What is the medical term for crabs. Pubic Lice: Medical Term, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

11.09.202317.07.2023 by alexxlab

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

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Understanding Pubic Lice: The Medical Term and Basic Facts

Pubic lice, scientifically known as Pthirus pubis, are tiny parasitic insects that infest human body hair. Commonly referred to as “crabs” due to their crab-like appearance, these pests primarily inhabit the pubic region but can also be found in other coarse body hair areas.

These insects measure about 2mm in length and have a grayish-brown coloration, making them challenging to spot with the naked eye. Unlike head lice, pubic lice do not infest scalp hair.

Where Do Pubic Lice Typically Live?

Pubic lice most commonly inhabit the following areas:

Pubic hair around the genitals
Chest hair
Armpit hair
Facial hair, including beards and mustaches
Eyebrows and eyelashes (in severe cases)

Identifying Pubic Lice: Key Symptoms and Signs

Recognizing the presence of pubic lice is crucial for prompt treatment. While these parasites can be difficult to spot, several symptoms may indicate an infestation:

Intense itching, particularly in the pubic region
Small red or blue spots on the skin (lice bites)
Visible lice eggs (nits) attached to hair shafts
Dark spots in underwear (lice feces)
Crusted or sticky eyelashes (if affected)

The itching associated with pubic lice often intensifies at night, disrupting sleep and causing discomfort. If you experience persistent itching in the pubic area or notice any of these symptoms, it’s advisable to seek medical attention.

Can Pubic Lice Be Seen with the Naked Eye?

While pubic lice are small, they can sometimes be visible to the naked eye. However, a magnifying glass or lens may be necessary for a definitive identification. Healthcare professionals often use specialized combs and magnification tools to detect these parasites during examinations.

Transmission of Pubic Lice: Understanding the Spread

Pubic lice are primarily transmitted through close physical contact, with sexual activity being the most common route of transmission. However, it’s important to note that these parasites can also spread through other means:

Intimate skin-to-skin contact
Sharing contaminated clothing, bedding, or towels
Close physical proximity in crowded living conditions

Contrary to popular belief, pubic lice cannot jump or fly. They can only crawl from one person to another when there is direct contact or when sharing infested items.

Is Sexual Contact the Only Way to Contract Pubic Lice?

While sexual contact is the primary mode of transmission, it is not the only way to contract pubic lice. Non-sexual close physical contact or sharing personal items with an infested individual can also lead to infestation. This is why it’s crucial to exercise caution and maintain good hygiene practices, especially in shared living spaces.

Diagnosing Pubic Lice: The Medical Examination Process

If you suspect a pubic lice infestation, seeking medical attention is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. The diagnostic process typically involves the following steps:

Visual examination of affected areas
Use of a magnifying lens to identify lice and eggs
Combing through pubic hair to collect specimens
Microscopic examination of collected samples

Healthcare professionals may also inquire about recent sexual contacts and recommend testing for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as a precautionary measure.

Why is Professional Diagnosis Important?

While over-the-counter treatments are available, a professional diagnosis ensures accurate identification of the problem. This is crucial because other conditions, such as scabies or folliculitis, may present similar symptoms. A healthcare provider can differentiate between these conditions and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Treatment Options for Pubic Lice: Effective Remedies and Procedures

Once diagnosed, pubic lice can be effectively treated using various methods. The most common treatments include:

Medicated creams or lotions (pediculicides)
Prescription shampoos
Oral medications (in severe cases)

Treatment typically involves applying the medication to the entire body, leaving it on for a specified period, and then washing it off. A second application is usually required after 7-9 days to ensure all lice and eggs are eliminated.

How Long Does It Take to Treat Pubic Lice?

The duration of treatment can vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the chosen method. Most treatments require two applications spaced about a week apart. Complete eradication of pubic lice usually occurs within 2-3 weeks of starting treatment. However, it’s essential to follow the prescribed treatment regimen and attend any follow-up appointments to ensure complete elimination of the parasites.

Preventing Pubic Lice: Strategies for Avoiding Infestation

While it can be challenging to prevent pubic lice entirely, several measures can reduce the risk of infestation:

Practicing safe sex and limiting sexual partners
Avoiding sharing personal items like clothing, towels, or bedding
Washing and drying clothes and bedding at high temperatures
Maintaining good personal hygiene
Regularly inspecting the pubic area for signs of infestation

It’s important to note that condoms and other barrier methods of contraception do not provide complete protection against pubic lice, as these parasites can inhabit areas not covered by these devices.

Can Pubic Lice Be Prevented Through Regular Grooming?

While regular grooming and hygiene practices are beneficial for overall health, they do not guarantee prevention of pubic lice. These parasites can infest even the cleanest individuals if exposed. However, regular self-examination can help in early detection, allowing for prompt treatment and reducing the risk of spreading the infestation to others.

Pubic Lice and Sexual Health: Implications and Considerations

The presence of pubic lice can have several implications for sexual health:

Increased risk of other sexually transmitted infections
Psychological distress and impact on intimate relationships
Need for partner notification and treatment
Importance of abstaining from sexual activity during treatment

It’s crucial to inform recent sexual partners about the infestation to prevent re-infection and further spread. Healthcare providers can offer guidance on partner notification and provide resources for comprehensive sexual health care.

Does Having Pubic Lice Indicate the Presence of Other STIs?

While pubic lice infestation does not directly cause other sexually transmitted infections, it can be an indicator of potential exposure to other STIs. The presence of pubic lice suggests close intimate contact, which may have also exposed an individual to other sexually transmitted pathogens. For this reason, healthcare providers often recommend comprehensive STI testing for individuals diagnosed with pubic lice.

Myths and Misconceptions About Pubic Lice: Separating Fact from Fiction

Several myths and misconceptions surround pubic lice, which can lead to stigma and misinformation. Some common myths include:

Pubic lice can jump or fly (they can only crawl)
Only unhygienic people get pubic lice (anyone can contract them)
Pubic lice can be transmitted through toilet seats (this is extremely rare)
Shaving pubic hair prevents lice infestation (it may help but doesn’t guarantee prevention)
Pubic lice can live for long periods away from the human body (they typically die within 24-48 hours without a human host)

Educating oneself and others about the facts surrounding pubic lice is crucial for effective prevention, treatment, and destigmatization of this common parasitic infection.

Are Pubic Lice Related to Poor Hygiene?

Contrary to popular belief, pubic lice infestation is not directly related to personal hygiene. These parasites can affect anyone who comes into close contact with an infested person or their belongings, regardless of cleanliness. Good hygiene practices may help in early detection but do not prevent infestation. It’s important to dispel this myth to reduce stigma and encourage open discussion about pubic lice and sexual health.

Understanding the facts about pubic lice, their transmission, symptoms, and treatment options is crucial for maintaining sexual health and preventing the spread of these parasites. By staying informed and seeking prompt medical attention when necessary, individuals can effectively manage and prevent 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

About Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB)

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Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB)

CRAB Home
About CRAB
for Health Professionals

About CRAB

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is a type of bacteria commonly found in the environment, especially in soil and water.

A. baumannii can cause human infections of the blood, urinary tract, lungs, wounds, and other body sites.

People can be colonized with A. baumannii, which means the organism is found on the body but is not causing any symptoms of disease. Colonization can lead to infection.

Antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii is a serious concern, as the bacteria can be resistant to multiple antibiotics, which makes infections with this multidrug-resistant bacteria very difficult to treat.

Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, or CRAB, are highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria for which few treatment options exist.
- Carbapenems are a group of antibiotics often reserved for treating multidrug-resistant A. baumannii infections.
- Some CRAB are resistant to all available antibiotics.
- CRAB is one of just five pathogens listed as an “urgent” threat in CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistant Threats in the United States (PDF) report.

Carbapenemase-producing CRAB (CP-CRAB) are a type of CRAB that produce an enzyme (carbapenemase) that can break down carbapenems and other antibiotics, rendering these bacteria highly antibiotic resistant.
- There are several different types of carbapenemases found in CRAB. The MDH Public Health Laboratory tests CRAB isolates for the presence of carbapenemases. Visit CRAB Isolate Submission and Laboratory Testing for more information.

Transmission of CRAB

Patients colonized or infected with CRAB can spread the bacteria to other patients via the contaminated hands of health care workers, through contaminated medical equipment, or a contaminated health care environment.

Implementing infection prevention and control measures is critical to preventing CRAB transmission in health care facilities. Visit CRAB Information for Health Professionals for more information.

People Most at Risk

Healthy people usually do not acquire CRAB infections or colonization. Most CRAB infections are healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occurring in people who have underlying medical conditions or certain types of healthcare exposures, such as:

Immunocompromising conditions.
Recent frequent or prolonged stays in health care settings.
Invasive medical devices such as breathing tubes, feeding tubes, and central venous catheters.
Open wounds from surgery.
A history of taking certain antibiotics for long periods of time.

More about CRAB

CDC: Acinetobacter in Healthcare Settings
Overview of clinical features, transmission, and prevention.

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.

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.

Everything is very simple – their blood. Surprisingly, the mesmerizing blue color – due to the high copper content – is not the most attractive feature of horseshoe crab blood. What scientists are most interested in is the “amoebocytes” it contains. These specialized cells protect horseshoe crabs from bacteria and viruses by gelling and coagulating around these invaders, preventing them from spreading and multiplying in the crab’s system. This immune defense mechanism is not unusual in animals. The uniqueness of the amoebocytes in horseshoe crab blood lies in their extreme sensitivity to lethal endotoxins (cell wall molecules of certain bacteria) and the rapid and violent clotting that occurs once they enter their bloodstream.

The Atlantic horseshoe crab, currently classified as Vulnerable, is just one level away from Critically Endangered, soon to be followed by Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild and Extinct if no action is taken soon. The fate of this species will be in jeopardy if we don’t reevaluate current LAL harvesting practices, and it’s not only humans that will suffer when this species goes extinct. Many coastal birds, fish and turtles that feed on horseshoe crab eggs will also be affected by their extinction.

However, this is not all bad news. In 1995, researchers at the National University of Singapore were able to identify and isolate the gene responsible for the sensitive blood clotting that characterizes LAL. This gene, known as “factor C”, was synthesized in yeast, leading to the creation of “recombinant factor C” (rFC). Synthetic CFL differs from organic CFL in that instead of clotting in response to the presence of endotoxins, synthetic CFL causes the endotoxins to emit fluorescent colors.

Although its discovery was a major breakthrough, regulatory and safety concerns regarding this alternative to LAL have slowed the mass adoption of synthetic LAL. Europe did not recognize rFC as an alternative to LAL until 2015, and the USFDA only approved the first drug tested with rFC in 2018. In 2020, the USP, which sets the scientific standard for drugs in the US, refused to recognize rFC as equivalent to LAL, insisting that its safety has not yet been proven. This is despite the fact that their European, Japanese and Chinese counterparts have recognized and accepted the use of synthetic LALs.

What is the medical term for crabs. Pubic Lice: Medical Term, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention