Crab Lice

What is Crab Lice

Crab lice are small insects that live in coarse body hair (pubic, underarm and on hairy legs and chests). They have also been found in beards and eyelashes.

What are the Symptoms of Crab Lice

• Black powder in your underwear: caused by their faeces.
• Minute specks of blood in your underwear: crab lice live by sucking blood.
• White dots fixed to the pubic hair: these are nits, the hatched eggs.
• Scabbed bite marks.
• Itching, this may not develop for two to three weeks.

What are the Causes of Crab Lice

Sexual contact is the most common way they are spread, although they may be transferred via other types of body contact. It is occasionally possible for them to be spread by clothing or bedding.

Traditional Medical Treatments for Crab Lice

Lotions and shampoos are available to kill the crabs and their eggs. A lotion is applied to the skin, especially the hairy areas, and left on for 12 hours before washing off. This can be repeated one week later. If using shampoos, carefully follow your doctor's advice and the instructions on the pack.