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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffYou can get rid of pubic lice with a patient, thorough approach that involves cleaning yourself and any personal belongings that may be contaminated.
These steps may help you eliminate lice infestations:
- Use lotions and shampoos. Choose from among several over-the-counter lotions and shampoos (Nix, Rid, others) designed to kill lice. Apply the product according to instructions. You may need to repeat treatment in seven to 10 days.
- Wash contaminated items. Wash bedding, clothing and towels used in the two days prior to treatment with hot, soapy water — at least 130 F (54 C) — and dry them at high heat for at least 20 minutes.
- Dry-clean or seal unwashable items. If you can't wash an item, have it dry-cleaned or place it in an airtight bag for two weeks.
References
- Goldstein AO, et al. Pediculosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 9, 2010.
- Pubic "crab" lice: Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/lice/pubic/factsheet.html. Accessed April 9, 2010.
- Diaz JH. Crab lice (Pediculosis pubis). In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00293-9--s0015&uniq=194092956&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&sid=980699335#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00293-9--s0035%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-443-06839-3. Accessed April 9, 2010.
- Habif TP. Pediculosis: Clinical manifestations. In: Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00024-9--s0235&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00024-9--s0240&uniq=194092956&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=980720410. Accessed April 9, 2010.
- Pubic "crab" lice: Treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://cdc.gov/lice/pubic/treatment.html. Accessed April 9, 2010.
- Pubic "crab" lice: Prevention and control. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://cdc.gov/lice/pubic/prevent.html. Accessed April 9, 2010.
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