How to tell if you have pubic lice and what are the symptoms

Pubic lice are a common parasitic infection that often lives in the area between the pubic area and the anus. You can learn more about some of the obvious symptoms of pubic lice. For example, rashes and spots may appear at the affected area, so you should pay more attention to it.

1. Skin rash

There are often microscopic holes (invisible to the naked eye) at the site of pubic lice bites, local redness, small red spots, and blood scabs on them; after about 5 days, an allergic reaction occurs locally at the microscopic holes, and raised papules often appear. Infection often occurs due to scratching, with pustules, exudate, and crusting.

2. Blue-gray spots

Blue-gray spots of 0.2 to 2 cm in size can be seen near the affected area. They are painless and itchy, do not fade when pressed, and can last for several months. These blue-gray spots can also be seen on the chest, abdomen, inner thigh, etc. The cause of these blue-gray spots is still unclear, but it may be related to the saliva entering the blood during pubic lice bites.

3. Itching

Itching is the main symptom, but the degree of itching varies from person to person. Itching is caused by pubic lice using their claws to pierce or puncture the skin, and itching occurs when the lice bite and inject saliva. Pubic lice inject saliva when sucking blood because saliva can prevent blood from clotting, which facilitates blood sucking. Pubic lice suck blood several times a day, so the itching is paroxysmal.

4. Insects or insect eggs

Pubic lice are tiny insects that can be found at the roots of hair follicles. They are light black, grayish white, or red (full of blood). Some patients can directly find small granular worm eggs.