Cooked crabs are one of the most delicious delicacies in the world but there is another meaning to the term crabs and it is one that nobody likes to have on their bodies. In the medical community, crabs refer to the lice found in the pubic hair of men and women although the parasite can also be found in areas with coarse hair. Think of having lice crawling over the beard, chest and armpits as well as on the pubic area and crabs take on a sinister meaning.
Crabs are transmitted through intimate contact with an infected person, which can happen in two ways. First, the parasites can be transmitted through sexual contact since crabs make their primary home in the pubic hair. Second, the lice can be transmitted through close contact with the contaminated belongings of an infected person including towels, clothes and bed sheets. Lice are not known for being acrobatic creatures so transmission without close contact is virtually impossible.
Before following any of the following treatments for crabs, be sure to consult with a doctor. The main symptoms of crabs like itching and burning sensations on the pubic area are similar to other sexually transmitted diseases so a definitive diagnosis is necessary. Other symptoms can include burning sensations when urinating and genital discharges as well as fever.
- The first line of defense against crabs is over-the-counter lotions and shampoos that kill head, body and pubic lice. Foremost of these lice-killing products is permethrin the application of which must be strictly done according to package instructions.
- Lindane is the alternative treatment to permethrin when the latter is unavailable. However, it requires a doctor’s prescription mainly because of its toxicity and, in fact, should only be prescribed when all other treatments have failed. Its use is contraindicated in children as well as in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Applying lindane on the affected area is also shorter in duration. Leave it on for just 4 minutes before washing off with warm water. Malathion is also a prescription lotion applied on the affected area. Leave it on for 8 to 12 hours and then wash off thoroughly with warm water.
- For all of the aforementioned lotion and shampoos, the use of a fine-toothed comb to remove the lice and nits will increase their efficacy. After washing the pubic area, pass a fine-toothed comb over the area and watch how the dead lice and nits easily fall off. Continue combing every day for best results.
- Ivermectin is an oral medication prescribed by doctors. It is usually taken in a single dose consisting of 2 pills. Follow-up treatment may be necessary after 10 days if and when the first round failed to kill the pubic lice.
- Since itching is a big issue with crabs, doctors recommend taking over-the-counter antihistamines to relieve the itchy sensations. Relief from itchiness is not just about comfort because the skin can be broken with constant scratching that, in turn, can lead to secondary bacterial infections. The most common antihistamine used in crabs cases is diphenhydramine.
- Take a soothing bath with aloe vera, oatmeal or milk. Be sure to clean the tub to stop the spread of the lice.
- Dust cornstarch or baby powder on the genitals after bathing.
- Apply calamine lotion on the affected area after bathing.
- Sometimes, lice can also take up residence in the eyebrows. The best way to deal with these parasites is to apply petroleum jelly on the eyelid and eyelashes and then combing through the hair with a fine-toothed comb. Do this 3 times a day for several days.
- It is also important to adopt preventive measures against public lice. Keep in mind the following measures:
- Wash all infested linens, towels and clothes in hot water. Health experts recommend water temperatures of at least 1300F. If you are unsure, just take the infested items to a commercial laundry for hot water treatment or dry cleaning. Items that cannot be laundered should be stored in a vacuum-sealed container for at least 2 weeks, which should be sufficient time to kill the lice and nits.
- Avoid sharing of clothes, towels and bedding with infected persons.
- Avoid sexual and other intimate contact. Your sexual partner must also be treated for crabs.
When applying it, be sure to avoid the mucous membranes found at the vagina’s opening or the penis’ tip since doing so can cause side effects. Apply the lotion on the affected area, leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. The treatment should also be repeated in 7-10 days to kill the nits that may have hatched in between the treatment.
Furthermore, there are natural ways that itchiness can be relieved. Think of the following measures whenever you feel like scratching on the itch:
