Pubic Lice or "Crabs"

What Is It?

• Small blood-sucking louse that somewhat resembles a crab when closely examined because they have six legs; front ones are larger than the others
• Three stages of life-cycle: eggs (nit), nymph (immature) and the adult stage; can be multiple colors of red, reddish-brown, brown or black, eggs are usually white
• Spread mainly through sexual contact, but can be spread by sharing of clothing or bedding of an infected person
• They can only live away from a host body for about 8 hours.
• Can be treated with special shampoos and/or mousse that kills the adults and eggs

If Left Untreated?

• You can spread them to other people
• The infestation can become worse
• You can develop secondary infections from scratching the skin

How Do I Reduce My Risk?

• Almost always passed during sexual contact; avoid sexual contact
• Avoid sharing clothing and bedding with an infected person