Transmission of the crab louse Phthirus pubis generally occurs by close body contact. Diagnosis is usually clinical and screening for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is indicated. While most evidence is extrapolated from studies of head lice treatments, topical pediculicides are recommended and treatment of sexual contacts is indicated.
ChosidowO. Scabies and pediculosis.Lancet2000; 355: 819–26
2.
MeinkingTL, TaplinD, KalterDC, EberleMW. Comparative efficacy of treatments for pediculosis capitis infestation.Arch Dermatol1986; 122: 267–71
3.
NguyenVX, RobertP. Treatment of head lice.N Engl J Med1997; 336: 734–5
4.
ChosidowO, ChastangC, BrueC. Controlled trial of malathion and d-phenothrin lotions for Pediculus humanus var capitis-infested schoolchildren.Lancet1994; 344: 1724–7
5.
ChosidowO, GiraudeauB, CottrellJ. Oral ivermectin versus malathion lotion for difficult to treat head lice.N Engl J Med2010; 362: 896–905
6.
MeinkingTL, VicariaM, EyerdamDH. Efficacy of a reduced application time of Ovide lotion (0.5% malathion) compared to Nix creme rinse (1% permethrin) for the treatment of head lice.Pediatr Dermatol2004; 21: 670–4
7.
MeinkingTL, VicariaM, EyerdamDH. A randomized investigator-blinded, time-ranging study of the comparative efficacy of 0.5% malathion gel versus Ovide Lotion (0.5% malathion) or Nix Crème Rinse (1% permethrin) used as labeled, for the treatment of head lice.Pediatr Dermatol2007; 24: 405–1
8.
SpeareR, KoehlerJM. A case of pubic lice resistant to Pyrethrins.Aust Earn Physician2001; 30: 572–4
9.
IzriA, ChosidowO. Efficacy of machine laundering to eradicate head lice: recommendations to decontaminate washable clothes, linens, and fomites.Clin Infect Dis2006; 42: e9–10
10.
MyttonOT, McGreadyR, LeeSJ. Safety of benzyl benzoate lotion and permethrin in pregnancy: a retrospective matched cohort study.Br J Obstet Gynecol2007; 114: 582–7
