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Conditions

Phthirus Pubis

A tasty specimen of a pubic louse (Photo courtesy of CDC)

You can catch pubic lice through close body contact, such as during sex, because condoms – whilst offering effective protection from most STIs – cannot prevent infestations of lice (or ‘crabs’ as they’re otherwise known). Thankfully, the crabs we’re talking about aren’t sizeable crustaceans with nipping claws, but tiny grey-brown insects, about 2mm long, that live by sucking blood from the skin. You’ll find them living mainly in the places you’d expect, such as in the coarse hair of your pubes or around your anus, but they can also live on the abdomen and the back, in the armpits, on the head, and on eyelashes and eyebrows. If you now feel like hitting the shower and scrubbing yourself vigorously, I’m afraid it won’t wash the lice away. But if you suspect you’ve got a circus of lice in your underwear, then you should consult your GP, who may prescribe you an insecticidal lotion or cream to treat yourself with.

If you’re suffering from any of the conditions featured on this site and want to apply for an onscreen consultation with one of the EB team then you can find more details here >>

Remember that you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

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i always feel really itchy on the skin in and around my pubic hair, what is this?





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im really worried because i shaved down below and when my pubic hair started to grow back red spots appeared and i dont know what they are :/





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Hi :) When you shave your skin gets very irritated sometimes so that might be what it is dont worry this is normal and when people shave it happens all the time :) You might just have sensitive skin :)

hi i think i have crabs but i am not sure. i have not had sex but have a rash and red spots which sometimes bleeds. it is really itchy and stings aswell. is this crabs ? please help !!!





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i have had crabs befor and let me tell you, you panic at first but you then carlm down just go and see your doc and they will give you tha advice you need ok i hope those that do have crab lice have a happly ever after





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i dont understand what i have but im 16, but inbertween my ballsack and legs my pubic hair has a layer that looks like white crust, its it smells allot to i have searched it on the internet and the results i have found is that it might be called "trichomycosis pubis" and its off lack of washing, but i have a bath everyday, but i also found it mostly happens in hot countries, but i sweat allot, could that be the reason?





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I have crabs but the annoying thing is my pubes really hurt and all my hair hurt e.g. head hair, arm pit hair and leg hair. I've done nothing to the hair. It just hurts and under my pubes just my pubes when I lift them up I have little lumbs and on my scrotum I have littler lumps.





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I do not have crabs but I have looked through all of the viruses/diseases to do with the penis and associated area and I cannot find what I have wrong with me. I have what appears to be small cracks on my penis head.when I am not errect they seem almost invisable but when I am erect they appear bigger and stand out they do not hurt they cause no problems as far as I can tell but they are not particularly attractive I have not had sex/any sexual activity. I just want to know what’s wrong and how to get rid of it.





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First comment sounds like thrush.





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I have a lump that has a crust on it in my pubic hair it is mot sore but weeps now and again and is off puttihg to get my waxing done please help.





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i think i am infested with crabs im 14 and have had sex but only oral (gave not recieved) would i have caught crabs by this??? x





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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