What are crabs?
Crabs are parasites that look like tiny crablike insects that can be seen if examined closely. They are also sometimes called pubic lice. Crabs feed off blood and they may be anywhere there is hair on the body. Most commonly, they are found in the genital area but they can also spread to anywhere there is course hair. Crabs are not a viral or bacterial infection.
How are crabs spread?
Crabs are almost always spread by sexual contact with a person who has them. These parasites can also spread by sharing clothes, bed sheets, or towels.
What are some symptoms of crabs?
People with crabs can experience mild to severe itching in the genital area. Itching usually begins five days after infestation. After a couple of days dark bluish spots may appear. This comes from the crabs biting the skin.
How can crabs be diagnosed?
If you experience intense itching in your genital area contact your doctor and explain your symptoms. Everybody’s body itches sometimes and that doesn’t mean you necessarily have crabs. Your doctor will be able to help you identify what it may be and if you should make an appointment. Also, you may be able to see the crabs on your own or with a magnifying glass.
Are crabs curable and/or treatable?
Yes! Crabs don’t cause long-term harm but they are very irritating and uncomfortable.
Just taking a bath or shaving won’t get rid of the parasites. Your doctor can prescribe a medicated shampoo or you can buy specific brands at the drugstore that specifically treat crabs. Use treatment as directed and avoid any sexual contact until treatment is completed. It is also important to wash all bedding, towels and clothes used recently in hot water because once the crabs leave your body they can live for many hours on other items.
How can crabs be prevented?
There is actually no way to be 100% safe from crabs because you can unknowingly get them from an infested towel or item. Getting crabs has nothing to do with cleanliness or hygiene.
How can you and your partner stay healthy together?
Most cases of crabs involve sexual contact so avoiding any genital-to-genital or mouth-to-genital contact will help. If a partner is experiencing any symptoms, they should be treated as well; otherwise couples can pass it back and forth to each other.