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Question:
What is "crabs"? And how do you catch it, and what how do you treat it?
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Answer:
by Georgan Gregg: (05/20/2004)
Millions of people get this annoying pest every year. Crabs is the common term for pubic lice. They look like crabs under a microscope but can be seen by the naked eye with close inspection. Crabs are different than head or body lice, although the same intense itching occurs, albeit in a different area of the body.
The other transmissible tiny parasite that can cause itching in the genital area is scabies. You won’t know immediately that you’re got either. Crabs take 5 to 10 days to make their presence known while scabies might not cause itching for a month.
Adult “crabs” look like whitish flecks, while nits are ovals stuck to the hair, and the skin beneath could be red and scaly. Sky-blue spots which fade to brown are bites and defecation. Scabies, however, are IN the skin, so you'll see bumps, perhaps blisters and crusty skin. It's extremely easy to transmit either by skin-to-skin contact.
It’s possible to get crabs from bedding, clothing or toilet seats, but the primary means of infestation is direct sexual contact, during which the louse moves from one person to another. Oral sex can transmit crabs to hair on the eyelashes, eyebrows, face, chest, armpits or scalp. An infected adult can pass crabs to children through close contact.
The good news is that pubic lice and their eggs can be easily destroyed by careful application of non-prescription medications like KWELL or RID. Package directions should be followed carefully to ensure total eradication. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not use kwell. Nor should kwell be used on children under the age of 2. Sheets, blankets, towels, clothing, sleeping bags, and other personal articles should be thoroughly washed in hot water or dry cleaned. Rugs, furniture, mattresses and bathrooms should be carefully cleaned and disinfected with a commercial preparation such as RID. Items that are inconvenient to clean, such as large quilts or blankets, can be stored away from other clothing and bedding for a month (during this time lice and nits that hatch will die without blood to feed upon).
After the pests are gone you may still have some itching due to skin irritation or allergic reaction. Hydrocortisone cream can take care of that.
Note: Anyone who has had sexual contact with an infected person should be treated. Others in the household may require treatment if symptoms begin. It’s best to abstain from sexual contact for 48 hours after treatment. Examine yourself after one week to determine if any nits remain.
To avoid catching crabs again make sure sex partner(s) are treated too. Telling a partner might be uncomfortable, but it's important that they get treatment as soon as possible. Besides, it’s very possible to pass crabs back and forth, so if you get treated and your partner doesn't you’ll get infested again. Lastly, since crabs are usually sexually transmitted, you may be at risk for other STD. Talk to your doctor or nurse about being tested.Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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