What are pubic lice and how do you know if you have them. How are pubic lice treated and prevented. What are the main symptoms of pubic lice infestation. How are pubic lice spread between people.

Understanding Pubic Lice: The Tiny Parasites Known as “Crabs”

Pubic lice, colloquially known as “crabs,” are small parasitic insects that infest the pubic hair region and occasionally other areas with coarse body hair. These tiny creatures, scientifically called Pthirus pubis, are distinct from head lice and body lice. Measuring about 2mm in length, pubic lice have a crab-like appearance with six legs and a grayish-brown coloration, which explains their common nickname.

Despite their name, pubic lice can also be found in other areas of the body with coarse hair, including:

• Chest hair
• Armpit hair
• Facial hair (including beards and mustaches)
• Eyelashes (in rare cases)

These parasites do not infest the scalp hair, as they are adapted specifically to grip coarse body hair. Pubic lice feed on human blood, which can lead to intense itching and discomfort for the infested individual.

Identifying Pubic Lice: Key Symptoms and Signs

Recognizing the symptoms of pubic lice infestation is crucial for prompt treatment. While these parasites can be difficult to spot due to their small size, there are several telltale signs that may indicate their presence:

Visual Signs of Pubic Lice

• Tiny, grayish-brown insects in pubic hair or other body hair
• White or yellowish oval-shaped eggs (nits) attached to hair shafts
• Dark red or brown spots on underwear (lice feces)

Physical Symptoms

• Intense itching in the pubic region, which often worsens at night
• Small red or blue spots on the skin (bite marks)
• Skin irritation or rash in the affected areas
• In cases of eyelash infestation, crusted or sticky eyelashes

Can pubic lice infestation be asymptomatic? While rare, some individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms immediately after infestation. However, as the lice population grows, symptoms typically become more apparent.

Transmission and Risk Factors: How Pubic Lice Spread

Understanding how pubic lice spread is essential for both prevention and identifying potential sources of infestation. Contrary to popular belief, pubic lice cannot jump or fly. Instead, they spread through direct contact, primarily during intimate encounters.

Primary Methods of Transmission

1. Sexual contact: This is the most common way pubic lice spread from person to person.
2. Close physical contact: Non-sexual skin-to-skin contact in the pubic region can also lead to transmission.
3. Sharing contaminated items: While less common, pubic lice can spread through shared clothing, towels, or bedding.

Do pubic lice indicate the presence of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? While pubic lice themselves are not indicative of other STIs, their presence suggests a potential risk of exposure to other sexually transmitted infections. It’s advisable to undergo comprehensive STI testing if you discover a pubic lice infestation.

Diagnosing Pubic Lice: Professional Assessment and Self-Examination

If you suspect a pubic lice infestation, seeking professional medical advice is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Healthcare providers, particularly at sexual health clinics or general practitioner offices, are equipped to identify and confirm the presence of pubic lice.

Professional Diagnosis Process

• Visual inspection: A healthcare provider will examine the affected areas using magnification if necessary.
• Combing technique: A fine-toothed comb may be used to collect and identify lice or nits.
• Microscopic examination: In some cases, samples may be examined under a microscope for definitive identification.

Self-Examination Tips

While professional diagnosis is recommended, you can perform a preliminary self-examination:

1. Use a bright light and magnifying glass to inspect pubic hair and other potentially affected areas.
2. Look for tiny, moving insects or oval-shaped eggs attached to hair shafts.
3. Check for any unusual spots or discoloration on your skin or undergarments.

Is it possible to mistake other skin conditions for pubic lice? Yes, conditions such as folliculitis, eczema, or even small skin tags can sometimes be mistaken for pubic lice. This is why professional diagnosis is important for accurate identification and appropriate treatment.

Treatment Options: Eliminating Pubic Lice Effectively

Once diagnosed, treating pubic lice promptly is essential to alleviate symptoms and prevent spread to others. Several treatment options are available, with over-the-counter and prescription medications being the most common and effective approaches.

Topical Treatments

• Permethrin 1% cream rinse: An over-the-counter option effective against most lice infestations.
• Pyrethrin-based shampoos: Another common over-the-counter treatment.
• Malathion 0.5% lotion: A prescription medication used for resistant cases.
• Ivermectin lotion: A newer prescription treatment option.

Oral Medications

In some cases, oral ivermectin may be prescribed, especially for difficult-to-treat infestations or when topical treatments are not suitable.

Treatment Process

1. Apply the medication as directed, typically covering the entire body from the neck down.
2. Leave the treatment on for the recommended time before washing it off.
3. Repeat the treatment after 7-9 days to ensure all newly hatched lice are eliminated.
4. Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used in the 2-3 days before treatment in hot water (at least 50°C) or dry clean them.
5. Items that can’t be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least one week.

How long does it take for pubic lice treatment to work? Most treatments begin to work immediately, but it may take several days to a week for all symptoms to resolve. Complete eradication often requires the follow-up treatment to catch any newly hatched lice.

Preventing Reinfestation: Crucial Steps After Treatment

Successfully treating pubic lice is only part of the battle. Preventing reinfestation is equally important to ensure long-term relief and avoid spreading the parasites to others.

Key Prevention Strategies

• Inform recent sexual partners: Notify any sexual partners from the past month so they can seek treatment if necessary.
• Abstain from sexual contact: Avoid intimate contact until both you and your partner(s) have completed treatment.
• Thoroughly clean your environment: Vacuum floors, furniture, and car seats to remove any fallen lice or eggs.
• Maintain good personal hygiene: Regular bathing and changing of clothes can help prevent reinfestation.
• Avoid sharing personal items: Do not share towels, clothing, or bedding with others until the infestation is fully cleared.

Is it necessary to shave all body hair to get rid of pubic lice? While shaving is not required for effective treatment, some individuals may choose to do so. However, it’s important to note that shaving alone will not eliminate the infestation, and proper medication is still necessary.

Pubic Lice and Sexual Health: Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions

The presence of pubic lice often raises questions and concerns about sexual health and relationships. It’s important to address these issues with accurate information to reduce stigma and ensure proper care.

Common Concerns and Facts

• Pubic lice are not a sign of poor hygiene. They can affect anyone, regardless of cleanliness.
• Having pubic lice does not necessarily indicate infidelity in a relationship. Lice can be acquired from various sources, including shared items.
• Pubic lice infestations are not directly linked to other STIs, but they may indicate a need for comprehensive STI testing.
• Condoms do not prevent the transmission of pubic lice during sexual contact.

How should one approach discussing pubic lice with sexual partners? Open, honest communication is key. Inform recent partners calmly and factually, emphasizing the importance of treatment to prevent further spread. Offer information about the condition and encourage them to seek medical advice if needed.

When to Seek Medical Help: Complications and Special Cases

While pubic lice infestations are generally not dangerous, certain situations may require immediate medical attention or specialized care.

Situations Requiring Professional Medical Advice

• Persistent symptoms after completing treatment
• Signs of secondary skin infection (redness, swelling, pus)
• Eyelash infestation, which requires careful treatment to avoid eye damage
• Infestations in pregnant women or young children, as some treatments may not be suitable
• Individuals with compromised immune systems or other health conditions that may complicate treatment

Can pubic lice infestations lead to more serious health problems if left untreated? While rare, untreated infestations can potentially lead to secondary bacterial skin infections due to prolonged scratching. In cases of eyelash infestation, there’s a risk of eye irritation or conjunctivitis if not properly managed.

Understanding pubic lice, from identification to treatment and prevention, is crucial for maintaining sexual health and overall well-being. By recognizing the symptoms early, seeking appropriate treatment, and taking necessary preventive measures, individuals can effectively manage and prevent these parasitic infestations. Remember, while pubic lice can be a source of discomfort and embarrassment, they are a common and treatable condition that should not be stigmatized. Open communication with healthcare providers and sexual partners, coupled with proper hygiene practices, can go a long way in managing and preventing pubic lice infestations.

Pubic lice – NHS

Pubic lice are tiny insects that can live on body hair, especially the pubic hair around the penis or vagina. They’re spread through close body contact, most commonly through sexual contact.

Pubic lice are sometimes also called crabs.

Check if you have pubic lice

Pubic lice are very small (2mm long) and grey-brown in colour.

They can be hard to spot, but sometimes you may be able to see them in your hair.

They most often live on pubic hair around the penis or vagina, but can also be found in hair on the chest, armpits, face and eyelashes. They do not affect hair on the head.

Other symptoms of pubic lice include:

• itching, which is usually worse at night
• small red or blue spots on your skin (lice bites)
• white/yellow dots attached to your hair (lice eggs)
• dark red or brown spots in your underwear (lice poo)
• crusted or sticky eyelashes, if they’re affected

Non-urgent advice: Go to a sexual health clinic or see a GP if:

• you think you might have pubic lice

Pubic lice will not go away without treatment.

If you’re sure you have pubic lice, you may be able to get treatment from a pharmacist.

What happens at your appointment

If you go to a sexual health clinic or GP surgery because you think you have pubic lice, a doctor or nurse will check your hair for lice.

They may check your pubic hair around your penis or vagina and any other areas that could be affected, such as your armpits, chest or eyelashes.

To help spot any lice, they might use a comb and a magnifying lens.

If they think you might have caught the lice during sex, they may ask about your sexual partners. They may also suggest getting tested for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Treatment for pubic lice

The main treatments for pubic lice are medicated creams or shampoos that kill the lice.

You usually need to use the treatment on your whole body and leave it on for a few hours before washing it off. You’ll need to repeat this again a week later to make sure all the lice have been killed.

You may be asked to come back a week after you finish treatment, to check if the treatment has worked.

Any current or recent sexual partners should also be treated, even if they do not have symptoms.

How to stop pubic lice spreading

While you’re being treated for pubic lice, there are some things you can do to help stop the lice spreading to others and stop the lice coming back.

Do

• wash your clothes and bedding on a hot wash (50C or higher), get them dry cleaned, or put them in a plastic bag for at least a week – this will help kill any lice

• vacuum your mattress to remove any lice

How you get pubic lice

Pubic lice are mainly spread by close body contact, most commonly sexual contact.

The lice cannot jump or fly, but can climb from one person to another.

You can also catch the lice from clothes, bedding or towels used by someone with pubic lice, but this is rare.

How to avoid getting pubic lice

It can be hard to prevent pubic lice.

The only way to avoid getting them is to avoid having sexual contact (or sharing bedding or clothing) with anyone you know who has pubic lice, until they’ve been treated.

Condoms and other forms of contraception will not protect you from pubic lice. But it’s still a good idea to use condoms during sex because they reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Page last reviewed: 24 May 2022
Next review due: 24 May 2025

Pediculosis (lice, head lice, body lice, pubic lice, cooties, crabs)

Last Reviewed: October 2011

What is pediculosis?

Pediculosis is an infestation of the hairy parts of the body or clothing with the eggs, larvae or adults of lice. The crawling stages of this insect feed on human blood, which can result in severe itching. Head lice are usually located on the scalp, crab lice in the pubic area and body lice along seams of clothing. Body lice travel to the skin to feed and return back to the clothing.

Who gets pediculosis?

Anyone may become louse infested under suitable conditions of exposure. Pediculosis is easily transmitted from person to person during direct contact. Head lice infestations are frequently found in school settings or institutions. Crab lice infestations can be found among sexually active individuals. Body lice infestation can be found in people living in crowded, unsanitary conditions where clothing is infrequently changed or laundered.

How is pediculosis spread?

For both head lice and body lice, transmission can occur during direct contact with an infested individual. Sharing of clothing and combs or brushes may also result in transmission of these insects. While other means are possible, crab lice are most often transmitted through sexual contact.

What are the symptoms of pediculosis?

Usually, the first indication of an infestation is the itching or scratching in the area of the body where the lice feed. Scratching at the back of the head or around the ears should lead to an examination for head louse eggs (nits) on the hair. Itching around the genital area should lead to an examination for crab lice or their eggs. Scratching can be sufficiently intense to result in secondary bacterial infection in these areas.

How soon do symptoms appear?

It may take as long as two to three weeks or longer for a person to notice the intense itching associated with this infestation.

For how long is a person able to spread pediculosis?

Pediculosis can be spread as long as lice or eggs remain alive on the infested person or clothing.

What is the treatment for pediculosis?

Medicated shampoos or cream rinses containing pyrethrins or permethrin are preferred for treating people with head lice. Products containing pyrethrins, permethrin or malathion are available over-the-counter, but those containing lindane or malathion are available only through a physician’s prescription. Lindane-based shampoos are not recommended for infants, young children, pregnant women, lactating women, the elderly, persons with HIV or seizure disorders, persons who have very irritated skin or sores where the lidane will be applied and persons who weigh less than 110 pounds. Retreatment after 7 to 10 days is often recommended to ensure that no eggs have survived. Nit combs are available to help remove nits from hair. Dose and duration of shampoo treatment should be followed carefully according to label instructions.

What can be done to prevent the spread of pediculosis?

Physical contact with infested individuals and their belongings, especially clothing, headgear and bedding, should be avoided. Health education on the life history of lice, proper treatment and the importance of laundering clothing and bedding in hot water or dry cleaning to destroy lice and eggs is extremely valuable. In addition, regular direct inspection of children for head lice, and when indicated, of body and clothing, particularly of children in schools, institutions, nursing homes and summer camps, is important.

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Analysis 522419

The crab test is the determination of IgE antibodies to the corresponding allergen.

Crabs are crustaceans that live in salty sea water (although there are species that live in fresh water). They are covered with a thick exoskeleton, have ten legs and one pair of claws. Snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) are the most widely used species from the Oreoniidae family.

Crabs are one of the most popular crustaceans consumed by humans, accounting for one fifth of all marine crustaceans caught, farmed and consumed worldwide. Crab meat is valued for its soft, tender and sweet taste. A distinction is made between white crab meat, which is obtained from claws and legs, and brown crab meat, which is obtained from the body. White meat has less fat, but brown meat has more omega-3 fatty acids. The orange or yellow eggs of the female crab can also be eaten.

The preparation of crabs for eating differs from region to region. Some species are eaten whole, while others only use certain parts, such as the claws. Imitation crab, also called surimi, is made from minced fish that has been processed and colored to resemble crab meat, but usually does not contain real crab meat. Exposure to crab allergens can also occur in occupational settings, such as dust and sewage from seafood factories.

Most of the characterized shellfish allergens are found in the edible body parts (muscle areas) of various shellfish species. The main allergen in shellfish, tropomyosin, is present in the claws and tail of crabs, and arginine kinase is found in the leg muscles of the crab.

Crab is a strong allergen, sometimes causing dramatic manifestations. It can also be considered an occupational allergen for food workers. Shellfish allergy is one of the most common food allergies and usually persists throughout a patient’s life. Most people (about 60%) with shellfish allergies experience their first allergic reaction in adulthood.

Symptoms can be severe and potentially life-threatening, including anaphylaxis. Even a very small amount of shellfish can provoke a reaction. Ingestion of crab in sensitized individuals may result in skin reactions including urticaria, angioedema, eczema, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting), systemic reactions (anaphylactic shock), and respiratory symptoms.

Exposure to steam while cooking shellfish has been reported to cause an allergic reaction in some cases due to the presence of allergenic proteins in the steam. Fishermen, processors, shellfish grinders, cooks and even restaurant workers are at risk of developing allergic reactions to shellfish. Smoking may increase the risk of developing snow crab occupational asthma, while atopy may increase the risk of developing occupational snow crab allergy.

Children with seafood allergy have increased levels of specific IgE antibodies with a greater diversity of epitopes than adults. Generally, there are two types of epitopes in food allergens: sequential and conformational. Sensitization to consecutive epitopes is associated with persistent allergy, and the patient may recognize more consecutive IgE epitopes. It has been found that in elderly patients with persistent food allergies, sensitization to specific sequential IgE epitopes is different from that of children, who may outgrow their allergies.

Common major allergens have been identified in crabs, crayfish, shrimp and lobsters. Tropomyosin is cross-reactive among various species of the mollusk family (especially crustaceans) such as shrimp, crabs and lobsters due to identical amino acids (up to 95-100%). In addition, tropomyosin, an invertebrate panallergen, is responsible for cross-reactivity between food and animal aeroallergens.

In invertebrates (crustaceans, molluscs, mites and cockroaches), tropomyosin and arginine kinase are cross-reactive panallergens due to similar phylogenetic identities. Studies have shown that tropomyosin and arginine kinase cross-react with Portunus pelagicus (blue swimming crab) allergens.

Patients allergic to the crustacean family often react to shellfish groups (such as squid or cuttlefish, abalone, snails, oysters, mussels, scallops, clams) as well as mites, cockroaches and parasites.

• Identification of allergens that may cause characteristic symptoms of an allergic disease.
• Suspicion of food allergies in both adults and children.
• Assessing the risk of developing an allergic response to crabs and other seafood.
• Children with food allergies in their parents.
• Doubtful results of skin tests.

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Coronavirus: why pharmacists need horseshoe crab blue blood and how it will help the Covid-19 vaccine?

July 8, 2020

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Image copyright, Getty Images

They have ten eyes, are 60 centimeters long, have lived on Earth for over 300 million years, and they do indeed have pale blue blood, which is highly valued in pharmacology and saves our health .

No, this is not science fiction, but ordinary, good old science. Meet horseshoe crabs, or, as they are also called, horseshoe crabs – although, strictly speaking, they are not actually crabs, but their closest relatives are arachnids.

People are very dependent on horseshoe crabs, or rather, on their blood, which, among other things, is used to determine the purity of medicines, and now also to create a potential coronavirus vaccine.

However, each medal has a downside, in this case it is the life of the horseshoe crabs themselves, who also have their blood (in fact, hemolymph, which is actually a cross between blood and lymph).

Therefore, wildlife conservationists want to end the practice of “milking” these crabs (let’s call them that for convenience).

What are the benefits of horseshoe crabs?

Image copyright, Getty Images

Photo caption,

Some of us, quite possibly, owe their lives to these creatures and don’t even know it

The blood of these “living fossils” has a unique property: it coagulates when it enters even the smallest amount of pathogenic bacteria or other foreign microorganisms, turning into jelly. Thus, the immune system of horseshoe crabs protects other organs from damage.

Using extracts made from the cells of this hemolymph to test new medicines, scientists can be absolutely sure that they have not got bacteria or their metabolic products, which can then harm a person.

Only horseshoe crab blood possesses this amazing property.

Therefore, every year, thousands of these crabs are caught at sea and sent to American laboratories, where some of their blood is taken and then released into the wild.

The reagent extracted from the hemolymph of horseshoe crabs is highly valued – the cost of one liter of Limulus amebocyte lysate is about 15 thousand dollars, which makes it one of the most expensive medicines in the world.

Image copyright, Getty Images

Image caption,

About 30% of horseshoe crab’s hemolymph is extracted in the “milking shop”

What happens to “donors” afterwards

but these animals.

At first, experts thought that almost all horseshoe crabs survived this forced donation. Another ability of these sea creatures is that they give exactly as much blood as they can give without harming their health.

However, according to recent estimates, up to 30% of individuals die as a result of this procedure.

Other studies have shown that after blood sampling, female crabs are less likely to mate.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption,

Scientists estimate the age of horseshoe crabs at 300-450 million years, which makes them one of the oldest species on Earth.

“Right now they are milking about half a million crabs,” lamented Dr. Barbara Brammer, who leads an environmental group in New Jersey, where most of the American horseshoe crabs are caught.

In an interview with the BBC she lamented that no does not know exactly how blood sampling affects the future life of crabs after they are released.0006

As a result, American horseshoe crabs are approaching the threshold beyond which they can be officially considered endangered.

At the same time, large pharmaceutical companies point to statistics, according to which the number of horseshoe crabs has remained at the same level over the past summer.

Is it possible to find an artificial substitute?

Research to create an artificial analogue of extract from horseshoe crab hemolymph has been going on for a long time, but the real breakthrough came only in 2016.

Scientists have succeeded in creating a substitute that has been approved for use in Europe. Some American pharmaceutical companies have also begun to use it.

Image copyright, Getty Images

Image caption,

The blood of these “living fossils” is indeed blue due to its high copper content.

What’s the problem then?

And the fact is that in June of this year, the organization responsible for the safety of medicines in the United States (Food and Drug Administration, or FDA), said that it could not guarantee that the substitute works as reliably as like a natural product.

Therefore, all companies that sell their drugs in the US are required to use horseshoe crab blood for purity testing.

The same goes for any potential coronavirus vaccine: whoever invents it will be required to test it in the old tried and true way if they want to sell their product to millions of Americans.

Dr. Brammer wants to force the American authorities to reconsider their approach, especially since in other countries the artificial substitute is already widely used.