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The Dirt on Crabs
Blythe Miller, 05.27.08
In most cases, the itching begins five days after infestation. |
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Crabs. Pubic lice. The name alone is enough to make you cringe, right? While it's certainly true that crabs may not be the best topic of conversation for the dinner table, it's important to learn about them just the same. After all, knowing the facts about them is the best way to protect yourself from ever encountering them! Read on to learn more about pubic lice, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that may be more common than you think.
What exactly are pubic lice?
You might remember having to stay home from school for a day when you were younger because you had a pesky case of head lice. Well, it turns out your head is not the only place you can get lice!
Pubic lice, or "crabs," are tiny insects that can infest the genital and anal areas. Once they're settled, they bite and suck the blood of the person who has them. They affect millions of people every year.
As their name suggests, when examined under a microscope they resemble miniature crabs. To the naked eye, they have a pale gray color, though they appear darker when swollen with blood. They attach themselves and their eggs to pubic hair, underarm hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. The eggs are white and are deposited in small clumps near the roots of the hairs.
How do I know if I have pubic lice?
Symptoms of pubic lice typically include
- intense itching in the genitals or anus
- mild fever
- feeling run-down
- irritability
- lice or small egg sacs — nits — in pubic hair
In most cases, the itching begins five days after infestation. However, sometimes people infested with pubic lice will have no itching, and therefore won't know anything's wrong.
Are pubic lice contagious?
Definitely. Pubic lice are a highly contagious STI.
How are pubic lice spread?
Pubic lice can be spread by sex play, and any other sort of close conact. That means you could get pubic lice from contact with infected bedding, clothing, upholstered furniture, and toilet seats.
I've got pubic lice. What do I do?
If you've got pubic lice, you'll need to go to the drugstore and pick up an over-the-counter medication. Some of the brands available are A200 and RID. Follow the instructions on the package carefully. In some cases, repeated head-to-toe applications may be necessary.
Stronger treatments are also available by prescription; to get those you'd have to see your health care provider. Infants and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding must use products especially designed for them. Also, it's very important that everyone — even someone who only may have had contact with pubic lice — is treated at the same time.
Treatment for pubic lice also requires a little housekeeping: all bedding, towels, and any clothing that may have been exposed should be thoroughly washed or dry cleaned. And finally, your house or apartment should be vacuumed, just to make sure they're all gone.
Are they dangerous?
Nope. Crabs can be really uncomfortable, and they might cost you a few extra bucks at the dry cleaners, but they're basically harmless.
How can I protect myself?
Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot you can do to prevent pubic lice infestation if you happen to come into contact with them. Therefore, the only real protection is to limit the number of intimate and sexual contacts you have.
And, as always, educating yourself is the best way to ensure that you stay healthy! Remember, pubic lice may make you a little squeamish, but they are easy to diagnose and totally treatable. So do your homework, and take care of your sexual health.
To make an appointment for testing or treatment at a Planned Parenthood health center near you, call 1-800-230-PLAN. Or find us online. |
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