What is genital crabs

Pubic Lice: Fast Facts. Pubic lice, also known as crabs, are small parasites that feed on human blood. Anyone can get crabs and they are very common.

Millions of people are infected with public lice very year. Although crabs come from the same family of parasites as head and body lice, they are not the same thing. How does someone get crabs? What are the symptoms of crabs? How are crabs diagnosed? How are crabs treated? Recommended treatments for crabs include: Permethrin cream The cream can be applied to the affected area and washed off after 10 minutes. Permethrin is available over the counter.

Should not be used for treatment of eyelashes or eyebrows. Available only by prescription. Should not be used on broken skin. Pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide This shampoo is applied to the affected area and washed off after 10 minutes. Available over the counter. Learn about what they have in common, what makes them different, and treatment options.

Lice are parasites. You can catch them through personal contact and by sharing belongings. Find out how to identify the symptoms so that you can get….

Finding lice in blonde hair can sometimes be a bit difficult. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. There are three types of lice that infest humans: pediculus humanus capitis: head lice pediculus humanus corporis: body lice phthirus pubis: pubic lice Lice feed on human blood and cause intense itching in affected areas.

Pubic lice infestations are more common among people who have sexually transmitted infections. How you can get pubic lice. Recognizing the signs of pubic lice. Diagnosing pubic lice.

Getting rid of pubic lice. How to prevent pubic lice infestations. Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, M. A Close Look at Lice Bites. Read this next. Why Are My Testicles Itchy? Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Medically reviewed by University of Illinois. Some people have no symptoms and may be unaware that they have a lice infestation. Applying topical creams or lotions containing permethrin for example, Lyclear cream or Quellada lotion to the whole body from neck to toes is the most commonly recommended treatment.

You do not need to apply the cream to the hair on your head. See your doctor, pharmacist or sexual health centre for further advice. Note: Do not apply permethrin to your eyelashes. If your eyelashes are affected, discuss alternative treatment with your doctor. Symptoms may take a few days to settle. If you still have symptoms one week after treatment, see your doctor for review. Any sexual partners you have had over the past month will need to be examined and treated.

Current sexual partners should be treated at the same time as you are. Condoms do not protect you against pubic lice. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Itching scalp can be caused by a number of conditions, including dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis. Human hair grows one centimetre every month. Pubic lice nits take about 6—10 days to hatch.

Nymph: The nymph is an immature louse that hatches from the nit egg. A nymph looks like an adult pubic louse but it is smaller. Pubic lice nymphs take about 2—3 weeks after hatching to mature into adults capable of reproducing. To live, a nymph must feed on blood. Adult: The adult pubic louse resembles a miniature crab when viewed through a strong magnifying glass.

Pubic lice have six legs; their two front legs are very large and look like the pincher claws of a crab. Females lay nits and are usually larger than males. To live, lice must feed on blood.

If the louse falls off a person, it dies within 1—2 days. Pubic lice usually are found in the genital area on pubic hair; but they may occasionally be found on other coarse body hair, such as hair on the legs, armpits, mustache, beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Pubic lice on the eyebrows or eyelashes of children may be a sign of sexual exposure or abuse.