Pubic or “crab” lice are parasitic insects that survive by feeding on human blood. Pubic lice are different parasites than head or body lice and are usually found in the pubic hair but can also be found in other coarse body hair like eyebrows, beard, chest or armpit hair.
The test for pubic lice is a visual examination. Your health care provider will usually remove a hair or a few hairs with nits to examine under a microscope.
Nits take about one week to hatch and two weeks for mature lice to appear. Testing can be done immediately during an exam. It is a good idea to have a follow up appointment after being treated for lice to make sure they are all gone.