Itchy penis and pubic lice: to shave or not to shave?

There are many things that come with having a penis, and unfortunately the occasional itchy penis is one of them. While having to scratch from time to time isn’t a big deal, it can get annoying, bothersome, and downright embarrassing when the itch becomes chronic, as is often the case when the cause of that itch is the dreaded pubic lice. Paying more attention to the health of the penis can help decrease the chance of getting pubic lice. But even so, accidents can happen, and a man must be prepared to know how to deal with these unwanted visitors.

So what are pubic lice?

Most adults can remember “lice scares” in their schools, incidents in which a child brought lice to school, which spread from one student to another. Public lice are related to head lice, but luckily they don’t spread as easily.

More commonly known as crabs (because of their crab-like appearance), pubic lice are small, usually less than one-tenth of an inch. They are parasites that usually live on the snout, although they can occasionally be found on other hairy parts of the body, such as the armpits or chest. These tiny bugs are harmless in the sense that they don’t carry disease, but once they enter the skin and start feeding, they produce a hard-to-resist urge to scratch.

Most of the time, public lice are spread through skin-to-skin contact during sex; more rarely, they can be picked up from an infected person’s sheets or towels. Since lice tend to collect in pubic hair rather than on the shaft of the penis, using a condom is usually not effective in preventing the spread of pubic lice.

shaved off

Since lice tend to make their home in pubic hair, it has often been assumed that shaving the penile area is a good way to rid the body of these pests. The theory is that the act of shaving will often remove the lice, and the absence of a warm, furry place to hide will make it easier to detect and remove any lingering invaders.

But that’s not really a correct assumption. While it is true that the razor can get rid of some of these crabs, it only catches a small percentage of them. Many more remain on the skin, and because they are so small, it is difficult to find them with the naked eye.

So does that mean a man shouldn’t shave? No problem. While shaving your crotch may not cure penile itching caused by pubic lice, it makes the area more inhospitable to them and also makes it easier for a doctor to spot them under a magnifying glass. Also, the absence of a thick bush of hair makes it easier to apply products that can be helpful in getting rid of pests.

After shave

Once the area has been shaved, it is more receptive to medications that can kill pubic lice. Although there are over-the-counter medications that work well, it is advisable to consult a doctor first to determine the most effective course of action to take.

Pubic lice are more of a nuisance than anything else, but an itchy penis can cause a man embarrassment and be bad for his self-esteem. The urge to scratch can be lessened by regular use of a superior penis health cream. (Health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven to be gentle and safe on the skin.) Well-moisturized penile skin is less likely to be itchy, so using a cream with a combination of excellent moisturizers (such as shea butter and vitamin E) is highly recommended. Also, make sure that the cream is equipped to keep the skin of the penis in good health in general; a cream with alpha lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and the resulting oxidative stress, may be especially beneficial.