| |
Sexual Health Centre
Infections and Safer Sex |
Crabs (Pubic
Lice)
What is it?
Crabs are grey or brownish-red
insects closely related to head lice. They live in the pubic hair or other
body hair and lay their eggs at the base of the hair. On average, it takes
eight or nine days for the eggs to hatch, but sometimes it can take up to
17 days. Crabs can live up to 35 days and survive away from the human body
for 24 to 48 hours. You can get them through close contact with an infected
person or by sleeping in an infected person's bed, using their towels or
wearing their clothes.
What are the
symptoms?
Itching, particularly at night,
is the most common symptom. Sometimes people don't feel itchy but they do
find the lice in their pubic hair or tiny dried blood spots on their underwear.
Bluish spots on the pubic area or thighs may be bites.
How is it
diagnosed?
It is diagnosed when you or your
doctor finds the lice or their eggs in your pubic hair.
Are there
any complications?
Sometimes scratching can lead
to a skin infection.
How is it
treated?
You can buy treatments for crabs
without a prescription, usually in the form of shampoos. Nix Cream Rinse
is the recommended treatment. Other products include R&C Shampoo,
and Kwellada lotion or shampoo. Kwellada products contain lindane and should
not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Be careful to follow the
instructions that come
with the treatment.
You also have to kill the
crabs in clothing, bedding and towels. Dry clean or washing on the hot
setting will kill the lice. Freezing the cloth for 24 hours will also
kill them. For treatment to be effective, you have to kill all of the
lice in your clothes, bedding and furniture.
Should my
partner be checked or treated?
Yes, your partner should look
for crabs and treat them if necessary.
How can I
protect myself from crabs?
Crabs may reoccur if they are
not carefully killed in bedding towels and even upholstered furniture. Wash
everything at the hottest temperature possible.
Back
to index
|
 |
