Pubic lice
DEFINITION
Pubic lice, commonly called crabs, are tiny insects found in your genital area. They are a different type of louse from head lice and body lice. Measuring 1/16 inch (1.6 millimeters) or less, pubic lice received their nickname because their bodies resemble sea crabs.
The most common way to acquire pubic lice is through sexual intercourse. In children, pubic lice may be found in the eyebrows or eyelashes and can be a sign of sexual abuse. However, children can sometimes catch pubic lice from heavily infested parents simply by sharing a communal bed.
Pubic lice feed on your blood, and their bites can cause severe itching. Treatment includes applying over-the-counter creams and lotions that kill the parasites and their eggs.
CAUSES
Pubic lice are most commonly transmitted during sexual activity. Although it’s unusual, you may also acquire pubic lice from contaminated sheets, blankets, towels or clothes.
SYMPTOMS
If you have pubic lice (crabs), you may experience intense itching in your genital region. Pubic lice don’t infest the scalp, but they can spread to other areas with coarse body hair, including the:
- Legs
- Chest
- Armpits
- Beard or mustache
- Eyelashes or eyebrows, more commonly in children
When to see a doctor
Seek medical advice about pubic lice treatment if:
- Over-the-counter products don’t kill the lice
- You’re pregnant
- You have any infected skin abrasions from scratching
