Warning:

This document is being maintained for historical purposes, but is now out of date. To view current guidelines please visit:

• STD Treatment Guidelines   at http://www.cdc.gov/STD/treatment

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1993 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines

09/24/1993

SUGGESTED CITATION
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1993 Sexually
transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. MMWR 1993;42(No. RR-14):
{inclusive page numbers}.

CIO Responsible for this publication:
National Center for Prevention Services,
Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV Prevention

Pediculosis Pubis
     
     Patients with pediculosis pubis (pubic lice) usually seek
medical attention because of pruritus. Commonly, they also notice
lice on pubic hair.

Recommended Regimens -
     Lindane 1% shampoo applied for 4 minutes and then thoroughly
     washed off (not recommended for pregnant or lactating women or for
     children less than 2 years of age)
                              or
     Permethrin 1% creme rinse applied to affected areas and washed
     off after 10 minutes
                              or
     Pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide applied to the affected
     area and washed off after 10 minutes.

     The lindane regimen remains the least expensive therapy;
toxicity (as indicated by seizure and aplastic anemia) has not been
reported when treatment is limited to the recommended 4-minute
period. Permethrin has less potential for toxicity in the event of
inappropriate use.

Other Management Considerations
     The recommended regimens should not be applied to the eyes.
Pediculosis of the eyelashes should be treated by applying
occlusive ophthalmic ointment to the eyelid margins two times a day
for 10 days.

     Bedding and clothing should be decontaminated (machine washed
or machine dried using heat cycle or dry-cleaned) or removed from
body contact for at least 72 hours. Fumigation of living areas is
not necessary.

Follow-Up
     Patients should be evaluated after 1 week if symptoms persist.
Re-treatment may be necessary if lice are found or if eggs are
observed at the hair-skin junction. Patients who are not responding
to one of the recommended regimens should be retreated with an
alternative regimen.

Management of Sex Partners
     Sex partners within the last month should be treated.

Special Considerations

Pregnancy -
     Pregnant and lactating women should be treated with permethrin
or pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide.

HIV Infection -
     Persons with HIV infection and pediculosis pubis should
receive the same treatment as those without HIV infection.

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