Dear katieloveshim,

Yes. Crabs — also known as pubic lice — can be spread by sex play and other intimate or close contact. They're also spread by contact with infected bedding, clothing, upholstered furniture, and toilet seats.

Under the microscope, pubic lice look like tiny crabs. With the naked eye, they appear to be pale gray but get darker when swollen with blood. They attach themselves and their eggs to pubic hair, underarm hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Their eggs are white and are deposited in small clumps near the hair roots.

Pubic lice are very contagious. Having pubic lice can be very uncomfortable and itchy because they bite and suck the blood of the person who has them. But the good news is that pubic lice can be treated with over-the-counter medicine, and they are not dangerous.

If you think you may have pubic lice, but aren't sure, you may need to go to a clinician. Call 1-800-230-PLAN to schedule an appointment at a Planned Parenthood near you.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.