Crabs
Pubic lice (often called ‘crabs’) is both caused by tiny parasites that live in the skin of an infected person. They are easy to pass on during sex.
Symptoms
Although some people may not notice anything most people with pubic lice notice itching a few weeks after infection.
Pubic lice live in hair around the genital area, in underarm, chest and leg hair and sometimes in eyebrows of facial hair (but not on the head). You may see the adults on hairs; small crab-like insects as big as a pin head, with eggs the size of a full-stop.
How it is transmitted
Parasites are passed on during skin to skin contact during sex. They might also be spread on bedding, clothes and towels but this isn’t common.
What can I do if I think I have pubic lice?
As the treatments can be bought without prescription from a chemist many people don’t go to their doctor or sexual health clinic if they catch pubic lice.
Testing
There is no test for crabs.
Treatment
Treatment for pubic lice is easy, cheap and can be done at home. Lotions on sale in chemists are applied to the whole of the body (but not above the neck) and left on for 24 hours before washing off.
If treatment doesn’t work consult a doctor or clinic. After treatment for see a doctor or clinic if you still itch after two weeks.
Shaving off body hair will not get rid of public lice.
Why get treated?
Crabs are harmless but the longer they go untreated the more chance others will be infected.
Protecting yourself and others
There’s nothing a person can do to stop themselves getting pubic lice but their spread can be reduced by:
- making sure people you’ve had sex with or shared bedding, towels or clothes also get treated
- washing clothing, bedding and towels on a hot wash to kill the parasites and their eggs
- leather clothing should be dry cleaned
The more sexual partners you have, the more likely you are to have sex with someone with pubic lice or another infection. Reducing your numbers of partners, using condoms and having sexual health check-ups all lower the risk of infections being picked up or passed on. If you’re starting a relationship a sexual health check-up is a good idea, especially if you’re thinking of not using condoms.
This article was last reviewed on: 21/10/11
Date due for next review: 21/10/13
