How is a pubic lice infestation treated?

A lice-killing shampoo (also called a pediculicide) made of 1% permethrin or pyrethrin is recommended to treat pubic lice. These products are available without a prescription at your local drug store. Medication is generally very effective; apply the medication exactly as directed on the bottle. A prescription medication, called Lindane (1%) is available through your health care provider. Lindane is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, or for children less than 2 years old.

Malathion* lotion 0.5% (Ovide*) is another prescription medication that is effective against pubic lice.

How to treat pubic lice infestations: (Note: see section below for treatment of eyelashes or eyebrows. The lice medications described in this section should not be used near the eyes.)

1. Wash the infested area; towel dry.
2. Thoroughly saturate hair with lice medication. If using permethrin or pyrethrins, leave medication on for 10 minutes; if using Lindane, only leave on for 4 minutes. Thoroughly rinse off medication with water. Dry off with a clean towel.
3. Following treatment, most nits will still be attached to hair shafts. Nits may be removed with fingernails.
4. Put on clean underwear and clothing after treatment.
5. To kill any lice or nits (attached to hairs) that may be left on clothing or bedding, machine-wash those washable items that the infested person used during the 2-3 days before treatment. Use the hot water cycle (130°F). Use the hot dryer cycle for at least 20 minutes.
6. Dry-clean clothing that is not washable.
7. Inform any sexual partners that they are at risk for infestation.
8. Do not have sex until treatment is complete.
9. Do not have sex with infected partners until partners have been treated and infestation has been cured.
10. Repeat treatment in 7-10 days if lice are still found.

To treat nits and lice found on eyebrows or eyelashes:

• If only a few nits are found, it may be possible to remove live lice and nits with your fingernails or a nit comb.
• If additional treatment is needed for pubic lice nits found on the eyelashes, applying an ophthalmic-grade petrolatum ointment (only available by prescription) to the eyelids twice a day for 10 days is effective. Vaseline* is a kind of petrolatum, but is likely to irritate the eyes if applied.