Why do we get pubic lice?

Pubic lice are a relatively common parasite that can be transmitted through sexual contact or some indirect contact. It will cause itching and rash to the patient. In more serious cases, infection will form pustules, leading to exudation and other symptoms. It is quite harmful. If you want to completely cure it, you should use some medicines in time. In addition, you must strengthen personal hygiene. Let’s take a look at this aspect.

Why do we get pubic lice?

1. Pubic lice are transmitted through sexual contact

Sexual activity often gives pubic lice the opportunity to find new hosts and infect new hosts, so pubic lice often spreads among promiscuous people. Couples often suffer from pubic lice together.

2. Pubic lice are transmitted through direct contact

Refers to other direct contact transmissions that are not sexual. It can be transmitted indirectly through underwear, mattresses or toilet seats. Due to limited living conditions, crowded housing and poor sanitary conditions, sleeping in the same bed and close contact with patients with pubic lice can also spread the disease.

3. Indirect contact transmission of pubic lice

Pubic lice and lice eggs often contaminate underwear, towels, bed sheets, toilets, etc. as pubic hair falls off. Other people can be infected by coming into contact with these items contaminated by pubic lice. Pubic lice often occur in people who live in poor hygiene and crowded environments. In recent years, it has been discovered that some people have been infected with pubic lice by wearing shorts while riding horses. But generally speaking, the hosts of pubic lice are humans, not animals.

Clinical symptoms of pubic lice

(1) Itching

Itching is the main symptom, but the degree of itching varies from person to person. Itching is caused by pubic lice using their claws to pierce or puncture the skin, and itching occurs when the lice bite and inject saliva. Pubic lice inject saliva when sucking blood because saliva can prevent blood from clotting, which facilitates blood sucking. Pubic lice suck blood several times a day, so the itching is paroxysmal.

(2) Rash

There are often microscopic holes (invisible to the naked eye) at the site of pubic lice bites, local redness, small red spots, and blood scabs on them; after about 5 days, an allergic reaction occurs locally at the microscopic holes, and raised papules often appear. Infection often occurs due to scratching, with pustules, exudate, and crusting.

(3) Blue-gray spots

Blue-gray spots of 0.2 to 2 cm in size can be seen near the affected area. They are painless and itchy, do not fade when pressed, and can last for several months. These blue-gray spots can also be seen on the chest, abdomen, inner thigh, etc. The cause of these blue-gray spots is still unclear, but it may be related to the saliva entering the blood during pubic lice bites.