coarse body hair, such as hair on the legs, armpits, moustache, beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Pubic lice on the eyebrows or eyelashes of children may be a sign of sexual exposure or abuse. They can be caught by sharing contaminated towels, bedding or clothing.

NOTE: Lice found on the head are generally head lice, not pubic lice.

The main symptoms of infection are itching and burning of the pubic area, especially at night. The itching may spread as the pubic lice move to other moist areas of the body such as the armpit. For many people the itching is worse at night. Intense or prolonged scratching may lead to skin injuries that may become infected by bacteria.

If there is a large area of redness or pus in the area a skin infection may have developed. Other signs of a pubic infection include a fever, burning during urination or a genital discharge.

Nature cures for pubic lice

Cover the infected area with olive or vegetable oil, tea tree oil or coconut oil. Leave on for around 30 minutes then use a fine-toothed comb to remove the suffocated lice.

Wash all bedding and clothes on a hot wash then tumble dry or iron on hot to kill any remaining lice.

Consume foods rich in yeast and garlic. As these foods metabolise, they make the skin excrete substances that repel lice and make them want to leave the body. While this does not fully remove the problem, it can thin out the number of lice infestation to make the condition easier to manage.

The following herbs contain natural insecticidal properties and act as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic:

Lavender
Neem leaves
Rosemary

These three herbs, together with the following aromatic therapeutic ingredients, have the ability to eliminate external parasites including pubic lice and prevent re-infestation.

Rose geranium
Tea tree oil

Externally, lemon thyme has antiseptic properties which makes it a useful mouthwash and cleansing wash for the skin and home. It will destroy fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and skin parasites such as scabies, crabs and lice.

NOTE: Rosemary is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women or those with high blood pressure.

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