Crabs (Pubic Lice)

(curable with medication)

• Crabs are tiny little blood-sucking bugs (lice) that live in pubic hair and cause a lot of itching.
• Crabs are usually transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. These little bugs can literally jump from the pubic hair of one person to that of another during sex. They can also be transmitted through sleeping in infested bedding, wearing infested clothing, and possibly from contact with an infested toilet seat.
• Usually, crabs will be found in the pubic area, but lice can also infest armpits, eyelashes, beards, mustaches and even head hair. The main symptom is intense itching. The itching usually comes from an allergic reaction to lice bites.
• Crabs can be treated by putting a liquid medicine directly on your pubic hair. You can get a prescription from your doctor. You can buy over-the-counter treatments as well. After treatment, a fine-toothed comb can be used to remove the crabs and their eggs.
• Make sure you wash and dry your clothes, bedding, towels, etc. with hot water to kill crabs and their eggs.
• Notify any sex partners immediately so they can be treated.
• Crabs can still be transmitted even if you use a latex condom to help prevent other STDs.
• Crabs have three stages of life: egg, nit and louse (singular of lice). The nits hatch within five to 10 days after they are laid.