Pubic lice

Pubic lice video.

Pubic lice, commonly known as crabs, are easily passed from person to person by close body contact (or even sharing a bed – as they can survive off the body for 24 to 48 hours). The legs of the lice grip hairs like pincers and they are mainly found on the pubic hair, body hair and, rarely, eyebrows and eyelashes, but they are not found on the hair of the head. The lice crawl from hair to hair, but they don’t jump or fly from person to person.

There may be no symptoms or you may feel itchy in the areas that the lice are and you may be able to see the lice and their eggs. You may also find spots of blood in your underwear.

You can treat yourself with a lotion or shampoo over the counter from most pharmacies. You do not have to be seen by your GP, but it is still advisable to visit a sexual health clinic to be tested and potentially treated for other STIs.

Bed linen and recently used clothing should be put through a hot wash of 50 degrees or more. Treatment is successful for most people. You may experience itching afterwards but this does not necessarily mean that the lice have come back. If current sexual partners are not treated it is likely the pubic lice will come back again during close body contact.

If you have any concerns about pubic lice or any other STIs, you should make an appointment at a local clinic to confirm and speak to any partners about it. If you would like to make an appointment at any one of our clinics, please call 0300 303 0251 (line open: Mon – Thurs: 8am–4:45pm and Fri: 8am–3:45pm). A list of all clinic times and venues is on the Services page of this website.