Over the last number of months, we’ve certainly learned a thing or two about the wide range of contraceptives that are available on the market today. Now, we are going to continue our focus on sexual health by studying a wide range of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Last week, we took a look at syphilis. This week, we will be focusing on pubic lice. _______________________________________ What are pubic lice? Pubic lice can also be known as crabs. They are tiny insects about one to two millimetres long. Lice are blood-sucking insects that can survive by feeding on small amounts of blood. They live in hairy areas of the body. How do you get pubic lice? Pubic lice are passed on through close body contact with others. You can catch pubic lice by having sex with someone who already has them. It is also possible to catch lice through non-sexual contact with an affected person such as kissing someone who has lice in their beard. What are the symptoms of pubic lice? The main symptom of pubic lice is itching in the affected areas, usually in an area where there is pubic hair. It may take one to three weeks for itching to begin after being infected and is usually worse at night. Red bumps or faint blue spots may appear on the skin. Some people develop an inflammation of the eye if their eyelashes have been infected. Others, however, have no symptoms at all. How is pubic lice treated? Pubic life is treated with a specific insecticide that has been created to be used on the human body. It kills the lice and should be used twice for proper treatment, with seven days between each treatment. How do I get tested for pubic lice? If you begin to notice symptoms, pay a visit to your GP who will advise you on the best treatment to take. How can I prevent pubic lice? If you use condoms during sex you are at a lower risk of contracting a number of STIs. If you believe that you may have a sexually transmitted infection, you should make an appointment to see your GP.