Symptoms:

• Eggs (nits) or actual adult lice may be seen
• Itching in area covered by pubic hair (often gets worse at night)
• Skin reaction that is bluish-gray in color
• Sores (lesions) in the genital area due to bites and scratching

Signs and tests:

An examination of the outer genital area typically reveals small gray-white oval eggs (nits) attached to the hair shaft. It may also reveal adult lice. The health care provider might also see scratch marks or signs of an infection such as impetigo.

Because pubic lice may cause an eye infection (blepharitis) in young children, their eyelashes should be examined with a high-powered magnifying glass for evidence of lice.

Adult lice may be easily identified under the microscope. Their crab-like appearance is the reason that pubic lice are referred to as "the crabs."