What are Pubic Lice (Crabs)?
Pubic lice, commonly known as crabs or scientifically as pthirus pubis, are minuscule insects that infest coarse body hair. These parasites are typically found in areas such as:
- Pubic hair
- Underarm hair
- Beards
- Chest hair
- Eyelashes
- Eyebrows
It’s important to note that crabs do not inhabit scalp hair.
Female pubic lice lay eggs, called nits, which they firmly attach to the base of hair shafts, close to the skin. These nits hatch after approximately one week, leaving behind noticeable empty egg casings.
Adult crabs have a grayish color and are smaller than head lice. They are classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Therefore, Crabs Diagnosis often prompts further STI screening.
How Do You Get Crabs?
The most frequent method of transmission for pubic lice is through intimate skin-to-skin contact, particularly sexual contact.
However, crabs can also spread through close, non-sexual contact with an infested individual. Examples include:
- Kissing someone with lice in their beard or mustache
- Sharing a bed with an infested person
- Sharing personal items like towels or clothing
Crabs are exclusively human parasites. You cannot contract them from animals or pets.
Symptoms of Crabs: What to Look For
If you suspect you have pubic lice, several symptoms may be present:
- Intense itching in the genital area or around the anus, often worsening at night when crabs are most active. This is a primary symptom that prompts a crabs diagnosis.
- Small blue spots may appear on the skin around the genitals due to lice bites.
- Blood spots or dark, gritty specks might be visible in your underwear, indicating louse excrement.
- Visible lice or tiny nits (eggs) attached to pubic hair. Careful inspection can reveal these signs, aiding in self-crabs diagnosis.
Pubic lice feed on human blood, and their saliva is irritating to the skin, causing the characteristic intense itching. They live on the surface of the skin and do not burrow beneath it.
Crabs Diagnosis: How is it Done?
A healthcare professional can perform a crabs diagnosis through a visual examination of the affected areas. Identifying live lice, eggs, or empty nits confirms the infestation. Dark specks of louse feces or bluish skin discoloration on the torso or thighs can also support the diagnosis.
In some cases, a doctor might use adhesive tape to collect lice from the infested area for microscopic examination, further aiding in crabs diagnosis.
Upon receiving a crabs diagnosis, it is strongly recommended to undergo testing for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well.
When to See a Doctor for Crabs
Consult a doctor or visit a sexual health clinic if:
- You suspect you might have pubic lice based on the symptoms.
- You have had sexual contact with someone confirmed to have crabs.
- You develop a skin infection due to scratching the affected area. Persistent scratching can lead to secondary infections requiring medical attention.
Crabs Treatment Options
Crabs treatment typically involves prescription creams or lotions. Depending on the extent of the infestation, your doctor will advise on application – either to the affected area alone or to the entire body.
A thorough body check for lice is crucial, and assistance from another person may be helpful to ensure no areas are missed during treatment.
Crabs treatment products do not kill unhatched eggs. Therefore, a second application is necessary, usually 1-2 weeks after the initial treatment, to eliminate newly hatched lice and ensure complete eradication.
For eyelash infestation, a specialized prescription ointment is required, usually applied twice daily for eight days. Consultation with an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) may be necessary in such cases.
Antihistamines can alleviate itching, which may persist for a few days post-treatment.
Shaving pubic hair or physically removing eggs is not a required part of crabs treatment.
In addition to using prescribed medications, the following steps are crucial for effective crabs treatment and preventing re-infestation:
- Inform all sexual partners from the past month so they can also seek crabs diagnosis and treatment if needed.
- Abstain from sexual contact for seven days after treatment completion or until all symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.
- Thoroughly wash all bed linens and underwear in hot water (at least 60°C) and dry them in a hot dryer. For items that cannot be washed, dry cleaning or sealing them in a plastic bag for 14 days will effectively kill any lice.
Simultaneous treatment of current sexual partners and household members is essential to prevent re-infestation and control the spread of crabs.
Preventing the Spread of Crabs
To minimize the risk of spreading pubic lice:
- Avoid sharing bedding, towels, and clothing until treatment is complete and successful.
- Refrain from sexual contact until treatment has been effective and you are free of lice.
- Ensure all sexual partners are informed, tested, and treated to prevent re-infestation and further transmission.
It’s important to understand that condoms do not provide protection against pubic lice as crabs are spread through skin-to-skin contact in areas not covered by a condom.
Pubic lice cannot survive for more than 24 hours away from a human host. Therefore, treating carpets or using insecticide sprays in living spaces is unnecessary.
Crabs and Infectious Diseases
Pubic lice are not known to transmit any other infectious diseases. However, persistent scratching can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections, highlighting the importance of prompt crabs diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications.
Resources and Support
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services. ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
