Pubic lice, also known as "crabs", live on or near body hair, usually in the pubic area. Pubic lice may also live on the hair of the thighs, chest or armpits.
They are different from head or body lice.

Pubic lice are very small (the size of a pinhead). They are reddish-brown or light gray in color and can be seen moving in the hair. They live for about 3 weeks. They survive for about 24 hours off the body.

Adult pubic lice lay eggs called "nits". Nits look like small, brown dots that cannot be pulled or washed off the hair. Nits hatch after 7-10 days.

Pubic lice are generally spread by skin-to-skin contact during sex with an infected person.

Sometimes pubic lice are spread when people share bedding, clothing or towels.

It may take several days for symptoms to appear. Symptoms include:

• itchiness that is worse at night;
• dark red dots on your skin or in your underwear.

To detect pubic lice, the pubic hair is examined for signs of lice or nits.

Pubic lice and nits are treated with a special medicated shampoo or lotion. These shampoos or lotions are available at a drugstore and do not require a prescription.

Talk to a pharmacist if you are unsure of what product to buy or if you are pregnant.

Read the label of the shampoo or lotion and do exactly what the directions tell you to do. More than one treatment may be needed if symptoms do not go away. Do not treat more than twice in one week.

Sexual partners or anyone who has shared a bed, clothing or towel with the infected person must also be treated at the same time.

Wash clothing, bedding and towels that were used before and after treatment in hot soapy water and dry in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes.

Bedding or clothing that cannot be washed should be dry cleaned or packed loosely and sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.

Vacuum mattresses and other sleeping surfaces. Do not use household lice sprays.

To avoid getting pubic lice, have no sexual or close contact with an infected person.

To reduce the risk, do not share towels, bedding or other personal items.