Dear Anne
I think I may have crabs and I need to try and find out some information on how to stop the lice and kill them, but I'm too scared to visit my G.P. Please can you give me some advice? Anonymous
Dear Anonymous
Pubic lice or crabs are annoying but they're easily treatable. The itching is due to their habit of burying their eggs under your skin, so that the larvae then have to tunnel their way out as they approach maturity.
You can buy quick and effective treatments at the chemist's but you will need to talk to the pharmacist. Pubic lice can be caught from seats, carpets or shared clothing as well as by sexual contact so please don't be embarrassed. The chemist will be dealing with this situation dozens of times a day and surely it's much less embarrassing to ask for treatment than to be the kind of person who doesn't do anything about it? It's OK to choose a quiet time when there aren't many other customers about.
It's important to wash all bedding, underwear, clothing, towels and bed-linen on the day you begin treatment. You may find that hoovering the mattress and the area around your bed gives you a little more peace of mind too. And until the treatment's complete you would be well advised to refrain from sexual intercourse so that you neither spread the lice nor catch them again. If you're with a regular partner, both of you having treatment at the same time is a good idea.
I'm sure that you'll soon be rid of this annoying problem and can get on with enjoying the rest of your life. Good luck! Back to Ask Anne
