What is Crabs?
Crabs are a sexually transmitted disease in which pubic lice, much like head lice we often get as children, infest the genital area of males or females, creating an itching sensation. During later stages of the infestation public lice can be seen crawling in the pubic area.
Known as "public lice," crabs are parasitic insects found in the genital area of humans. Infection is common and found worldwide. Although considered an STD these lice can be spread also, though less effectively, through clothing or perhaps sharing a towel. Pubic lice are generally found in the genital area on pubic hair; but may occasionally be found on other coarse body hair, such as hair on the legs, armpit, mustache, beard, eyebrows, and eyelashes. Infestations of young children are usually on the eyebrows or eyelashes. Lice found on the head are not pubic lice; they are head lice.
Animals do not get or spread pubic lice.
How is it transmitted?
Pubic lice are usually spread through sexual contact. Rarely, infestation can be spread through contact with an infested person's bed linens, towels, or clothes. A common misbelief is that infestation can be spread by sitting on a toilet seat. This isn't likely, since lice cannot live long away from a warm human body. Also, lice do not have feet designed to walk or hold onto smooth surfaces such as toilet seats.
Infection in a young child or teenager may indicate sexual activity or sexual abuse.