Learn More About Crabs (Pubic Lice)

25.06.2012 | By: S. M.

Pubic lice or crabs aren’t dangerous, but they are very unpleasant and highly contagious. Would you recognize the signs of this sexually transmitted disease?

Pubic lice aren’t dangerous, but they are extremely annoying. (PhotoXpress)

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What is a pubic or crab louse?

The pubic or crab louse is a small insect that spreads through sexual intercourse from the pubic hair of one person to that of another person. Pubic lice or crabs is also passed on through clothing, towel and bed linen. And once they are transmitted, they feed on the host’s blood – that is, your blood. Pubic lice are called crabs because they look like small crabs under the microscope.

What are the symptoms of pubic lice?

Public lice are particularly known for intense itching. If you have pubic lice, you’ll probably notice small, grey and white insects crawling in your pubic hair. You may also notice small and oval, yellow and white bumps hanging from the tips of your pubic hair. These are eggs, of course. You can remove them easily with your fingers or a thick comb – such a comb can be purchased in pharmacies.

The symptoms of crabs usually develop within a week. Sometimes they last two or three weeks before you notice pubic lice. Namely, the lice reach maturity in that period. This means that itching may start in the first week, while you notice the lice in the second or third week after infection. Therefore, the most common symptom of pubic lice is itching. You can also notice red and grey marks that appear because of the bites of the lice.

What are the consequences of pubic lice?

Usually, pubic lice don’t cause any serious problems or complications. However, itching can be extremely unpleasant. Pubic lice are highly contagious. Female larva survives 25 to 30 days and every one lays 20 to 30 eggs. The larva survives outside a host for a day or two, which explains the fact that crabs can be passed on through towel and bed linen. It’s therefore important to notice pubic lice at the right time and thus receive treatment. Otherwise, it takes a very long time to get rid of them.

How do you treat pubic lice?

If you suspect you have crabs, or if your partner had them, see your doctor immediately. If you contracted the infection, your doctor will prescribe or recommend a medication that will eradicate the lice and their eggs. It’s advisable to repeat the treatment at least once within 7 to 10 days after the first treatment in order to get rid of all the remaining lice and larvae left after the first treatment. Remember, a single larva lays 20 to 30 eggs.

It’s also advisable to wash and dry at a high temperature all the clothes you have recently worn, towels, underwear and bed linen, and you should also iron them. The person with whom you have recently had sexual relations should also be advised to check whether he or she has pubic lice. Although condoms provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases, they don’t cover the whole genitals, and pubic lice or crabs are therefore highly likely to spread.