Pubic Lice, Crabs
Pthiriasis
Pubic lice, also called crab lice or “crabs,” are parasitic insects found primarily attached to hair in the pubic or genital area of humans, but they are occasionally found on coarse hair elsewhere on the body, such as hair on the legs, armpits, mustache, beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Pubic lice are different from the lice you may get on your head or body.
Symptoms
- Itching in the genital area
- Visible nits (lice eggs) or crawling lice
Risks
- Spreads through sexual contact with a partner with this condition
- Occasionally, may be spread by close personal contact or contact with articles such as clothing, bed linens, or towels that have been used by an infected person
Testing
- Diagnosed by finding a “crab” louse or egg (nit) on hair in the pubic region or, less commonly, elsewhere on the body
Treatment
- Lice-killing products are available over-the-counter without a prescription at a drug store or pharmacy