Pubic lice, also known as crabs, are a type of STD that attach to body hair and can cause itching or inflammation. Treatment involves medicated shampoos or creams, and infested items should be washed to prevent recurrence. Safe sex practices can reduce the likelihood of contracting crabs.
Crabs are a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD) also known as pubic lice or genital crabs. Like lice, they are a type of parasite that can attach themselves to the hair of both men and women. Unlike head lice, however, pubic lice attach themselves to body hair, which in addition to pubic hair can include hair on the arms, legs, and underarms. Crabs are a relatively harmless type of STD that cause itching or inflammation in the affected areas. The treatment is quite simple and consists of medicated shampoos, usually available without a prescription, which kill the lice and their eggs.
Genital crabs are parasitic creatures that feed on human blood, scientifically known as Pediculosis pubis. They are extremely easy to transmit through sexual activity because they can spread from one skin to another. Because they are transmitted through direct physical contact, they are unaffected by condoms. Public lice can live away from a host for a short time and can then spread through contact with undergarments, clothing, or bedding.
The most common symptom of contracting crabs is itching in the genital region. Although quite small, the crabs themselves can be seen crawling at times and are usually dark gray in colour. Their egg sacs often appear as tiny white or yellow specks attached to individual hair shafts. Blue marks on the skin may appear where crabs have bitten into the skin to feed. More serious symptoms are rare, but could include swelling of the skin similar to other insect bites or raw skin caused by frequent scratching.
Treatment of pubic lice involves the use of specially formulated shampoos or creams which are usually left on the affected areas for a period of around 10 minutes before being washed off. These treatments kill the lice and their eggs to prevent the infestation from recurring. Such treatments are available over the counter, although some preparations require a doctor’s prescription. Shampoos should be applied to all body regions where symptoms have occurred, not just the pubic area. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid irritating the sensitive surfaces of your genitals.
Pubic lice can easily return to the body if infested items such as clothes or bedding are not washed. Washing your bedding or clothing before treatment will help prevent a recurrence. Practicing safe sex habits aimed at reducing the incidence of all STDs can reduce the likelihood of contracting crabs.
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