My partner recently had a case of pubic lice. By the time he told me he had it, there were several large adults on him. We had not had sexual contact for two weeks. I personally never contracted them, but took precautions and followed the routine anyway. I understand that the normal cause is sexual or close contact with an infected person. He says he has no idea how he contracted the lice, but he offered several possibilities: from me, after I slept with someone else (I didn't); from our daughter, who had just returned from an out-of-state trip; from sitting on the seat of a truck eight hours after a co-worker sat there; from a public toilet seat. Do any of these explanations have any merit? I already have reason to believe he has been unfaithful.

Gail

There are three major forms of lice infestations of humans: head lice (Pediculosis capitis), body lice (Pediculosis corporis) and pubic lice (Phthirus pubis). The main complaint in all forms of lice is itching, although scratching occasionally results in a secondary infection. Head lice, which are transmitted by close contact and the sharing of hats and brushes, are commonly found in schoolchildren but can affect people of any age. Body lice infestations are rare in the United States except in the homeless; they are seen mostly in people living in war zones or poorly developed areas with crowding and poor sanitation. The lice themselves actually reside in the clothing, not on the skin, and can transmit several diseases.

Pubic lice infestation is a common sexually transmitted infection. The lice -- also called crabs because of the crablike appearance of the louse under the microscope -- are typically seen in the pubic hair, but can also be found in the chest, back and underarm hair, as well as the eyelashes and eyebrows. There are a few case reports of this louse infesting head hair, but this is very uncommon.

Not knowing anything else, I would say the most likely explanation is that your partner indeed was unfaithful. Theoretically, he could have picked the lice up from someone else who had it in the chest hair or eyebrows, but that is not too likely. While toilet seats and certainly truck seats would not be likely to transmit lice, use of a towel soon after someone else used it could possibly lead to the transfer these insects. I do not think it likely at all for him to have gotten the infestation from your daughter.

Treatment of lice involves application of a variety of compounds including lindane (G-well) or permethrin (Nix and others.) There are also other choices. Nits (the eggs) can be removed by applying a mild vinegar solution to the area and combing with a fine comb. All sexual partners of an infested person should also be treated, if possible.