If you have pubic lice, you may not have any symptoms. If you do get symptoms, they usually begin 5 days to several weeks after exposure to the pubic lice. You may get an intense itching around the genital area. The itching is because of an allergic reaction to the bites. If you scratch, you could get a skin infection.
Pubic lice is diagnosed by a physical examination of the infested area.
You should get diagnosed by a health care provider because pubic lice can be confused with other itchy skin problems. Pubic lice is treated by special creams, lotions, or shampoos that you can buy in a drug store. A pharmacist can recommend a brand. There are also prescription lice medicines. Treatments may need to be applied more than once.