Crab Lice
Also known as: Pubic Lice
What is it?
Crab lice are very small, wingless
insects that primarily infest the genital
area. However, crab lice can live in any
hairy area of the body, such as the chest,
underarms, facial hair, and head.
Who gets it?
Anyone who has close body contact with
someone who is infected can get crab lice.
What causes it?
Crab lice are usually spread by sexual
contact. This type of lice likes hairy
areas of the body. They live by sucking
blood from the skin and attaching their
eggs to the pubic hair. The eggs are
called nits. You can get crab lice from
any type of close body contact with an
infected person, or by using that person’s
sheets, towels, or other personal items
that might have contacted the infected
area. Crab lice are extremely contagious.
What are the symptoms?
You may have no symptoms if you are
infested with only a few lice. As they
reproduce, you may notice white flakes at
the base of your pubic hair, like
dandruff. These are the nits. However,
because they are so firmly attached, you
cannot brush the flakes off. The growing
number of lice cause intense itching. You
may develop a bacterial infection if you
scratch so hard that you break open the
skin.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose crab lice, your doctor will
take your medical history and perform a
physical examination. He or she will check
for lice and nits in your pubic hair, as
well as other hairy areas of your body.
When examined under a microscope, crab
lice look like tiny crabs, around one to
three millimeters long (less than 1/8 of
an inch). Let your doctor know if you are
pregnant or breast feeding because some
treatments are not recommended for
pregnant or nursing women.
What is the treatment?
Crab lice are treated with an
over-the-counter shampoo specially
designed to kill the lice and their eggs.
If this does not work, your doctor may
prescribe a stronger treatment. Follow the
instructions that come with the product
for the best results. You will need to
remove the dead nits yourself using a
fine-tooth comb or tweezers after
treatment. Your doctor may recommend a
topical cream to relieve itching, or an
antibiotic if you have a bacterial
infection. Wash bedding, towels, and
clothes in hot water and detergent, and
dry them thoroughly at a high heat setting
to kill any remaining lice.
Self-care tips
You can prevent a crab lice infestation
by avoiding sexual contact altogether, or
by having just one sexual partner with
whom you share a sexual history. Although
your are not likely to get crab lice from
a toilet seat, it’s still a good idea to
avoid sitting on an uncovered toilet seat
in a public areas. Do not share sheets,
towels, or clothes with anyone who might
have crab lice. Condoms cannot protect you
from crab lice because they do not cover
the pubic hair.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
|
