The lice can survive for up to 24 hours on clothing and other items that have been in close contact with an infested person. The pesky lice inject a substance that produces an allergic reaction on your skin, which causes you to itch. Your skin may also look red and blotchy, but that's probably because you've been scratching too much. It's hard not to scratch, but try to avoid doing so. Scratching can create sores in your genital area that might get infected, and you may spread the lice to other hairy part of the body by scratching the pubic region and then touching your eyebrows or armpits.
Pubic lice are smaller and have more compact, crablike bodies than head or body lice.
They're also typically found in the pubic area, while head lice live on the scalp and body lice on the shoulders, trunk, and buttocks. Fortunately, the cure is relatively easy and inexpensive. For years the recommended remedy was a shampoo containing lindane, but because the insecticide is highly toxic and lice are showing resistance to it, this is no longer the treatment of choice. Instead, look for permethrin or pyrethrum extracts, which are sold under such brand names as RID, Nix, and A-200. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a remedy, and be careful to follow the product guidelines.