Whether walking down the street or on a hot date with a partner he wants to impress, an itchy penis is an inconvenience for any man. That insistent need to scratch can be embarrassing and makes a dude seem in serious need of a little chill. What’s even worse is when there is a real penis health issue related to the itchy penis - such as pubic lice. When these little invaders are present, a man wants to be sure to get rid of them as soon as possible.

About lice

Pubic lice are parasites that tend to gather in the pelvic region. They are related to but not the same as head lice or body lice. (And they are not the same as the thousands of other species which, fortunately, affect animals rather than humans.) As the name suggests, head lice are found mainly on the head, usually in the scalp. They very rarely travel to other parts of the body. Body lice, in contrast, are usually found on clothing rather than on the body itself. When the clothing comes in contact with the body, they can cause itching. And if that clothing is in the pelvic area, body lice can create an itchy penis.

But the vast majority of the time, when lice are causing an itchy penis, it’s due to pubic lice.

Pubic lice

Pubic lice are colloquially known as crabs. That’s because, if using a magnifying glass or microscope to see them (they’re only 1-2 mm long), they do resemble crabs. They like hairy places and tend to either attach themselves on pubic hairs or on the skin near or attached to such hairs.

Unfortunately, pubic lice are very common, with about 3,000,000 cases every year in the United States. On the plus side, while they are uncomfortable and undesirable, pubic lice are not dangerous.

There are three phases to pubic lice:

1) The egg (or nit), which is oval shaped, yellowish or white, and attaches to pubic hair. Nits hatch in about 6-10 days.

2) The nymph. This early stage of the louse matures in 2-3 weeks. Its diet is blood, which it gets from its host.

3) The adult. Usually tan or greyish white, the adult also feeds on blood. Without a host, an adult louse dies within a couple of days.

As mentioned, pubic lice don’t spread disease, but they do itch like mad. Often a man can scratch so much that he damages his skin, which can in turn lead to an infection.

Spread through contact

Pubic lice are spread through contact, most often sexual. When a person has sex with a person with lice, some lice or eggs may get transferred to the partner from skin rubbing against skin. However, sometimes a person contracts pubic lice from other sources, such as bedsheets, towels, or clothing.

Treatment

Men with an itchy penis due to pubic lice should consult a doctor for treatment recommendations. Special shampoos and medications are typically recommended for killing existing lice on the body. Nits can be resistant to medication and may need to be removed manually. In addition, it is usually necessary to take steps to remove lice which may have fallen off. Thoroughly washing bedsheets, clothing, and towels is necessary; items which cannot be machine washed may need to be dry cleaned.

Pubic lice not only cause an itchy penis but can result in damaged penis skin due to scratching. Application of a top drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can help restore damaged penis skin. The best crème will contain a combination of moisturizers, such as a high-end emollient (like Shea butter) and a natural hydrator (like vitamin E). Together, they can rejuvenate damaged skin. To keep free radical damage from vulnerable skin, select a crème that also includes a potent antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid.