Have you ever felt an unusual itching around your private area and thought it was just heat rash or an infection?
Sometimes, that itching might actually be caused by tiny insects called pubic lice. These small parasites live in coarse body hair, especially around the genitals, and feed on blood.
They’re not caused by poor hygiene, and they’re not the same as dandruff or ringworm. In fact, many people in Nigeria mistake them for “crawling rashes” or “infection from the toilet,” but that’s not always the case.
So if it’s not dirt or toilet seats, how do people really get pubic lice?
Let’s talk about it.
Can You Really Get Pubic Lice During Sex?
So to answer the question, yes, you can, and that’s actually the most common way people get pubic lice.
These insects don’t fly or jump; they crawl from one person’s body hair to another during close skin-to-skin contact, especially during sex.
Condoms don’t protect against them because the lice live in hair, not in body fluids. So even when you use protection, they can still move from one person to another if your bodies come into close contact.
Here’s how it happens:
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The lice grip onto coarse hair around the genitals, underarms, or even the chest.
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During sex or any close physical contact, they crawl from one person to the next.
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They move fast, but only across hair or skin, not through the air.
This is why they’re often grouped with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) even though they’re technically parasites, not infections.
Other Ways Pubic Lice Spread
Sex may be the main way, but it’s not the only way. Pubic lice can also spread through items or environments where they’ve been recently shed, though this happens less often.
Here’s what to know:
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Shared towels, underwear, or bedsheets: If someone with pubic lice uses these and another person uses them soon after, the lice can crawl onto the new host.
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Unwashed or reused clothing: Especially in places where clothes are hung or stored together.
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Crowded or shared living spaces: Like hostels, student lodges, or poorly maintained hotels.
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Toilet seats or casual contact: This is very rare because pubic lice can’t survive long once they’re off the human body. Once they fall off the skin, they usually die within one to two days. That’s why casual contact like shaking hands, hugging, or sitting on a toilet seat won’t give you lice.
How to Know If You Have Pubic Lice
The first sign most people notice is serious itching around the private area, especially at night.
That’s because the lice are more active when it’s dark and quiet. But itching alone doesn’t confirm it.
Here are other signs to look out for:
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Persistent itching or irritation in the genital region, thighs, or lower abdomen.
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Tiny blue or red bite marks on the skin from lice feeding.
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Small white or yellowish eggs (nits) stuck to the base of pubic hairs; they can look like dandruff but don’t brush off easily.
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Tiny grayish insects that move when you look closely, sometimes seen with a magnifying glass or flashlight.
It can spread to other hairy areas like the armpits, beard, chest, or even eyelashes in severe cases.
Because these symptoms can look like other skin issues (such as yeast infection, eczema, or a fungal rash), it’s best to get checked rather than self-diagnose.
Treatment: How to Get Rid of Pubic Lice
Here’s how:
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Use medicated lotions or shampoos: Products containing permethrin or malathion are the most effective. They’re available at pharmacies, and you usually apply them to the affected area for a set time before rinsing off.
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Treat all affected areas: If lice are found in other body hair (like armpits or beard), those areas should be treated too.
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Wash everything in hot water: Clothes, underwear, beddings, and towels should be washed in hot water (at least 50°C) and dried with high heat. Items that can’t be washed can be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.
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Avoid sexual contact until cleared: Even one untreated encounter can cause reinfection.
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Treat your partner(s): Anyone you’ve had close contact with recently should also be treated, even if they don’t have symptoms yet.
If itching or irritation continues after treatment, it may mean some eggs survived, or you’re reacting to the medication. A follow-up visit to a doctor or pharmacist will help determine the next step.
When to See a Doctor
Most cases of pubic lice clear up with proper treatment at home, but sometimes it’s best to see a doctor, especially if things don’t improve quickly.
You should visit a clinic or sexual health centre if:
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The itching continues even after using the treatment correctly.
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You notice swelling, wounds, or pus, which may mean a skin infection from scratching.
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You have other symptoms, like unusual discharge, sores, or burning during urination, since pubic lice can appear alongside sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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You’re not sure what’s causing the itching and need a proper diagnosis.
A doctor can confirm if it’s really lice, rule out other infections, and recommend a stronger prescription cream if necessary.
Prevention Tips
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Don’t share personal items like towels, underwear, or bedsheets, especially in hostels, lodges, or shared apartments.
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Wash your bedding regularly in hot water and dry it properly in the sun.
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Check yourself and your partner(s) if either of you has been feeling unusually itchy down there.
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Keep body hair clean and trimmed (though shaving alone won’t prevent lice).
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Practice safe sex and open communication, talk about sexual health just as freely as you’d discuss any other part of your wellbeing.
And remember, getting pubic lice doesn’t mean you’re “dirty” or reckless. It’s simply a skin condition that can happen to anyone who’s sexually active or shares close spaces.
Conclusion
Pubic lice isn’t something anyone likes to talk about, but pretending it doesn’t exist doesn’t make it go away.
The earlier you notice and treat it, the faster you can move on.
So tell me, have you ever heard about pubic lice before reading this? Or do you know someone who’s ever mistaken it for something else?
Share below.
Researched by Victoria Odueso
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