[ Pubic Lice or Crabs ]

What are Pubic Lice or Crabs?

Pubic lice are parasites. Also referred to as crabs, these very small insects get nourishment form the host, or person they infect. They need blood to survive, and infest the pubic hair of the host. They are usually spread through sexual, skin-to-skin contact, but there are cases of contagion through infested towels, bedding or clothing, or from a toilet seat harboring the insects. An estimated 3 million cases are treated every year in the United States.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of crabs is itching in the pubic area. They spread by scratching. Contaminated hands and fingers transfer the lice to other parts of the body, like armpits, eyelashes, facial hair and even in the hair on your head.

Treatment

Shampoos and lotions that will kill the crabs are available by prescription, or can be found over the counter. Creams and shampoos containing lindane, (also known as kwell) are powerful pesticides. Kwell should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, and a physician’s recommendations should be followed carefully for infants and small children. Another alternative is a cream rinse, permethrin. It is important to apply the treatment for the entire recommended time because the eggs may live up to six days. Some itching may persist after the lice have been eradicated because of skin irritation. You can use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion for relief.

All sex partners, family, close friends, and persons who have come into close contact with the infected person should be treated to assure the crabs have been exterminated. All bedding and clothing should be dry cleaned or washed in very hot water (125° F), dried at a high setting, and ironed. The lice die within 24 hours without a host, but the eggs can live for six days.

Testing

You can see the lice yourself because they are visible to the naked eye. They are the size of a pinhead, oval, and grayish, but they may appear reddish-brown when full of blood. The white eggs, called nits, can also be seen attached to the base of the hair.