Dispensary Corner 08 Jul 13
July 8, 2013
A SINGLE episode of US TV show
Sex and the City has contributed
to the possible extinction of a
species, according to a paper
which will be presented this
week to the British Association of
Dermatologists conference.
According to a UK study,
there’s been a massive decline
in prevalence of Pthirus pubis,
otherwise known as the pubic
louse, since the TV show included
a segment on Brazilian waxing
which has threatened the pest
“due to the disappearance of their
natural habitat”.
“The pubic louse has infested
humans for thousands of years,
with archaeologists discovering
specimens in the UK as far back
as the first century AD,” according
to a media statement from the
dermatologists’ association.
However from 1997 to 2003
figures show a steep reduction
in prevalence, from about 0.41%
to just 0.17% - which coincides
with the Sex and the City episode
which was first shown in 2000.
“Pubic hair removal has been
practised by humans from all over
the world, including the Ancient
Egyptians,” said Dr Kun Sen Chen,
one of the presentation’s authors.
“However until recently with
the rise of truly global mass
media, public lice have been able
to weather changing cultural
attitudes to body hair.
“What we have seen at
work is the law of unintended
consequences: in popularising
hair removal Carrie Bradshaw
and co. have contributed to
ridding humanity of a pest that
had plagued plagued humans for
millions of years.
“Sadly, there isn’t an Emmy for
that,” Dr Chen added.
However pharmacists have also
come in for some of the potential
glory, with the presentation
noting other factors including the
reluctance of patients to seek
medical attention leading to selftreatment
with newly available
OTC insecticidal products.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 08 Jul 13To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 08 Jul 13
