Quick Answer: Yes, pubic lice (crabs) still exist in 2025. They cause intense itching, visible bugs or nits in coarse hair, and red bumps that often mimic STDs. While not technically an STD, crabs are sexually transmitted and should always prompt screening for other infections.
Why Did Everyone Stop Talking About Crabs?
For a minute, it seemed like crabs were going extinct. In the 2010s, thanks to widespread pubic hair removal and a cultural shift toward “clean” grooming, cases dropped hard. People assumed they were gone. But like your ex’s hoodie in your closet, they just got quieter, not gone.
Now in 2025, Phthirus pubis, yes, that’s the actual name, are still showing up in STI clinics, dorm rooms, saunas, and the occasional hotel towel. They love coarse hair: pubes, yes, but also armpits, chests, beards, and even eyelashes. And while crabs aren’t classified as a “disease,” they’re definitely transmissible.
Most people don’t report them. Why? Because they’re embarrassed, or worse, they mistake the symptoms for something else. That delay means more itching, more transmission, and more confused late-night Googling.
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What Pubic Lice Actually Feel Like
It usually starts with an itch. Not the kind you can ignore, this is fire-ant-on-your-crotch kind of itching. The kind that wakes you up at 3AM wondering if you’re allergic to your sheets, your soap, or your hookup from last weekend.
As the lice dig in, you might notice:
- Intense itching in the pubic area, often worse at night
- Red or bluish bite marks, tiny, clustered spots around the base of pubic hair
- Nits (eggs) attached to hair shafts, especially near the root
- Actual bugs, small, crab-like insects visible with a mirror or magnifying glass
(Note: This list will be woven into narrative or table format in final rendering; temporary bullets shown here for scannability during build phase.)
It’s not just the itching, it’s the wrongness of it all. You might start obsessing, checking the mirror, Googling photos (don’t), and second-guessing every sensation. And here’s the kicker: crabs are often confused with scabies, herpes, chlamydia irritation, or even just razor burn. That’s why getting tested for STDs is a smart move, even if you’re pretty sure it’s just lice.
“I Thought It Was Razor Burn… Then I Saw Legs”
Jake, 29, a personal trainer in Austin, first noticed the itching after a pool party weekend. He’d shaved two days earlier and assumed it was just irritation from sweat, chlorine, and tight shorts. But when it didn’t stop, and started spreading to his thighs, he got worried.
“I looked with a mirror and saw this tiny dot moving. Like, actually moving. I nearly threw my phone.”
Jake had pubic lice. And like most people, he felt gross. Ashamed. “I thought I was clean,” he said. His doctor was unbothered: “This happens. You’ll treat it, clean your sheets, and move on.”
Crabs don’t mean you’re dirty, promiscuous, or reckless. They just mean a parasite got access to the one thing it needs to live: hair.
Are Crabs Still Common in 2025?
According to a global review published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases, pubic lice still affect 1–2% of sexually active adults, especially those ages 18 to 35. That may sound small, but it translates to millions of people, and that’s just the ones who show up in studies.
The CDC doesn’t track crabs with the same urgency as chlamydia or HIV, but clinics still report steady cases, especially in:
- College dorms or shared housing
- Communal gyms, sex clubs, and bathhouses
- Casual hookups where partner history isn’t discussed
Important note: Crabs aren’t linked to hygiene or income. You can shower twice a day and still end up with them. All it takes is skin-to-skin contact, and enough hair to hang on to.
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Crabs vs. Other Itchy Diagnoses: What Else Could It Be?
Here’s the real problem with pubic lice: they’re sneaky. Not because the bugs themselves are hard to kill, but because the symptoms look a lot like other stuff. That’s why so many people panic about herpes, treat for a yeast infection, or assume it’s just razor burn… all while the bugs keep partying in your pubes.
So let’s break it down. Here’s how pubic lice stack up against the usual suspects:
| Condition | Main Symptoms | Visible Signs | Testing & Diagnosis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pubic Lice (Crabs) | Intense itching, especially at night | Small bugs, nits on hair shafts, red bites | Visual exam or magnification |
| Scabies | Itchy rash on wrists, groin, elbows, waist | Burrow tracks, bumps in webbing of fingers | Skin scraping or clinical diagnosis |
| Genital Herpes | Burning, tingling, followed by blisters | Clear fluid-filled sores or ulcers | Swab or blood test |
| Shaving Rash / Folliculitis | Localized redness, itchy bumps | Small pimples or ingrown hairs | Visual identification, resolves quickly |
| Chlamydia / Gonorrhea | Discharge, burning while peeing | Rarely causes external itch or rash | Urine or swab test |
If you’re just going by how things feel, you’ll probably guess wrong. A flaky rash? Could be lice. Could be scabies. Could be nothing. But you won’t know without checking, and testing for STDs at the same time is just smart protocol.
Remember: pubic lice won’t show up on a blood test or urine sample. But herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and others will. So even if you’re pretty sure it’s crabs, cover your bases. Rule out the big stuff.
How to Treat Pubic Lice in 2025 (Without Melting Down)
Let’s make one thing very clear: crabs are treatable. You don’t need a hazmat suit or a trip to the ER. But you do need to be thorough, because if you miss even a few eggs (nits), those little jerks will be back in 7–10 days like clockwork.
Here’s the standard treatment plan in 2025:
- Step 1: Buy a lice-killing cream or shampoo with 1% permethrin from a pharmacy.
- Step 2: Apply it to all affected areas, yes, front and back. Leave it on as directed, then rinse.
- Step 3: Repeat in 7–10 days to kill any newly hatched lice that escaped round one.
If over-the-counter treatments don’t work, a doctor might prescribe:
- Malathion lotion (more potent, but smells like gasoline)
- Oral ivermectin (especially if you have lice on eyelashes)
And don’t forget the cleanup. You’ll need to:
- Wash clothes, towels, and bedding in hot water (at least 130°F)
- Vacuum upholstered furniture, mattresses, and car seats
- Avoid close contact or shared fabrics for 2–3 days
This isn’t just about killing bugs, it’s about breaking the cycle. Lice reproduce fast, and their eggs are tough. Miss a few, and you’ll be itching again by next weekend.
Should You See a Doctor?
If the itching is unbearable, if you’re seeing bugs near your eyes or eyebrows, or if treatment didn’t work the first time, go see a provider. And while you’re there, get tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and anything else your last few partners didn’t mention.
Pubic lice often ride shotgun with other infections. They’re not just annoying on their own, they’re a signal that you’ve had close enough contact to pick up something else.
Prefer to test privately? You can grab a home test kit and check yourself for the most common STDs in minutes, no clinic, no wait, no awkward stare from reception.
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Can You Get Crabs Without Having Sex?
Short answer? Yes. Longer answer? It’s rare, but possible. While pubic lice usually spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact, there are exceptions. These tiny parasites can survive for up to 48 hours on fabric. So technically, if you share a towel, sleep in someone else’s bed, or throw on a roommate’s swimsuit, you could pick them up.
Still, the vast majority of cases trace back to physical intimacy. That doesn’t mean full-on sex, crabs don’t care if you’re “just cuddling,” grinding, or fooling around without penetration. If your coarse body hair meets someone else’s? That’s enough.
So no, you’re not necessarily “gross” if you got crabs. But yeah, they usually came from someone else’s body, not a rogue gym towel. Probably.
Breaking the Stigma: Why People Don’t Talk About Crabs
Out of all the things that make people avoid seeking treatment, shame tops the list. Pubic lice are often seen as a punchline, something from the 1980s or bad teen movies. But in reality, they’re still affecting millions. The problem? Nobody wants to admit it.
It doesn’t help that crabs carry the same shame-loaded baggage as other STIs: fear of judgment, assumptions about cleanliness, and anxiety about who gave it to whom. But let’s be real: if you’ve ever had sex, or been naked near someone who has, you’ve been at risk.
The more we normalize talking about it, the faster people get treated, and the less they suffer needlessly.
Crabs Prevention in 2025: It’s About More Than Just Shaving
There’s a popular myth that shaving your pubes makes you immune to crabs. While it can reduce your risk (lice need hair to cling), it’s far from foolproof. Pubic lice can just relocate to armpits, thighs, chest hair, or even your lashes if they’re feeling adventurous.
So what actually helps you avoid them?
| Prevention Method | How It Helps | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Routine STD screening | Catches other infections that might co-occur with crabs | Doesn’t detect lice directly |
| Limiting close contact with new partners | Reduces direct lice transmission | Not realistic for all relationship styles |
| Avoiding shared towels or bedding in casual spaces | Helps prevent rare non-sexual spread | Only useful in high-risk environments (e.g., saunas, hostels) |
| Hair trimming or removal | Makes it harder for lice to hold on | Doesn’t eliminate risk entirely |
| Honest partner conversations | Builds trust and helps flag symptoms early | Requires vulnerability (but it’s worth it) |
The most powerful tool? Being informed and unashamed. If your groin gets itchy after a hookup, don’t panic, just get it checked. And don’t ghost someone if you realize you might’ve passed something on. Be honest, be human, and be part of the solution.
Common Myths About Pubic Lice (Still Going Strong in 2025)
For a parasite the size of a sesame seed, crabs have attracted a whole lot of misinformation over the years. Here’s what people still get wrong, plus what’s actually true.
| Myth | Why It’s Wrong | What’s True |
|---|---|---|
| “Only dirty people get crabs.” | Cleanliness has nothing to do with it. | Crabs spread through contact, not hygiene. |
| “Shaving prevents crabs.” | They can move to other hairy spots. | Hair removal reduces risk but doesn’t eliminate it. |
| “They’ll go away on their own.” | They lay eggs that keep reinfesting you. | You need medicated treatment and a follow-up. |
| “If I don’t see bugs, I’m fine.” | Nits and bites may be the only signs at first. | A magnifying glass or clinician can confirm. |
| “You can catch crabs from toilet seats.” | Lice can’t live long off the human body. | Transmission happens from close contact or shared fabrics. |
FAQs
1. Can I get crabs if I used a condom?
Yes, 100%. Crabs don’t care about condoms,they’re all about contact. If your pubes touch their pubes (or armpits or chest), that’s a green light. Condoms protect against STDs, not parasites with claws.
2. How do I know it’s not herpes?
If you’re staring at red bumps and wondering, here’s a quick gut check: herpes usually starts with tingling, then turns into painful blisters or open sores. Crabs? They crawl, bite, itch like hell, and leave visible eggs on hair. If you’re still not sure, get checked,there’s no shame in knowing for sure.
3. Can I test for crabs at home?
Not like you would for chlamydia or herpes. There’s no swab or blood test for lice,you (or your doc) have to spot them with the naked eye or a magnifier. But if you’re itching, you can still rule out the big STDs with a home test kit. Cover your bases.
4. Are crabs dangerous?
Nope. They’re annoying, itchy, and incredibly inconvenient,but not dangerous. They won’t wreck your fertility, cause cancer, or give you long-term damage. But yeah, they will ruin your sleep and your vibe if you don’t deal with them.
5. When do symptoms start after exposure?
Itching can start in a few days,or take over a week if the eggs hatch slowly. Some people feel fine at first, then suddenly can’t stop scratching. That’s why a second treatment round is non-negotiable.
6. Do I really have to tell my partner?
Look, it’s awkward. But yes, tell them. Not because you’re trying to assign blame, but because you’re doing them a favor. If they’ve got crabs too, you’ll just keep reinfesting each other like a terrible ping-pong match.
7. Can pets get pubic lice?
Nope. Your dog isn’t the culprit, and your cat didn’t bring them in. Crabs are strictly human parasites. You’ll need to treat your body, not your beagle.
8. What if I’ve shaved everything?
Nice try, but crabs can relocate. Think armpits, chest hair, eyebrows, even eyelashes in extreme cases. Shaving can lower your risk, but if there’s hair anywhere, they’ll find it.
9. Could I have gotten them from a hotel bed or towel?
Technically? Yes. Realistically? Rare. Lice don’t survive long without a warm body, but they can hang on to fabric for up to 48 hours. So if you flopped onto a borrowed towel or used the mystery robe at the spa… maybe.
10. Why does this feel so shameful?
Because we’ve been taught to associate bugs + bodies with dirtiness, and that’s total crap. Crabs don’t care who you are, how clean you are, or how long it’s been since your last hookup. They just want hair. You’re not dirty,you’re human.
Crabs Are Itchy, But You’re in Control
Crabs didn’t vanish in the grooming craze of the 2010s. They didn’t get replaced by herpes or gonorrhea. They’re still here, quiet, crawly, and ready to pounce on your pubes if the opportunity’s right.
The good news? They’re beatable. With the right shampoo, a hot laundry cycle, and smart sexual hygiene, you can kick them to the curb in under two weeks. Just don’t ignore the symptoms. And don’t assume it’s “just a rash.”
If your groin’s sending out warning flares, listen. Whether it’s crabs, herpes, or something else entirely, you deserve answers, not guessing. Get checked, get treated, and get on with your life.
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How We Sourced This
We built this guide using the latest available information from medical journals, public health databases, and firsthand clinic reports. Around fifteen reputable sources helped shape the science and symptom comparisons. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most relevant and reader-friendly sources to support your next step toward clarity and care.
Sources
3. Acute Scrotum Pain – StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf)
4. Pubic Lice (Crabs) – MedlinePlus
5. A clinical review and history of pubic lice (Pthirus pubis) | PubMed
Reviewed by: Dr. Marisol Vega, MPH, Clinical Epidemiologist
Written by: Dr. F. David, MD
