Having the crabs (pubic lice) is a real bummer. While it won’t make you sick, it can leave you itching like there’s no tomorrow, which does put you at risk for getting a bacterial infection from too much scratching.
Following these tips ought to help you keep crabs away…
1. Take Medication
In treating crabs, doctors usually recommend strong medications such as malathion and ivermectin, both topical solutions that kill the lice responsible for itching and irritation. Use either medication as prescribed.
This household item might just do the trick…
2. Apply Petroleum Jelly
Rubbing petroleum jelly on the affected areas suffocates the lice, particularly those in eyelashes and eyebrows. To use, carefully apply the jelly with a cotton swab and wash it off the next day.
Various bathroom products are also quite promising in the treatment of crabs…
3. Use Shampoo
Aside from over-the-counter topicals and lotions, anti-lice shampoos like Nix have been proven to be effective in relieving pubic lice. Notably, Nix contains permethrin, a chemical known for eliminating lice and other mites. To use, apply and leave the shampoo on for the amount of time recommended by your doctor and then rinse.
Cleanliness does wonders in more ways than you think…
4. Shower Thoroughly
Thoroughly washing your body, specifically the hairy parts, can prevent pubic lice.. Shaving, however, won’t make that much of a difference, despite what some might believe.
Keeping up with this chore can also do wonders in preventing pubic lice…
5. Wash Contaminated Clothing
Towels, linens, and all types of clothing used in the two days prior to treatment should be properly washed and cleaned in a laundry cycle. Use hot water and antibacterial soap and dry in high heat for up to half an hour to reduce contamination. It’s also important to always wear clean clothing in order to avoid further contamination.
It’s important not to neglect dress clothes, either…
6. Dry Clean And Seal Unwashable Items
If you can’t wash your favorite bed comforters or work clothes, make sure to have them dry-cleaned and seal them in an air-tight plastic bag for a couple of weeks before reusing them again.
Sharing, even with the best of intentions, is not always caring…
7. Refrain From Sharing Clothes
Because pubic lice can be transmitted to others through fabric, lending your clothes to other people should be avoided at all costs. If you have worn borrowed clothes, make sure to clean thoroughly.
Some ideas might not yield the expected results…
8. Avoid Insecticide Sprays
If you’re thinking of spraying bug spray on your clothes, don’t. Common insecticide sprays can’t control pubic lice, and they can even cause more irritation to the affected areas than imagined.
As the next treatment option suggests, targeting the affected area can sometimes be the only way to rid the problem…
9. Remove Dead Lice
After trying other treatments for crabs, some nits might get stuck to strands of the hair. In these cases, you might have to remove the lice yourself. To remove them, use a fine-toothed comb or your fingernails.
The following treatment option is preventative…
10. Avoid Sexual Activities
Lice can jump from one body to another, and for this reason, you should try to avoid engaging in sexual activities until the condition clears away. Additionally, limit encounters with people who have multiple partners to ensure you stay healthy and keep others healthy, too.
