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What are they?
Crabs, or pubic lice, are an infestation of
crab-like parasites that attach themselves to pubic hair and other course hair
on the body. The medical name for the condition is Pediculus Pubis.
Although crabs come from the same family of parasites as head and body lice,
they are not the same thing.
How prevalent is it?
There are an estimated 3 million instances of
people being infected with genital crabs each year.
How do you get it?
Most cases are transmitted through sexual
contact. The genitals of one person who is infected with crabs coming into close
contact with the genitals of another person will allow the crabs to “jump ship”
onto the other person. This can occur even without penetration (i.e., during dry
humping, etc.). You can also get them from wearing the unwashed clothing or
using towels and other hygiene items used by someone who is infected with crabs.
Signs & Symptoms
The first sign of an infestation is intense
itching in the genitals or anus, and may be accompanied by a mild fever, malaise
(feeling run down), irritability, etc. You may also notice the crabs in your
pubic hair (esp. with a magnifying glass), as well as the small egg sacks (known
as “nits”). The itching usually begins five days after infestation begins. Some
people don't itch and don't know they are infested.
Seen with the naked eye or with a magnifying
glass, pubic lice look like tiny crabs. They are pale gray but darken in color
when swollen with blood. They attach themselves and their eggs to pubic hair,
underarm hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Their eggs are white and are deposited
in small clumps near the hair roots.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis is usually accomplished by the infected
individual, but you may wish to consult a doctor to verify that it is not some
other form of parasite.
There are over-the-counter medications to treat this. Some of the brands
available are A-200®, RID®, and InnoGel Plus®. Repeated head-to-toe applications
may be necessary, but follow the instructions included with the medication.
Pregnant and breast-feeding women, and infants
must use products especially designed for them, like Eurax®. Everyone who may
have been exposed to pubic lice should be treated at the same time. All bedding,
towels, and clothing that may have been exposed should be thoroughly washed or
dry cleaned, and the home should be vacuumed.
If over the counter medications do not solve the problem, prescription
medications are available. In some cases, (i.e., eyebrow infestations),
prescription medications are required.
What are the health/sexual implications of an
infection?
Failure to get crabs treated will result in
continued and increasing discomfort as they continue to multiply. They are
very contagious and any contact between an infected person and anyone else (with
the infected person's pubic area) will result in the transmission of crabs from
one host to the other.
How do I prevent it?
Avoidance of contact with someone who has an
infestation is the only way to avoid acquiring crabs.
Resources for Additional Reading
American Social Health Association
Planned Parenthood
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