Addiction Treatment: Public Lice Information - Outpatient Program

Session Eleven of the Outpatient addiction treatment program at The Right Step includes a thorough coverage of information regarding STIs.  The many different topics discussed during your outpatient addiction treatment program are designed to assist you along the path toward achieving positive change in your life.

As you progress through this particular educational Session, experienced, licensed instructors will provide you with information about crab lice, which is also called public lice or simply crabs, due to their resemblance to a crab. 

You will learn that these are one of three kinds of human lice in the large group of lice families, the others being head lice and body lice, which live in clothing. Its scientific name is Phthirus or Phthirius pubis, literally 'pubic louse.'

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment: More about Pubic Lice

The louse feeds on blood and can leave irritating spots on the skin, sometimes mistaken for pimples, a condition called Pediculosis pubis.

Your group drug and alcohol addiction treatment discussion will include treatment information for those who have contracted public lice or “crabs.”  Pubic lice are usually easily killed with a 1% permethrin or pyrethrin lice shampoo, but the pubic hair must be shaved or combed with a fine-toothed comb to remove the nits.

Resistance to these products does occur and is a public health concern. Lice can survive in bedding and clothing, so these items must be treated and sterilized, or contact with them must be avoided for two weeks, after which time any lice will have died.