Pubic Lice (Crabs)

CRABS (Pubic Lice)

• What is it? Tiny insects that live off human blood. Although they're often found around the genitals, they can live in any part of the body with hair.
• How is it contracted? Through sexual transmission, skin-to-skin contact, or in clothing, bedding, or on a toilet seat harboring the insects.
• Incubation Period: As long as a week if it's the first time you've had pubic lice; as little as a day if this is a recurrence.
• Symptoms: Itching in the genital area or any other part of the body with hair.
• Testing: Pubic lice are very small, whitish-gray parasites that look like crabs. You'll be able to see the insects or their eggs (which are pearl-colored and oval-shaped) in your hair. You may notice that the skin under your hair is red and scaly, or there may be small blue spots -- signs of lice bites. If you're unsure whether or not you have lice, see your doctor.
• Treatment: Over-the-counter lotions that contain the chemical permethrin such as Rid and Nix will get rid of the lice. (Talk to your doctor before using any product that contains the chemical lindane, which can be toxic, especially for unborn children.) After washing with the lotion, use a fine-toothed comb to comb out the crabs and their eggs (called nits). Your sexual partner(s) must be treated as well, and all clothing or bedding that may be infested must be washed in very hot water or dry-cleaned. In some cases, clothing, towels, or bedding may need to be washed a few times before they're completely lice-free.
• If you are not treated: If you don't seek treatment, you're likely to pass pubic lice on to any sexual partners, or anyone else you're in close contact with.

HOW TO AVOID GETTING PUBIC LICE OR CRABS:

Avoid Intimate Contact with Infected Individuals

• Crabs are most commonly spread through sexual contact, but not always.

• They can also be transmitted through close body contact or shared bedding/towels.

Don’t Share Personal Items

• Avoid sharing:

  • Underwear

  • Towels

  • Bed linens

  • Clothes

• Lice can survive for 24–48 hours on fabrics, so sharing = risk.

Inspect Before Intimacy

• You may not always see lice, but if you or a partner have itching, redness, or visible tiny bugs or eggs, wait and get checked.

• If your partner has been diagnosed, get treated too—even if you don’t see symptoms yet.

Treat Immediately If Exposed

• Over-the-counter lice treatments (like permethrin lotion) are effective.

• Wash all clothing, sheets, and towels in hot water (130°F or higher) and dry on high heat.

• Avoid sexual contact until treatment is complete and lice are gone.