Symptoms Of Pubic Lice

The symptoms of pubic lice are mostly annoying and can keep you up all night. Pubic lice, also known as crab lice or simply crabs because of their similar appearance to the crustacean, are a bothersome parasite that are usually passed through close genital contact. They can also be transmitted by sharing a bed, clothing or towels, although that's less frequent. Pubic lice can become a problem in shared housing, dormitories and gymnasiums where bedding or towels may be shared. Crab lice are small and fast moving and hard to see. You usually won't know you have them until you're affected by the symptoms of pubic lice.

1. The most obvious symptom of pubic lice is an itching genital region. Crab lice pass through three life stages: the egg, which is called a nit, the immature nymph and the adult. The nymphs and adults feed on blood. As they do so, it causes an itchy reaction in most people. The itching will often get worse at night, as the crabs are more active at that time. However, it should be noted that some people don't react at all and don't suffer from the itchy symptoms of pubic lice.
2. When adult crab lice find their way onto your body, the females begin laying eggs. They attach the nits to the shaft of the pubic hair near the skin. If you suspect pubic lice, you should examine the pubic hair closely, looking for nits. They will appear as tiny white or pale yellow blobs attached to the pubic hair.
3. Faintly blue blotches or a rash around the affected area is another symptom of pubic lice. It's something else you can keep an eye out for as you check for nits.
4. Pubic lice can live in other parts of the body, too. The armpit, head and even beard are all possible sites for pubic lice to hang out. Incredibly, crabs have even been found on eyebrows and eyelashes. If you have any symptoms of pubic lice, you should check these areas too. Infection of the eyelashes can cause the eyes to become irritated and inflamed.
5. Symptoms of pubic lice are different for everyone. You may have symptoms immediately after infection, or you may not notice until two to four weeks later as the nits begin to hatch.