Thunder Bay District Health Unit : Crabs/Pubic Lice, Scabies, Trichomoniasis

Tiny, crab-like insects that live in pubic hair. They bury their heads into the skin and live off human blood and lay their eggs near the base of the pubic hair.
They can be spread through skin to skin contact. They can crawl from person to person, live for up to two days in beddings, towels, and other clothes.

Symptoms:

Irritation, inflammation, redness on the skin, as well as small blue patches where the lice has bitten.
Fine black particles (actually lice poop) in the infected person's underwear.

Prevention and Treatment:

Don't share towels and clothes that has not been washed.
When trying on underwear or a bathing suit from a store, always were something underneath.
To get rid of pubic lice, use non-prescription shampoo that can be bought at any pharmacy, clinic, or doctor's office. Use a fine tooth comb or your own fingernails to scrape off the eggs in the hairs. Wash all your clothes, beddings, and any other items in hot water. Items that can't be washed should be vacuumed.

Any other questions or for more information talk to a nurse at the Sexual Health Clinic.

Parasitic mites that dig holes under the surface of the skin and lay eggs. When the eggs hatch, it moves to a new area of the body and spread the infection.
It is often found in warm areas like te folds of skin on the elbows, wrists, buttocks, knees, shoulder blades, breasts, waists, and penis.
It is spread through close contact with someone who is infected. It can also be transmitted through sharing of clothes, towels, or beddings with someone who is infected.

Symptoms:

Symptoms can include intense itchiness, reddish-coloured rash in some parts or throughout your body. These symptoms can become severe with people with compromised immune system, with their skin becoming scaly or crusty.

Prevention and Treatment:

Don't share unwashed towels and clothing.
If you are trying out bathing suits from a store, wear something underneath while trying things on.
Treatments include a special lotion that your local doctor can prescribe and applied to your entire body. Washing clothes, towels, beddings, and any other items that could possibly be contaminated in hot water will kill the parasitic mites. Items that cannot be washed should be vaccumed.

Any other questions or for more information talk to a nurse at the Sexual Health Clinic.

It is caused by microscopic parasites called Trichomonas vaginalis. It can infect the vagina, urethra, bladder, or cervix of women as well as the urethra and foreskin of uncircumsized men.
It is spread through sexual contact with an infected person.

Symptoms:

Many people will not have symptoms of this infection. Symptoms for women can include abnormal vaginal discharge and odour, , pain during intercourse, burning when urinating, and irritation or itchiness of the vagina. For men, it may include abnormal discharge, irritation or redness at the top of the penis, and burning when urinating.

Testing and Treatment: