Last Updated on July 29, 2021 by Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
How do you get Pubic Lice/How can you get “Crabs?” Causes:
Pubic lice are sometimes known as “crabs.” The condition is caused by a very tiny parasitic mite that settles in the pubic hair and feeds on human blood.
Crabs are usually spread through sexual contact (and latex barriers – such as condoms – usually do not prevent these as they live in the pubic hair and not the genitals), but they can also be spread through bed linens, towels, or clothes, because lice can live for 24 hours off of the human body.
It is unlikely lice can be spread through toilet seats as their feet are not designed to walk or hold on to smooth surfaces.
How to tell if you have “Crabs?” Pubic Lice Symptoms:
The primary symptom of crabs is unmistakable: severe and constant itching in the pubic area, within about 5 days of infection. Some people also get blue spots where they were bitten. Scratching the itchy areas may spread the lice to other parts of the body that course body hair, such as the legs, armpits, mustache or beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes.
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How to know if you have “Crabs?” Pubic Lice Tests:
Pubic lice can be self-diagnosed, but not easily, as pubic lice can be confused with other sorts of mites. A doctor can best diagnose with a skin sample and a microscope.
Relief spells (Rolaids?!) “Crabs” Treatment:
Lotions and shampoos that will kill lice are available from a doctor or a pharmacy. Anything that might have lice on it will also need to be cleaned: dirty clothes, bed linens, towels, and the like need to be washed in very hot water.
If something can’t be washed, it needs to be put in a plastic bag for two weeks to kill the lice and keep them from hopping onto another body in the meantime.
Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone creams can relieve itching.
What’s going to happen to me?!!?! Pubic Lice Expectations:
It’s common to still be itchy for a bit after treatment.
Things to be aware of… Complications:
Pubic lice do not cause anything more than discomfort and inconvenience, although people who scratch the bites may get bacterial infections or cause scarring.
- Detailed Pubic Lice Symptoms
- Pictures of Crabs
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- Pubic Lice Blog
References
- Symptoms
- Osterberg, E. Charles, et al. “Correlation between pubic hair grooming and STIs: results from a nationally representative probability sample.” Sex Transm Infect 93.3 (2017): 162-166.
- Gloster, Hugh Morris, Lauren E. Gebauer, and Rachel L. Mistur. “Lice.” Absolute Dermatology Review. Springer, Cham, 2016. 293-294.
- Durden, Lance A. “Lice (Phthiraptera).” Medical and veterinary entomology. Academic Press, 2019. 79-106.
- Sonthalia, Sidharth, Sangeeta Varma, and Abhijeet K. Jha. “Dermoscopy of pubic louse.” Indian dermatology online journal 10.1 (2019): 90.
- Bragg, Bradley N., and Leslie V. Simon. “Pediculosis Humanis (Lice, Capitis, Pubis).” StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing, 2018.
- Testing
- Mana, Nassima, et al. “Human head lice and pubic lice reveal the presence of several Acinetobacter species in Algiers, Algeria.” Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases 53 (2017): 33-39.
- Sonthalia, Sidharth, Sangeeta Varma, and Abhijeet K. Jha. “Dermoscopy of pubic louse.” Indian dermatology online journal 10.1 (2019): 90.
- Standard, I. P. C. “SCABIES AND HUMAN LICE POLICY.” (2018).
- Australia, Healthdirect. “Screening tests for STIs.” (2019).
- Ly, Tran Duc Anh, et al. “The presence of Acinetobacter baumannii DNA on the skin of homeless people and its relationship with body lice infestation. Preliminary results.” Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology 9 (2019): 86.
- Treatment
- Gunning, Karen, Bernadette Kiraly, and Karly Pippitt. “Lice and Scabies: Treatment Update.” American Family Physician 99.10 (2019).
- Monsel, Gentiane, and Olivier Chosidow. “24 Scabies, lice, and myiasis.” Clinical Infectious Disease (2015): 162.
- Shakya, M., A. K. Jayraw, and M. Singh. “Pubic lice infestation in man from Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.” Journal of parasitic diseases 42.3 (2018): 402-404.
- Spring, Nicholas, and Garry T. Gwozdz. “Topical Avermectin Formulations and Methods For Elimination and Prophylaxis of Susceptible and Treatment Resistant Strains of Head Lice.” U.S. Patent Application No. 15/968,364.
- Hodges, Ashley L., and Aimee C. Holland. “Prevention and Treatment of Injuries and Infections Related to Pubic Hair Removal.” Nursing for women’s health 21.4 (2017): 313-317.
- Prevention
- Durden, Lance A. “Lice (Phthiraptera).” Medical and veterinary entomology. Academic Press, 2019. 79-106.
- Gunning, Karen, Bernadette Kiraly, and Karly Pippitt. “Lice and Scabies: Treatment Update.” American Family Physician 99.10 (2019).
- Hodges, Ashley L., and Aimee C. Holland. “Prevention and Treatment of Injuries and Infections Related to Pubic Hair Removal.” Nursing for women’s health 21.4 (2017): 313-317.
- Moshki, Mahdi, Fereshteh Zamani-Alavijeh, and Mehdi Mojadam. “Efficacy of peer education for adopting preventive behaviors against head lice infestation in female elementary school students: a randomised controlled trial.” PloS one 12.1 (2017): e0169361.
- Osterberg, E. Charles, et al. “Correlation between pubic hair grooming and STIs: results from a nationally representative probability sample.” Sex Transm Infect 93.3 (2017): 162-166.
- Transmission
- Osterberg, Charles, et al. “Association between pubic hair grooming and sexually transmitted infections: Results from a nationally representative probability sample.” The Journal of Urology 195.4 (2016).
- Monsel, Gentiane, and Olivier Chosidow. “24 Scabies, lice, and myiasis.” Clinical Infectious Disease (2015): 162.
- Hodges, Ashley L., and Aimee C. Holland. “Prevention and Treatment of Injuries and Infections Related to Pubic Hair Removal.” Nursing for women’s health 21.4 (2017): 313-317.
- Kin, Cindy, and Mark Lane Welton. “Sexually Transmitted Infections.” The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Springer, Cham, 2016. 325-342.
- Mehlhorn, Heinz. “Mouthparts of Bloodsuckers and Their Ability to Transmit Agents of Diseases.” Mosquito-borne Diseases. Springer, Cham, 2018. 131-158.
