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CRABS: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is Crabs?
Crabs is a sexually transmitted infection that is cause by tiny parasites. Also known as Pubic Lice, Crabs infest pubic hair and survive by feeding on human blood.

How do you get Crabs?

Crabs are transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Transmission may also occur from sleeping in an infested bed or wearing infested clothing.

What are the Symptoms of Crabs?

The major symptom of Crabs is itching in the pubic area. Itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the bites. Although the temptation to scratch yourself is great, scratching helps to spread the lice so it is important to try not to do so.

How would a person know if he or she had Crabs?

If you experience any of the symptoms described above, or you think you may have been exposed to Crabs, you should contact your health care provider immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment. Self-diagnosis of Crabs is often accurate; you may use a magnifying glass. Close self-examination will usually detect small, crab-like parasites which may be whitish-grey or rust colored. Crab nits (eggs) are small, oval in shape, and pearlescent in color. They're attached to the base of pubic or other body hair. Crabs are usually found in the pubic area, but may also be found in the hair in armpits, on heads, faces, and in eyelashes. Small "blue spots" may be found on the skin, resulting from bites. These may last for several days.

If you suspect that you have been exposed Crabs, even if you can't see any of the signs described above, you should contact your health care provider immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment - sometimes microscopic examination by a clinician is necessary to detect the Crabs.

How can you treat Crabs?

Crabs can be treated with over the counter medication, such as RID, A-200 Pyrinate, and Nix. It can also be treated with a prescription medication such as Kwell, which is applied after a hot bath or shower. Kwell is to be left on for twelve hours before being rinsed off.

Bedding, towels, and clothing should be laundered in hot water and dried in the hot cycle to decontaminate them. Vacuuming furniture and un-washables is a better alternative to fumigation and harmful pesticide sprays. Put clothes which cannot be washed in a plastic bag for two weeks to ensure decontamination.

How can I prevent myself from getting Crabs, or other infections, in the future?

There are lots of ways to avoid getting a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). The best way to keep yourself sexually healthy is to know all of your options, so that you can choose those which will work best for you. Decide ahead of time what you are and are not willing to do, and then be prepared!

Educate yourself about what's out there! The more you know about what STIs are out there, how they are spread, and what the symptoms are, the better you'll be able to protect yourself. Click back to the Virtual Health Library to learn more about other STIs. Also, CHECS counselors at the Center for Healthy Student Behaviors are always available to discuss different STIs and what you can do to avoid them.
Practice Abstinence. Not engaging in any sexual activity is the only 100% effective way to prevent contracting an STI. Abstaining is something that a person can choose to do at any point in their life. Abstaining can be very satisfying for many persons. Plus, it's free and always available.
Try Outercourse. Outercourse is sexual activity that doesn't involve genital contact or fluid exchange. Hugging, kissing, cuddling, touching, fantasy, and using your hands are all safe practices. Be creative and have fun!
Engage in Safer Sex. Using latex condoms consistently and correctly can help reduce the risk of contracting all sexually transmitted infections. That means using a condom or a dental dam the entire time, during all oral, vaginal, and anal contact! For more information on condoms and dental dams, check out the resource links at the bottom of this page.
Limit your partners. The more people you have sex with, the greater your risk of contracting an STI.
Talk to your partner. Find out if he or she has ever had an STI, and ask your partner how he or she would feel about the two of you getting tested before you decide to have sex. Talking about these issues with your partner shows that you have a lot of trust and respect for him or her. It also shows that you are concerned about his or her health as well as your own.

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