Scabies / lice
What are scabies and pubic lice?
Scabies and pubic lice are two totally different things. However, because they're both nasty little infestations we'll look at them both on the same page.
Scabies are tiny mites which get into the skin and burrow about. They are unpleasant but the disease isn't too serious.
Pubic lice are often called "crabs" and they like to live and reproduce in hairy parts of the body. Lice aren't too serious either.
What are the symptoms?
Scabies:
- Itchiness, especially around the hands and feet, and worst after a hot bath.
- Appearance of small pimples and signs of burrowing.
Pubic lice:
- Itchiness in the genital area.
- Small eggs in the "hairier areas".
How do you catch it?
Scabies and lice are both passed on by close contact with a carrier. It takes about two minutes of skin to skin contact to pass scabies from one person to another. Pubic lice can pass more quickly. You can get both the conditions without having sex, but sexual contact is probably the most common way the little beasties travel.
How can I protect myself?
There's not a lot you can do about these two, unfortunately. In either case a condom won't help you too much, unless you get one that covers your whole body. (That's no excuse not to use a condom, however, as there are plenty of much more serious infections which can be prevented by using one). The good news is that both conditions can be treated quickly by medicine available at the chemists, so you don't have to see your doctor or go to a clinic. However, if you've picked up scabies or lice, it might be sensible to get a check-up to make sure you haven't caught anything else.