STD of the week: Crabs

“Crabs” are actually pubic lice that can be found on any thick coarse hair such as the pubic area, armpits, eyelashes and some facial hair such as beards. 

Penetration does not need to occur for the pubic lice to be transmitted from one to another. Crabs affects millions of people each year.

Any close physical contact of coarse hair with a person with lice will be enough for the lice to jump from one person to another. Generally, crabs do not attach to the hair on the head. 

For non-sexual transmission of the lice, it is possible for someone to get them through sleeping in an infested bed, using towels or wearing clothing that have them. Since the pubic lice can not live more than 1-2 days without human blood, it is rare for someone to get crabs from a toilet seat or anything of that nature. 

The first and most noticeable symptom of crabs is intense itching. That will generally happen five days after the initial contact and occurs due to the allergic reaction to the bites. Individual little crabs may be seen using a magnifying glass. They look like little crabs that are usually found at the beach and can be whitish-gray or rust-colored. 

Eggs may also be seen attached to the base of the hair follicle. The eggs or “nits” are small and oval-like, and generally a pearl color.

To treat crabs, creams such as permethrin cream are available over the counter. Lindane shampoo is available only by prescription. 

Crabs do not cause any serious infections on their own and only cause discomfort and an inconvenience. Secondary bacterial infections are possible due to the scratching from the bites.