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What are they?
Scabies (itch mites) and public lice, often called crabs, are
tiny insects that live on the skin. They are often, but not always,
spread sexually. You can also pick them up by using the bed linen,
clothes or towels of an infected person.
Scabies, an
itchy rash, is caused when a female mite burrows into a person's
skin to lay her eggs.
Pubic lice
infect hairy parts of the body, especially around the groin and
under the arms. Their eggs can be seen on the hair close to the
skin, where they hatch in six to eight days.
Both scabies
and pubic lice are treated by special creams, lotions, or shampoos
which you can buy in a drug store. You might have to apply them
more than once. Follow the directions carefully.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Scabies Mainly itching, especially at night. A rash usually appears
in skin folds, between fingers or on wrists, elbows, abdomen and
around the genitals.
Pubic Lice
You may not have symptoms, although an itch might occur around
the genitals. Light brown insects the size of a pin head can often
be seen moving on the skin. Oval- shaped eggs attach firmly to
the hairs.
What can they do to me?
Scratching may cause an infection requiring medical attention.
Itching can persist for some time after treatment.
Can I prevent them from
spreading?
Avoid close body contact with others if you have scabies or pubic
lice. Get treatment to avoid passing them to others.
Wash clothes
and bed linen in hot water or dry-clean or press them with a very
hot iron. Freezing clothes, fabrics and blankets or storing them
for two-week periods will destroy insects and eggs.
If you have
scabies or pubic lice, be sure to tell your sex partners. Anyone
with whom you have had close contact or who has shared your bed
linen, clothes or towels should be treated, even if they don't
have an itch or rash.
Used with permission from Health and Welfare Canada.
If in doubt, get checked out!
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