Pubic Lice
The infection: Pubic lice, or crabs, are caused by an infestation of bloodsucking insects known as Pthirus pubis, cousins to head and body lice. Annual cases worldwide have declined over time, but an average 2% of the population is thought to carry them at any one time.
Symptoms and long-term effects: Itching and irritation are the main symptoms of an infestation, which is the result of a hypersensitivity to their saliva. They’re not thought to spread any diseases, though. While these lice are almost always found on pubic hair, they can sometimes manage to latch other areas of coarse hair, like the eyelashes.
How to treat it: Many over-the-counter and prescription lotions and shampoos can effectively kill adult lice, though other medications or a special comb may be needed to remove eggs (nits). There have been reports of drug-resistant pubic lice, though it doesn’t appear to be a major concern currently.
