Phthyriasis (pubic pediculosis) is a skin disease, a parasitic type that is caused by pubic lice. Unlike head lice and head lice, they hold on to the hair with only three paws, moving from the trunk to the hair and in the opposite direction. These parasites feed on human blood, laying nits on the root of the hair.
CAUSES OF PHTHYRIASIS
As a rule, this disease is transmitted only through sexual contact, in the process of contact with the patient’s skin. But, there are cases when phthyriasis is transmitted when using a shared shower, bed, clothes.
After sexual infection, lice settle around the anus, on the perineum, in the pubic area. After household infection, lice settle on the hairy part of the chest, eyelashes, in the armpit area. In any case, with untimely treatment of the disease, the settlement of lice will occur throughout the body.
SYMPTOMS OF PHTHYRIASIS
The main symptom is itching of varying intensity. It depends on the individual perception of the organism. Itching is manifested due to insect bites. A non-specialist cannot always detect a parasite on his hair. The pubic louse appears to be a small grain of grayish-brown shade located at the root of the hair. The nits are colored gray and are attached at the very base of the hair.
If you suspect the presence of this disease, you should urgently consult with a dermatovenerologist. Independent attempts to cure this disease can result in a complication, since phthyriasis is very similar in its manifestations to allergic skin rashes. And with the spontaneous, erroneous appointment of hormonal ointments for the treatment of allergic rashes, lice begin to multiply even more actively, because for them it is an excellent nutrient medium.
Insect bites are dangerous for humans because infectious processes begin at the sites of skin damage, and this provokes the formation of pustules.
Phthyriasis has no dependence on the cleanliness of a person, it is a contagious disease transmitted by contact.
DIAGNOSIS OF PHTHYRIASIS
When diagnosing this disease, only a visual examination by a specialist is sufficient. But, in the presence of sexually transmitted phthyriasis, it is better to check for other infections that are also transmitted through sexual contact.
TREATMENT OF PHTHYRIASIS
Modern pharmaceuticals offers a large number of drugs for the treatment of this disease: emulsions, ointments, shampoos, sprays, etc. All these drugs kill both lice and their offspring, nits. Anti-phthyriasis drugs have one contraindication, they can not be used during pregnancy and lactation. If necessary, you can use sulfur ointment, which has no contraindications, except for an unpleasant smell.
If lice are localized on the eyelashes and eyebrows, then their mechanical removal is required, with further treatment with yellow mercury ointment.
Shampoos in the treatment of phthyriasis have an auxiliary effect, so it is best to use them the next day, after the main drug.
The disease can be transmitted through clothes, bed linen and towels, and in order to prevent a relapse of the disease, heat treatment and subsequent disinfection of things are required. The washcloth needs to be changed, and the bathroom should be thoroughly treated with disinfectants.
Pubic hair infected with phthyriasis must be shaved to remove most of the lice mechanically.
Treatment should be carried out not only by the person who has been diagnosed with this disease, but also by people who have been in close contact with him, even if they have not been found to have the disease at the moment.
