Pubic Lice

Small parasites that feed on human blood.

Also known as “crabs”.

Not the same as head and body lice.

Crabs are usually found on the pubic hair, but can be also be found on other parts of the body where a person has coarse hair (such as armpits, eyelashes, and facial hair).

Transmission

• Contact with infected bedding, clothing, upholstered furniture, and toilet seats

• Intimate and sexual contact

Signs/Symptoms

• Itching usually begins five days after infestation. Some people don't itch and don't know they are infested

• Intense itching in the genitals or anus

• Mild fever

• Feeling run-down

• Irritability

• Lice or small egg sacs — nits — in pubic hair

Treatment

• Wash the infested area; towel dry.

• Thoroughly saturate hair with lice medication. Thoroughly rinse off medication with water. Dry off with a clean towel.

• Following treatment, most nits will still be attached to hair shafts. Nits may be removed with fingernails.

• Put on clean underwear and clothing after treatment.

• To kill any lice or nits (attached to hairs) that may be left on clothing or bedding, machine-wash those washable items that the infested person used during the 2-3 days before treatment. Use the hot water cycle (130°F). Use the hot dryer cycle for at least 20 minutes.

• Dry-clean clothing that is not washable.

• Inform any sexual partners that they are at risk for infestation.

• Do not have sex until treatment is complete.

• Do not have sex with infected partners until partners have been treated and infestation has been cured.

• Repeat treatment in 7-10 days if lice are still found

Prevention

• The best way to avoid infections abstaining from sexual contact

• Latex condoms do not provide effective protection against crabs

• Pubic lice are highly contagious and there is no protection except for limiting the number of intimate and sexual contacts