Mandavoshka — how do pubic lice appear?
Fans of Sex and the City may remember the episode in which Charlotte contracted pubic lice after having a thigh-shaking session with a young man. But where do they (the lice, not the young man) come from and what if they take the place of the aforementioned heroine of the series?
Contents of the article:
What is this?
Like head lice, pubic lice are flat, wingless parasites that feed on blood. They do not fly or jump and live mainly in the genital area. Sometimes they can settle on other parts of the body covered with coarse hair — mustache, beard, armpits, eyebrows. It is important to note here that the appearance of pubic lice on a child’s eyebrows and eyelashes is a cause for concern. He may be talking about violent behavior of a sexual nature. Can pubic lice transmit diseases? No. Pubic lice can be a source of disease. This is perhaps the only positive moment in this whole story.
What do they look like?
Again, similar to head lice. Lice (mandavos) go through three completely identical stages: egg (nit), nymph and adult louse. Pubic lice nits are oval shaped, yellow in color, very small and not easy to spot. In addition, they are firmly attached to the hair. After 6-10 days, nymphs hatch from the eggs. It looks almost like an adult louse, but it takes another 2-3 weeks to enter the maturation stage.
Mature pubic lice are brown or grayish-white in color. They have six legs and measure about 1. 6 mm or less. This means that they are almost identical to pinheads. In English, pubic lice are often called crabs. This is due to the fact that they have claws on their front legs, similar to crayfish.
Symptoms
At first, an infected person may not notice any discomfort at all. After a few days or weeks, the following symptoms appear:
- Visible lice eggs or lice
Lice eggs may appear as small white dots that are difficult to remove. And individuals that have already hatched literally bite into the genital area. It can get worse at night — at this time, pubic lice become more active and hide their heads inside the pubic hair follicles to gain access to blood.
- Traces of blood on linen
Small blood stains on underwear are a very clear symptom of pubic lice infestation.
- Inflammatory process
Allergic reactions to proteins contained in pubic lice saliva can cause severe irritation, including measles and blisters.
Read also: Pubis — Structure and Function of the Female Pubic Bone the pubic bone, also known as the mons pubis, is located in front of the pelvic girdle. The bones behind the back and the sciatic nerve form a cup-shaped structure.
Itching can become even more intense, and ultimately, a secondary bacterial infection can develop. Scratching the itchy area only promotes the spread of lice.
- Skin Discoloration
Pale blue spots may appear on the lower back, buttocks, or abdomen. This indicates stimulation and spread of infestation in the eyelid area. It can be found in children.
Making a diagnosis
A person infested with pubic lice may wrap themselves in lice or adult eggs around their genital area. However, if any of the above symptoms occur, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately. To make a diagnosis, the doctor may use a microscope or examine the patient with ultraviolet light. They will also examine the patient for other sexually transmitted infections.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can be infected with pubic lice. This condition occurs in people of all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic levels. In the United States alone, approximately 3 million cases are diagnosed annually. In rare cases, the infection can be transmitted through clothing (if it is exchanged with infected clothing), bedding, or towels. However, there is no need to be afraid of infested public restrooms—pubic lice do not live on toilet seats.
Treatment
Special lotions and other topical treatments are used (it is best to choose the one recommended by a doctor). Before applying to the genital area, the area should be thoroughly washed and dried. Adult lice are killed, but eggs may remain in pubic hair. These should be removed. Infected clothing and bedding that the person slept on should also be washed. If any clothing cannot be machine washed, it should be dry cleaned or wrung out in a plastic bag for two weeks. If the infected person had any type of sex (anal, vaginal, oral) with a partner(s), they should be informed as soon as possible. Speaking of sex! They should avoid full recovery.
Lice and gorillas
Weird fact: Mick Carman, chief primate keeper at London Zoo, was once interviewed. He said male gorillas have been a source of interest to female visitors over the years. And the main attraction of the zoo at that time, the gorilla Guy, was wildly popular.
But it”s not scary! According to Carmen, some women offered their services at the zoo. For example, if one day you decide to take part in a human-gorilla hybrid breeding program, you can count on us. The zoo (for some reason) refused their help. Speaking of gorillas! Scientific research conducted several years ago shows that large infestations of pubic lice occurred in our ancestors, thanks to the same gorillas. Stop! Don”t blame your distant ancestors! David Reed, a researcher at the University of Florida, said. Transmission of infection between the ancestors of gorillas and modern ancestors of humans may occur through other activities.” Well, let”s hope. And we advise zookeepers to keep a closer eye on visitors. Especially for those who have an unhealthy fascination with male gorillas.
