Pubic lice or crabs

Pubic lice, also called “crabs”, are tiny biting insects that can live in the pubic hair on your genitals. They can be very itchy and irritating to the skin.

They are easily treated with ointment you can get from a doctor or pharmacy. 

Pubic lice are mostly spread by close skin-to-skin contact – usually during sex. 

Do I need an STI test?

Pubic lice are insects that like to live in pubic hair and body hair. They’re sometimes called “crabs”.  

Pubic lice are mostly spread by close skin-to-skin contact. They’re usually spread during sex, but can also be spread by sharing bedding, towels, or clothing.  

If you have pubic lice, your symptoms could include:

• Intense itching around your genitals
• Tiny bite marks
• Tiny spots of blood caused by lice bites 

You might notice lice moving around in your pubic hair or tiny eggs left by the lice. 

You can’t test for pubic lice. You need to see a nurse or doctor in person so they can look at your pubic area.  

If you have symptoms of an STI, make an appointment with:  

• your usual doctor 
• a medical centre 
• Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa  
• a sexual health clinic 

Find a provider

If you find out that you have pubic lice, it’s easy to treat with a special ointment.

You can see your usual doctor or another treatment provider, and it can also be bought over the counter at a pharmacy. 

Because pubic lice can be spread through clothing and bedding, you’ll also need to use a hot wash to clean your clothes, bed sheets, and towels. 

• Don’t have sex until after you have killed all the pubic lice on your body

• If it's safe, tell people that you have had sexual contact with recently that they should check for pubic lice. 

What to do if you test positive

Pubic lice are easy to catch.

They spread easily through close skin-to-skin contact, or through sharing clothing, bedding, or towels that have been used by someone with a pubic lice infection.

Condoms and oral dams won’t protect against pubic lice.

It’s important to get tested for STIs anytime you have sex with a new person, and before and after unprotected sex. 

When to get an STI test