Size
1/8″
Color
Tan to grayish-white
Description
They have six legs and look like tiny crabs, thus the nickname “crabs.” Pubic lice are parasitic in nature and infect humans around the world. Pubic lice is one of the most common infections in today’s adolescents and young adults. Usually pubic lice are transmitted sexually, but can sometimes be transmitted from sharing certain things, such as infested bedding, toiletries, and clothing.
Behavior
Pubic lice will feed on human blood. The bites caused by them will cause severe itching. This itching can possibly cause secondary infections. An adult female, called a louse, will lay eggs, called nits, attached to the base of hair. Nits are usually oval in shape, yellow to white in color, and are very difficult to see without a microscope. The eggs will hatch about one week later and they mature into adults after 7 days. Pubic lice need a human host to survive. Animals can’t host pubic lice. They will only survive 24 to 48 hours after falling off their human host.
Habitat
Pubic lice are mostly found in the genital area on pubic hair. Sometimes they can be found on other parts of the body with coarse hair, such as on the legs, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, armpits, and mustache. It is a common sign of sexual exposure or abuse if pubic lice is found on the eyebrows or eyelashes of children.
Control Advice
A physician should be contacted for diagnosis and treatment if pubic lice are noted. A pest control company can not do anything for a pubic lice infestation. Usually a prescription wash or shampoo is used for the treatment of this parasite. Bedding and clothing in contact with the infested person should be washed in hot water and soap. Normal cleaning products used for sterilization around the house will work fine to rid pubic lice. Use good personal hygiene for prevention of pubic lice and use protection if you are sexually active. Anyone testing positive for pubic lice should also be checked for other sexually transmitted diseases.