Crabs are parasites that can be found in the genitals and pubic area in humans. Sometimes it is also possible to see them on other parts of the body where thick hair grows like the legs, mustache, beard, eyebrows, eyelashes and armpits. They are usually spread through sexual contact from person to person, but they can also be spread through dirty towels, clothes and bed sheets. Like lice, the main signs of the presence of lice are itching as well as nits (their eggs) and lice visible in the infested area. There are different treatments for lice, from medications to natural home remedies.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Choose a treatment
Step 1. Buy a lotion that contains 1% permethrin
Products that contain permethrin, pyrethrins or piperonyl butoxide are very effective against lice. You can buy it as a lotion, cream, or foam that contains permethrin without a prescription, or you can ask your doctor to prescribe it. Permethrin inhibits nerve impulses in lice which affects their breathing, in other words, they suffocate and die. You can try some brands like Rid, Nix or Pyrinex.
Read and follow the directions on the packaging of any products you buy with or without a prescription. If you have any questions about the use of the product, ask your doctor or pharmacist
Step 2. Consider using 0.5% malathion lotion (Ovid)
Malathion kills crabs and some nits. Malathion is only approved in some countries for use on lice, but its efficacy against lice has also been shown.
- Read and follow the package directions for any products you buy with or without a prescription. If you have any questions regarding the use of any product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Malathion lotion is flammable, so you should not use it near open flames or sources of heat.
- 0.5% Malathion Lotion should only be used on individuals over 6 years of age.
Step 3. Ask your doctor about ivermectin
If none of the creams or lotions work, ask your doctor if you can use ivermectin. Ivermectin is a prescription drug that comes in tablet form. A single dose of two tablets is usually sufficient to treat the problem. Among the most commonly used brands are Heartgard and Stromectol.
- Read and follow the package directions for any products you buy with or without a prescription. If you have any questions regarding the use of any product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Oral ivermectin for the treatment of lice may not be approved in your country, but it has been shown to be effective. Children weighing less than 15 kg are not usually prescribed ivermectin. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take it either.
Step 4. Use shampoo
Ask your doctor if you can use Lindane shampoo or lotion if nothing else has worked. Lindane is a prescription drug that is now used as a last resort treatment. It is very effective in treating lice, but it can also cause side effects in the nervous system, such as seizures. For this reason, Lindane is not used as the first choice treatment against lice. Its use should be restricted to individuals who have not responded to other treatments or who cannot tolerate other drugs that pose less risk. You should not use Lindane on the following individuals:
- premature children
- people who suffer from chronic attacks
- pregnant or breastfeeding women
- people with skin irritation or ulcers where Lindane is to be applied
- people who weigh less than 50 kg
- If your doctor has prescribed Lindane for you, it is probably because the benefits outweigh the risks you take, but you should discuss this with your doctor if you have any concerns about this product.
- Read and follow the package directions for any products you buy with or without a prescription. If you have any questions regarding the use of any product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Method 2 of 4: Get rid of crabs
Step 1. Wash your genitals
Wash your genitals well before applying any lice lotion or cream. The skin will absorb the lotion better if you have removed dirt and dust from your skin and pubic hair.
Right after washing your genitals, be sure to dry them well, as most creams and lotions should be applied to clean, dry hair
Step 2. Apply your chosen product against crabs
Read and follow the instructions exactly for the product you have chosen in order to reap the full benefits. Remember to ask your doctor if you have any questions regarding the use of this product.
Thoroughly saturate the infested area by following the directions on the product packaging
Step 3. Stick to the duration
Pay attention to how long you have to leave the product on your pubic hair. Shampoos should probably only be left on for 10 minutes, but lotions and creams can take 8-14 hours to work. Note the time you apply the product and set a timer or watch your watch.
Step 4. Rinse off the medicine and dry well
Once you have let the product work for the set amount of time, rinse it off with lukewarm water. Rinse off the product to remove dead lice and nits on the skin. It is important to remove dead parasites that are on the skin, as they could cause hygiene problems if left there.
- Make sure to separate the towels you have used from the rest of your laundry. Wash these towels separately to avoid contaminating your other clothes and the rest of your laundry.
- In some cases where the lice are at the base of the hair, you can remove them simply by using your fingernails or a fine-tooth comb.
Step 5. Put on new, clean clothes
Make sure you put on new, clean underwear and clothing to prevent the infestation from returning. You should immediately put in the washing machine all the clothes you wore when you had crabs.
Step 6. Wash any tissue that might be contaminated
Infested clothes, sheets and towels should be washed in hot water. The hotter the water, the better. Use water of at least 55 ° C. All clothes and linens should be tumble dried until completely dry.
- You should wash all the fabrics that you have used two or three days before the treatment.
- Infested sheets, quilts and rugs should be stored in a plastic bag for one to two weeks to kill crabs. This way they cannot feed themselves and they will die.
Step 7. Repeat the treatment if there are still cysts
You can repeat all of these steps in a week. Follow the directions on the medicine pack or given to you by your doctor. Even if you think you have gotten rid of the crabs, it would be better if you repeat the treatment to be sure.
It is possible that the lice will move to another location before returning right after your genitals have been treated. However, this does not happen often
Method 3 of 4: Use natural remedies
Step 1. Comb your pubic hair
If you only have a few crabs, using a lice and nits comb is the easiest and cheapest way to treat these parasites. This treatment is very time consuming, as it may take you up to 14 days to get rid of these parasites by hand. This technique is usually combined with other natural treatments.
Step 2. Apply petroleum jelly
Vaseline suffocates lice in pubic hair. Apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly to the pubic hair. Make sure that it covers the base of the hairs so that it is easier for you to remove the lice with a comb. You can apply petroleum jelly as many times as you want to get rid of crabs and their nits.
Be aware that you should not use petroleum jelly to treat lice that are in the eyebrows or eyelashes, as it can irritate your eyes. However, your doctor may prescribe petroleum jelly made specifically for eye contact that you can apply to the eyebrows and eyelashes
Step 3. Trim your pubic hair
Try to cut your pubic hair as short as possible to increase the effectiveness of treatment for lice, whether natural, over the counter, or prescribed by your doctor. It is important to note that you cannot effectively treat lice just by shaving your pubic hair, as it will simply move to other areas of your body where there is hair.
Method 4 of 4: Prevent their return
Step 1. Avoid close contact or sexual contact
Since crabs are often sexually transmitted, it is best to avoid all sex until you are finished. Any close contact, such as sleeping with someone or staying too close to an infected person, increases your risk of getting them.
Although using latex or polyurethane condoms protects you against sexually transmitted diseases, condoms do not adequately protect you against lice
Step 2. Limit the number of your sexual partners
Just like any other STI, the number of your sex partners also increases your risk of catching and spreading lice. In the early stages of the infestation, it is possible not to realize the presence of crabs. That is why it would be better if you limit the number of your sexual partners.
Step 3. Tell the person you have close contact with to seek treatment
For her health, you must tell her that you are having treatment for crabs so that she will take one as well. It might be embarrassing to discuss crabs with your partner, but it helps you avoid a bigger problem. Either way, he's probably going to figure it out on his own.
Do not have sex with this person until they are treated. Both partners should undergo treatment before resuming intercourse
Step 4. Avoid sharing personal items
You should not share combs, towels, pillows and sheets with anyone if you or that person has crabs. It's always better to use your own stuff instead of borrowing it from someone else to avoid any possible problems.
Anything that may have come in contact with your hair and skin can be infested, such as brushes, combs, towels, sheets and pillows. If there is a risk, simply avoid it by sterilizing the object and keeping it to yourself
Step 5. Wash the sheets before using them again
While you sleep, crabs can roam anywhere and can settle in your bed. Before and after treatment, you must replace sheets and pillowcases and wash them properly to prevent a return of these parasites.
- Do not hesitate to wash other surfaces, for example the bathroom. You can immobilize and kill the organisms present by washing these surfaces with hot water and disinfectant.
- By washing your clothes at over 30 ° C in a washing machine with detergent and fabric softener, you will prevent the infestation from returning.
Advice
Follow all of the advice given by your doctor as well as those written on the dosage of the lotion or medication
Warnings
- Read the precautions for use on all products sold without a prescription or prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of lice. If you notice serious side effects, stop treatment and see your doctor immediately.
- The presence of lice in children's eyebrows and eyelashes is often a sign of sexual abuse, but children can also catch them from sharing an infected bed with their parents.
