Pubic Lice (Crabs) – Symptoms, Treatment & Local Care in Grand Rapids, MI

Pubic lice (often called “crabs”) are tiny insects that can infest the hair in the pubic area around the genitals. In some cases, they may also affect hair on other parts of the body, such as:

  • Armpits
  • Chest and torso
  • Beard and mustache
  • Eyebrows and eyelashes (less common)

In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, pubic lice are a relatively common sexually transmitted infestation and can affect people of any age who are sexually active.

Do Pubic Lice Affect Head Hair?

Pubic lice usually do not live in the hair on your scalp.

The medical term for a pubic lice infestation is pediculosis pubis, and the lice themselves are called Phthirus pubis. These lice:

  • Are small, flat, and light brown or grayish
  • Cling tightly to coarse hair (like pubic hair)
  • Feed on blood from the skin

When they feed, they can cause:

  • Small red spots or sores
  • Itching and irritation, often worse at night

How Pubic Lice Spread in Grand Rapids

Pubic lice are usually spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex, as well as close genital contact without penetration.

They can also spread by sharing:

  • Underwear
  • Towels
  • Bedding or blankets

This can be especially relevant in shared housing, dorms, or when staying in hotels or short-term rentals in and around Grand Rapids.

Pubic lice do not jump or fly; they crawl from hair to hair.

Symptoms of Pubic Lice

Some people in Grand Rapids with pubic lice have no symptoms and may not know they are infected. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • Itching in the pubic area (often worse at night)
  • Small red bumps or sores from bites
  • Blue or grayish spots on the skin from lice feeding
  • Irritation or a rash in the groin, lower abdomen, or thighs

Visible Signs

You may sometimes see:

  • Adult lice: tiny, crab-like insects attached to hair
  • Nits (eggs): small, oval, whitish or yellowish dots firmly stuck to hair shafts
  • Empty eggshells (nits) after lice have hatched

These may be:

  • Stuck to pubic hairs
  • Occasionally found on other coarse hair (armpits, chest, beard, eyebrows, or eyelashes)

Is a Pubic Lice Infestation Serious?

Pubic lice infestation:

  • Generally does not cause serious long-term health problems
  • Can be very itchy and uncomfortable
  • May lead to skin infections if scratching breaks the skin

Because pubic lice are usually spread through sexual contact, if you have crabs, it’s wise to get tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at a local Grand Rapids clinic.

Diagnosing Pubic Lice in Grand Rapids

Pubic lice are usually diagnosed by careful inspection of the affected area. A healthcare provider may use:

  • A bright light
  • A magnifying lens
  • A fine-toothed comb

If you think you may have pubic lice, you can seek diagnosis from:

  • Your primary care provider (for example, at Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids)
  • An urgent care clinic (Metro Health, Mercy Health, or other local clinics)
  • A sexual health or STI clinic in Grand Rapids
  • The Kent County Health Department sexual health services

Treatment for Pubic Lice

Pubic lice are usually treated with topical creams or lotions (pediculicides) that kill lice and their eggs. These are often available over the counter or by prescription.

How to Use Pubic Lice Treatments

  1. Apply the cream or lotion

    • Apply to the entire affected area (pubic region and any other infested hair).
    • Follow the instructions on the product label or your doctor’s directions.

  2. Leave it on

    • Typically left on for about 10–20 minutes, depending on the product.
    • Do not leave on longer than recommended.

  3. Rinse off

    • Wash off thoroughly in the shower or bath.

  4. Remove nits if needed

    • You can use a fine comb or your fingers to remove remaining nits from hair.

Shaving Pubic Hair

  • Shaving pubic hair is not required for treatment to work.
  • Some people choose to trim or shave hair to help remove nits more easily, but the medicated lotion or cream is the main treatment.

Second Treatment

  • Sometimes a second treatment is needed 7 days later to kill any newly hatched lice.
  • Follow product instructions or your healthcare provider’s advice.

Cleaning Clothing and Bedding

To prevent re-infestation and protect others in your household:

  • Wash clothing, bedding, and towels used in the previous 2–3 days
  • Use hot water (at least 130°F / 54°C)
  • Dry items on a high-heat setting in the dryer

Items that cannot be washed can be:

  • Sealed in a plastic bag for at least 3 days, which is long enough for lice to die without a host.

This is especially important during Michigan’s colder months when people wear more layers and share blankets more often.

When to Avoid Close Contact

To prevent spreading pubic lice in the Grand Rapids community:

  • Avoid sexual contact and close skin-to-skin contact until:
    • You have completed treatment, and
    • Your sexual partners have been treated as well.

If you still have itching or see lice one week after treatment, see your doctor or a sexual health clinic for review.

Special Care for Eyelashes – Important Safety Note

Do not apply pubic lice treatments to your eyelashes or eyebrows. These products can damage your eyes.

If you think your eyelashes or eyebrows are affected:

  • See your doctor, pediatrician (for children), or an eye specialist in Grand Rapids
  • They may recommend:
    • Special ointments safe for use near the eyes
    • Mechanical removal of lice and nits from lashes

Sexual Partners and Contact Tracing

Anyone you have had sexual contact with in the past month should:

  • Be examined for pubic lice
  • Receive treatment if needed

Current sexual partners should be treated at the same time as you, even if they do not have symptoms. This helps prevent passing the lice back and forth.

Pubic Lice and STIs

Having pubic lice does not mean you definitely have another STI, but because crabs are usually spread through sex, it’s a good time to get a full STI check-up.

In Grand Rapids, you can get STI testing and treatment through:

  • Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids clinics
  • Metro Health and Mercy Health primary care or urgent care
  • Kent County Health Department sexual health services
  • Community health centers and some Planned Parenthood locations in West Michigan

Ask specifically for an STI screening if you have had unprotected sex or multiple partners.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you’re in the Grand Rapids area and think you may have pubic lice, need treatment, or want an STI test, you can contact:

  • Kent County Health Department – Sexual Health Services
    • Offers STI testing, treatment, and sexual health education
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics
    • Provide confidential sexual health services and referrals
  • Primary care providers and urgent care centers
    • At Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health

Check each provider’s website or call ahead to ask about:

  • Same-day or walk-in appointments
  • Confidential STI testing
  • Costs and insurance coverage

Seasonal and Community Considerations in Michigan

In Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan:

  • Cold winters mean more time spent indoors and close contact, which can increase opportunities for lice to spread through shared bedding and clothing.
  • Young adults and college students (e.g., at Grand Valley State University, Calvin University, Aquinas College) may be at higher risk due to more frequent partner changes.
  • Using condoms helps prevent many STIs, but condoms do not prevent pubic lice, since lice can live on hair and skin outside the area a condom covers.

Regular sexual health check-ups and open conversations with partners are important parts of staying healthy.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Seek medical advice if:

  • Itching does not improve within a week after treatment
  • You still see live lice or new nits after following directions
  • Your eyelashes or eyebrows are affected
  • You have signs of skin infection (increasing redness, pain, swelling, pus)
  • You are pregnant, breastfeeding, or treating a child and need guidance on safe products

Key Points About Pubic Lice (Crabs)

  • Pubic lice are small parasites that live in coarse hair (usually the pubic area) and feed on blood, causing red spots and itching.
  • Some people have no symptoms and may not realize they are infested.
  • Pubic lice are usually spread through sexual contact, but can also spread via shared towels, underwear, and bedding.
  • Infestation does not usually cause serious harm, but it can be very irritating and may lead to skin infections from scratching.
  • Effective treatment includes:
    • Applying topical creams or lotions as directed
    • Washing clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water and drying on high heat
    • Treating sexual partners from the past month
  • Do not use pubic lice treatments on eyelashes; see a doctor for safe alternatives.

If you live in or near Grand Rapids, MI, and suspect you have pubic lice, contact a local healthcare provider or the Kent County Health Department for confidential advice, testing, and treatment.