Pubic lice are small, six-legged creatures that infect the pubic hair area and lay eggs. These lice can also be found in armpit hair and eyebrows.

Pediculosis - pubic lice; Lice - pubic; Crabs

Pubic lice are known as Phthirus pubis. Lice infestation is found mostly in teenagers and usually spreads during sexual activity.

Sometimes, public lice can spread through contact with objects such as toilet seats, sheets, blankets, or bathing suits at a store. However, this type of spread is rare.

Animals cannot spread lice to humans.

Other types of lice include:

• Body lice ( Pediculus humanus corporis )
• Head lice ( Pediculus humanus capitis )

Risk factors include:

• Having multiple sexual partners
• Having sexual contact with an infected person
• Sharing bedding or clothing with an infected person

Images

Crab louse, female

Crab lice

Pubic louse-male

Head louse and pubic louse

Review Date: 10/04/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)