Crabs, also known as pubic lice, are tiny insects that infest pubic hair and can cause itching and discomfort. They are spread through close personal contact and are highly contagious. Many people wonder if shaving pubic hair can get rid of crabs or if they will stay even after shaving. Here is a comprehensive look at the answer.
Can Shaving Get Rid of Crabs?
Shaving your pubic hair does not necessarily get rid of crabs. Since crabs attach themselves to the base of the hair shaft, shaving only removes the visible part of the hair above the skin. The part of the hair below the skin remains intact for the crabs to cling onto. So shaving provides only a temporary visual effect of removing the infestation.
Additionally, crabs can survive up to 24-48 hours without a human host. So even after shaving, any stray crabs that fall off can survive for a couple of days as they search for a new host. Overall, shaving is not an effective method to get rid of a crab infestation.
Do Crabs Stay After Shaving?
Yes, crabs do stay after shaving infected pubic hair. As mentioned earlier, shaving only removes the visible portion of the hair. It does not kill or remove the crabs clinging onto the hair shafts under the skin. The parasites remain firmly attached to the lower end of the hair follicle.
In fact, shaving can exacerbate the itching and discomfort caused by the crabs. The rough ends of shaved hair can poke and scratch the skin, irritating it further. The crabs may also move to adjacent hairy areas like the thighs, buttocks, armpits or facial hair. So shaving provides only temporary cosmetic relief without eliminating the infestation.
Other Methods to Get Rid of Crabs
If shaving is ineffective, what are some other methods to get rid of crabs?
- Medicated shampoos and creams – Products like permethrin, crotamiton, lindane can help kill crabs when applied thoroughly.
- Oral medications – Ivermectin and other oral anti-parasitic medications may be prescribed to kill the lice.
- Combing – Fine-toothed combs can help remove nits and eggs caught in the hair.
- Hot laundry – Washing clothes and bedding in hot water kills stray lice.
- Household cleaning – Vacuuming and disinfecting upholstery, mattresses etc.
A combination of topical applications, oral meds and thorough cleaning of the living space is required to get rid of crabs completely. Treatments need to be repeated after a week or two to kill any larvae that may have hatched from eggs remaining in the hair follicles.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Crabs
Some natural ingredients may help supplement medical treatments for crabs:
- Tea tree oil – Has insecticidal properties that can kill lice when applied topically.
- Garlic – Contains allicin that has anti-parasitic effects.
- Apple cider vinegar – Acetic acid can help eliminate lice and nits when used as a rinse.
- Coconut oil – Smothers lice and makes it tough for them to cling onto hair.
- Mayonnaise – The thick texture suffocates lice and makes them lose grip.
However, these home remedies alone may not be powerful enough to destroy a full-blown crab infestation. They are best used along with medicated topical treatments.
How to Prevent Getting Crabs Again
After getting rid of crabs, you can take some precautions to prevent re-infestation:
- Avoid sexual contact until all signs of infestation are gone from both partners.
- Wash underwear, pajamas, bedding etc. in hot water.
- Use disinfectant sprays on upholstery, mattresses and rugs.
- Throw out any old underwear or hair brushes.
- Trim and maintain pubic hair short.
- Use condoms during sexual contact.
- Get checked again after a week to ensure lice are gone.
Also, inform any recent sexual partners so they can also get tested and treated if required. This will help prevent passing the lice back and forth.
Signs that Crabs are Gone
How do you know if the treatment has worked and crabs are finally gone? Here are some signs:
- No more itching or skin irritation in pubic area.
- No visible lice or nits in pubic hair on close inspection.
- No signs of lice in eyebrows, armpits or other body hair.
- No rash or spots on skin near genitals.
- No crawling sensation in underwear or pubic area.
- No bites or welts on thighs, buttocks etc.
An absence of symptoms for 2-3 weeks after finishing all treatments is a good indication that the crabs have finally been eliminated.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if:
- Symptoms don’t improve after a week of self-treatment.
- Infestation has spread to eyebrows, eyelashes, beard or mustache.
- Excessive itching is disrupting sleep or daily activities.
- Signs of skin infection like pus-filled bumps or swollen lymph nodes.
- You are pregnant and unsure which medications are safe.
- Someone else in the household also shows symptoms.
The doctor can prescribe stronger medications, confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions causing similar symptoms.
Best Practices to Prevent Pubic Lice
You can follow some hygienic practices to prevent getting crabs in the pubic area:
- Trim and shave pubic hair periodically.
- Avoid sharing towels, linens, undergarments etc.
- Shower after sex to wash away any lice.
- Use protection during sexual contact.
- Dry shower and pool areas thoroughly after use.
- Get checked if your partner has crabs.
- Wash hands frequently to prevent spread.
The Takeaway
To summarize, shaving does not get rid of crabs. It only temporarily removes visible hair growth containing the lice. Crabs remain firmly clung to the base of the hair shafts under the skin. Thus, crabs do stay even after removing the hair through shaving.
To eliminate a crab infestation, you need prescription topical creams, oral medications and thorough cleaning of living space. Home remedies can provide some relief when combined with medical treatments. Avoiding close personal contact until the infestation clears can prevent reinfection.
Maintaining good genital hygiene and getting checked regularly are key to prevent crab lice in the pubic area. See a doctor if symptoms persist despite treatment. Catching and treating crabs early can help get rid of them faster before they multiply.