Crabs (Pubic Lice) infestation is one of the communicable diseases. Pubic lice infestation is very common worldwide. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, there are approximately 3 million of new people who are infested every year. The ratio is 1 in every 90 residents in the United States.

They are mostly found on the genital area on pubic hairs; do not be confused with head lice because sometimes they are present in other body hairs such as hairs on legs, armpits and eyebrows.

What Do They Look Like?

Pubic lice look like very similar to other types of lice; head lice and body lice. They have six legs, pair of antennae, a head and abdomen. They also have the same life cycle; lice egg, nymph and adult lice.

Nits are the eggs of parasitic organisms. Therefore, lice eggs can also be called as nits. They are very small and are very hard to see with the naked eye. They need heat that is why they are attached in hair strands one centimeter away from the skin. These oval-shaped eggs are yellowish and turn to white when they are emptied. They usually hatch within a week.

Nits hatch to give birth to young lice which are also called nymphs. They look like adult pubic lice but are estimated to be five times smaller. They feed on blood for up to 2 – 3 weeks before they become mature.

Adult pubic lice have two large front legs which would look like pinchers of a crab when viewed on a strong magnifying lens (this is where they got its name). They are grayish in color which turns to dark brown/red as they feed on blood. Female louse is usually bigger than males which can lay approximately eight eggs after mating. They feed on blood approximately five times a day and die within a day or two if they fall off the ground.

Pubic Lice Transmission

Pubic lice are found on the genitals and are therefore transmitted through sexual interactions. These tiny parasites are quick-moving and transmission can occur in any minute. They may die if they are away from their host but can move very quickly to find new host. One can also get pubic lice with infested bed linens, towels, or clothing.

In contrast to the myth, one cannot get pubic lice from animals. They do not also occur on toilet seats. Their legs and feet are not designed to cling on smooth surfaces like toilet bowls.

Health Concerns

Pubic lice are associated to other sexually transmitted diseases but do not spread them. It may not cause other serious health problems but constant scratching can cause open wounds which is very vulnerable to infections.

Pubic Lice Symptoms

A clear sign of pubic lice infestation is the presence of pubic lice and pubic lice eggs in your genital area. You can also suspect if you found lice on hairs behind legs, armpits and eyebrows.

Pubic lice secrete a substance that reacts with our skin as they suck blood which results to itching. Check for pubic lice immediately if you feel the itch. It is the primary symptoms of pubic lice. It gets worst at night during sleep. If constant scratching occurs unnoticeable during sleep, it may cause skin discoloration. It can also cause sores and bumps which can further become cuts and lesions.

Pubic Lice Treatment

Pubic lice should be treated immediately to prevent infections. You can consult your doctor or you can directly buy over-the-counter treatment products on your favorite local drugstores. These products usually contain Pyrethrin (1%), Permethrin (1%) or Lindane (1%). Here are some of the commercial names available online: Lyclear Dermal Cream, Derbac-M Liquid, Kwell, Rid, A – 200, Clear and R&C.

If you want to avoid agents and chemicals, you can also use natural remedies as treatment for crabs. There are a lot of plant extracts that will drive away pubic lice and prevent re-infestations. Essential oils of Neem, Tea Tree, Rosemary and Lavender contain natural insecticidal ingredients that act as antiseptic. Available natural pubic lice-killing products are Naughty Nits Spritzer, Naughty Nits Hair Oil and Naughty Nits Shampoo. They are manufactured by NativeRemedies. For more information, you can visit their site or you can dial 1 – 561 – 999 – 8857.

After every treatment, dead pubic lice and nits may cling on your pubic hair. Nits are also the main cause of re-infestations. It is recommended to use nit combs to rake them away. It has specialized teeth that have very small gaps in between which can trap even the tiniest nits. If you are experiencing symptoms, treat pubic lice (crabs) immediately to prevent further infestations. It may cause infections in the long run.

Have you ever experienced having a lice infestation? The most prevalent lice are the head lice. These are mostly common in children. Aside from the head lice there are also two other kinds: the body lice and the pubic lice. The head lice mostly affect the head and hair strands of a person. The body lice affect the body of a person. You can acquire body lice if you do not have a hygienic environment. Then there are the pubic lice. Most people will be familiar with the first two kinds of lice but few people would be aware of the pubic lice. So, let us know more about the pubic lice and be aware when it happens and what can it do your body.

Pubic Lice

Pubic lice are small, six-legged creatures that infect the pubic hair area. They are also known as crabs due to their crab-like claws that they use to cling to the pubic hair. The pubic lice infestation can happen to anyone. It does not choose its victim so it can happen to any gender and race. The scientific term for pubic lice is Phthirus pubis. Transmission generally occurs during sexual intercourse. Pubic lice are mostly common in adults.

There is a misconception that by just sitting in a toilet seat you might be contaminated with pubic lice. That is just pure fallacy because a pubic louse cannot live away from a warm body. The moment it separates from its host, it will die.

Symptoms of Pubic Lice

Just like the other kinds of lice, the pubic lice also cause itchiness in the genital area. That is the main symptom. Then you will also see nits or lice eggs on the pubic hair.

Effects of Pubic Lice

Having pubic lice is not just an ordinary irritation. There may be harmful effect if diagnosed. If not treated right away, it can cause permanent scarring for the person who is infected. Since the pubic lice can cause itchiness, the constant scratching can be aggravated and may become small wounds. Bacterial infection may also happen if the wound is not treated immediately.

Treatments of Pubic Lice

There are over-the-counter medications that one can use to treat the pubic lice. However, one has to consult a doctor first before using these medications. These medications are mostly prescription so it is best that you ask the doctor how the products are to be applied. Using them in the wrong way can aggravate your condition. Some of the products that you can use are lice killing lotion with 1% permethrin or mousse that contains pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide.

Another thing that you should remember is that when you are diagnosed with pubic lice, you should also have yourself checked for other sexually transmitted diseases.

Having pubic lice is a serious matter, compared to the other kinds of lice infestation, this could lead to other sexual diseases and it can endanger your life. So it is best to have consultation with the doctor and discuss the treatment that would best eliminate the pubic lice.