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Pubic lice, better known as crabs, is a sexually transmitted disease that is spread through direct contact. This page gives information on what crabs are, how they are spread, and how to treat them.
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Getting Rid of Crabs Tips
- Pubic lice are also called "crabs."
- Crabs are usually spread through sexual contact.
- Crabs can be a sign of sexual abuse in children.
- Condoms do not protect against crabs.
- It is highly unlikely that crabs can be contracted from toilet seats.
- Crabs can be treated using medications sold over the counter.
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Introduction
- Crabs (Pthirus pubis), also known as crab lice or pubic lice, are parasites that are usually found on hair in the genital area. However, they can be found on other coarse body hair such as hair on the legs, armpits and face.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice They are very small, only about 0.08 to 0.12 inches (2 to 3 millimeters) long. They get their name because they look similar to a crab under a microscope. Pubic lice are not the same as head and body lice. They have a more rounded body and the female has a shorter lifespan and produces fewer eggs per day.eMedicineHealth.com: Head Lice, Body Lice and Public Lice (Crabs)
- For information on body and head lice, check out Mahalo's how to get rid of lice.
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Symptoms of Crabs
- Symptoms of pubic lice which, according to eMedicineHealth, may be more intense at night, include:eMedicineHealth.com: Head Lice, Body Lice and Public Lice (Crabs)
- Intense itching in the pubic area is cited as a major symptom by the Mayo Clinic.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs)
- The Mayo Clinic also advises to look for visible lice and nits (lice eggs) on pubic hair, upper thighs, stomach, chest and beard.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs)
- In children, the Mayo Clinic advises that lice may infest the eyelashes.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs) WebMD further warns that this can cause the edges of the eyelids to become crusted.WebMD: Lice - Topic Overview
- According to the CDC, pubic lice do not usually infest hair on the head (only the face).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Factsheet
- Nits can be mistaken for dandruff but are not easily brushed out of the hair, according to the Mayo Clinic.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs)
- The Mayo Clinic advises you to check for Small red bumps and lesions in the genital area from bites.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs)
- According to eMedicineHealth, a bluish colored sore that looks like a small bruise may develop in the area after the bite.eMedicineHealth.com: Head Lice, Body Lice and Public Lice (Crabs) WebMD: Lice - Topic Overview
- Sores and secondary bacterial infections can also be caused by scratching, according to the CDC.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Disease
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How Crabs are Spread
- Pubic lice are usually transmitted through direct sexual contact.
- According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), pubic lice found on children may be a sign of sexual exposure or abuse.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Epidemiology & Risk Factors However, eMedicineHealth states that children can become infected nonsexually through general contact with their parents.eMedicineHealth.com: Head Lice, Body Lice and Public Lice (Crabs)
- According to eMedicine Health, condoms do not prevent transmission of pubic lice.eMedicineHealth.com: Head Lice, Body Lice and Public Lice (Crabs)
- There is some debate over whether or not crabs can be spread by toilet seats. Medlineplus says it can occur while eMedicineHealth says that it cannot.MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Pubic Lice eMedicineHealth.com: Head Lice, Body Lice and Public Lice (Crabs) According to the CDC, it is extremely rare because lice cannot live long away from a warm human body and they do not have feet designed to hold onto or walk on smooth surfaces such as toilet seats."Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Factsheet
- Animals do not get or spread pubic lice.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Factsheet
- Pubic lice can be spread by contact with clothing, bed linens and towels that were used by an infested person, according to the CDC.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Factsheet However, this is doubted by some according to eMedicineHealth.eMedicineHealth.com: Head Lice, Body Lice and Public Lice (Crabs)
- The CDC advises that anyone infested with pubic lice should be examined for signs of other sexually transmitted diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Factsheet
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Treatment of Crabs
- According to the Mayo Clinic, the first line of treatment for crabs should be either permethrin or pyrethrin.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs): Treatments and Drugs These are the chemicals that are found in over the counter remedies.
- Pyrethrins are found in products such as A-200, Pronto, R&C, Rid, and Triple X and usually combined with piperonyl butoxide. According to the CDC, pyrethrins should not be used by anyone who is allergic to chrysanthemums or ragweed.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Head Lice: Treatment
- Permethrin is found in Nix.
- Pyrethrins and Permethrin will only kill live lice. So, a second treatment is required nine to ten days later to kill any newly hatched eggs.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Head Lice: Treatment
- If nonprescription products are unsuccessful, consult with your doctor about getting a prescription for a stronger shampoo or lotion.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs): Treatments and Drugs
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How to Apply Lice Medication
- Wash infested area and towel dry.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Treatment
- Apply the product according to instructions.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs): Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Rinse off medication with water.
- Remaining nits can be removed with your fingernails, a nit comb or tweezers.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs): Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Dry with a clean towel and put on clean clothes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Treatment
- Retreat in seven to ten days if lice are found.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Treatment
- Note: Never use lice medications near the eyes, such as on the eyelashes or eyebrows. Instead, remove nits with your fingernails or a nit comb. If additional treatment is necessary, an ophthalmic-grade petrolatum ointment is available by prescription. Do not use regular Vaseline because it can irritate the eyes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Treatment
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When to See a Doctor
- If over the counter remedies are not effective, your doctor may prescribe medication. Doctors may also prescribe antibiotics to treat any skin infections.WebMD: Lice Medications Examples of medications that are commonly prescribed to treat lice include:
- Malathion (Ovide) is a lotion that is left on the hair for up to 12 hours before rinsing. It is flammable and should be used carefully.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs): Treatments and Drugs
- Lindane (Kwell, G-Well) comes as either a cream, lotion or a shampoo.MayoClinic.com: Head Lice: Treatments and Drugs It is used when other products fail.MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs): Treatment
- Ivermectin (Stromectol) is a pill that may be prescribed when someone does not respond to other topical treatments or to treat pubic lice on children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.WebMD: Lice Medications MayoClinic.com: Pubic Lice (Crabs): Treatments and Drugs
- Permethrin cream (Elimite) is applied to the skin and left for eight to 14 hours before rinsing.WebMD: Lice Medications
- Precipitated sulfur is not as effective as other medications but may be used to treat young children and women who are pregnant or nursing.WebMD: Lice Medications
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Supplemental Measures
- No matter what medication you use to get rid of lice, you will need to take some other measure to ensure that you are not reinfested. This includes:
- Check all members of the household. Anyone who shows evidence of lice or nits should be treated.New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: How to Get Rid of Lice and Nits in the Hair and Scalp
- Inform any sexual partners that they are at risk.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Treatment
- Do not have sex until treatment is complete.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Treatment
- Do not have sex with any infected partners until his or her treatment is complete.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lice: Pubic "Crab" Lice: Treatment
- Wash bedding, clothing, hats and similar items in hot (at least 130 degrees F) soapy water and dry at high heat for at least 20 minutes.MayoClinic.com: Head Lice: Head Lice: Lifestyle and Home Remedies Note: Most water heaters are set at 120 degrees F for child safety.eMedicineHealth.com: Head Lice, Body Lice and Public Lice (Crabs)
- Seal any unwashable items in an airtight plastic bag for seven to ten days.
- Vacuum floor and furniture. Discard the vacuum bag immediately.eMedicineHealth.com: Head Lice, Body Lice and Public Lice (Crabs)
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Conclusion
- Anyone who has contracted crabs should be examined by a physician to ensure that they are not at risk for other sexually transmitted diseases. Luckily, crabs is an STD that can be treated. Other, more serious, diseases cannot.
