3 minutes read3 minutes readSummary:
- Pubic lice can be considered an STI because they often spread through sexual contact.
- Condoms don’t reliably prevent pubic lice because they spread through skin and hair contact.
- Pubic lice are treatable, but affected people should avoid sexual contact and clean bedding, towels, and clothing.
Sex can get messy – really messy. On top of the social and emotional mores you have to navigate, there are always the looming health concerns, like potential pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
There are a lot of STIs out there, along with a lot of other infections that can be passed on during sex. And it’s hard to know which is which, much less how you should respond to them.
One question we get frequently at Better2Know is whether pubic lice are an STI, and whether they can be passed on through sex.
What are pubic lice?
Pubic lice, also known as “crabs”, are tiny insects that live in coarse body hair on the human body, especially in the pubic area. They can also live in other coarse body hair, such as the armpits, chest, beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes, but not on the scalp. They’re very small, usually no more than two millimetres long, with a grey-brown colour. Pubic lice feed on human blood and can affect hair-bearing skin, creating intense itching and irritation.
What are the symptoms of pubic lice?
Symptoms of pubic lice can include:
- Itching, which often starts one to three weeks after infestation and may worsen at night
- Pale blue spots or dark red marks on the skin from lice bites
- Small white dots at the base of your hair (lice eggs)
- Dark red or brown spots in underwear, which can be lice poo
Are pubic lice considered an STI?
Yes, pubic lice can be considered an STI because they can spread through sexual contact, like vaginal and anal sex. Unlike other STIs, though, getting a pubic lice infection doesn’t require the exchange of bodily fluids. They can also spread through close body contact or contaminated clothes and bedding.
It’s important to note that using condoms and other forms of contraception won’t protect you from getting pubic lice. While condoms will cover some of the male genitals, they won’t cover every bit of skin where pubic lice may reside.
How do you treat pubic lice?
Most infestations of pubic lice can be treated with certain creams, ointments, or shampoos that you can get at a pharmacy. Most treatments require you to use the medicated substance on your whole body, including your facial hair and scalp, to target all lice, and leave it in for several hours before washing it off. If your infestation is particularly bad, you may need a prescription from a doctor to treat it.
What else do I need to do to prevent pubic lice and avoid spreading pubic lice?
If you think you have pubic lice in your pubic hair, you should avoid sex or any kind of sexual contact until the infestation has cleared. You’ll also want to tell any sexual partners you’ve had in the last month about your infection. They may want to get tested and treated themselves.
Since lice can also live on surfaces, you should thoroughly wash any clothes, bedding, and towels in hot water. Any items you feel might be contaminated should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least a week – pubic lice survive only briefly away from the human body, so spraying insecticide for rooms is unnecessary.
FAQs
Can pubic lice lead to another infection?
Pubic lice don’t spread disease themselves, but scratching irritated skin can sometimes cause sores that may become infected.
Can I get pubic lice from a toilet seat?
This is extremely unlikely because pubic lice need human warmth and blood to survive and are not well-suited to moving on smooth surfaces.
Do pubic lice go away on their own?
No, pubic lice usually need treatment.
Should I get tested for other STIs if I have pubic lice?
It’s always a good idea to consider STI testing, especially if you may have caught pubic lice through sexual contact.
Can shaving get rid of pubic lice?
Shaving is not usually enough to remove pubic lice because lice and eggs can remain on other coarse body hair or affected areas.
Final thoughts
Pubic lice can be considered an STI, and it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and those you care about from this infection.
If you are worried about STIs, you should get tested with Better2Know today. Call the number at the top of this page and speak to one of our Sexual Health Advisors today. They will be able to help you choose the right STI screen and clinic for you.
This article was appeared on 02/02/2024. Last updated 17/07/2026.
