Pubic Lice (Crabs)
Compared to other kinds of human lice, pubic lice move slowly. If you have sexual contact with a person who has crabs, you will almost certainly get them too; however people can get pubic lice without direct contact. Sometimes the lice or their eggs land on beds, towels or clothing when pubic hairs fall out. The crabs live in coarse body hair such as pubic and anal hair, chest, thigh and underarm hair. They sometimes live in eyebrows or eyelashes but NOT on head hair.
Scabies
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by tiny mites. It takes only 3 minutes for a female mite to burrow under the skin, where she lays her eggs. The mites can occur in any part of the body, but are generally seen in creases such as between fingers, on hands and wrists, underneath the buttocks and breasts, the genitals, skin folds and toes. Scabies is passed through close physical contact. Mites can live for a couple of days in fabric and dust and can be passed to others even if you don’t have any symptoms of infestation.
Signs and Symptoms
Scabies causes an itchy rash in the body’s skin creases, which may also be accompanied by tiny spots. Scabies can look exactly like other skin rashes.
Pubic lice can be accompanied by itchy skin. Black powder may appear in the underwear caused by mite droppings; tiny blood spots may be present as well. White eggs can be found on affected hair.
Tests and Treatment
For both scabies and pubic lice, the skin will be examined and a skin flake may be taken to test for mites or lice.
Scabies requires a prescription treatment. Talk to your medical provider or pharmacist about treatments that are safe for you, particularly if you are pregnant or if you are treating a small child. To avoid re-infection, close contacts or sexual partners should also be treated.
There are special ointments used for lice in brows and lashes.
For washable clothing, bedding, towels, rugs, and toys use the HOT cycle of the washer and dryer. Dry cleaning also works. Things that cannot be washed in hot water may be wrapped in plastic bags and sealed for 3 to 4 weeks.