Itchy Manhood Issue: Are Crabs Common at College?

Going off to college is a major step in the lives of many men. It’s an exciting time, but one that inevitably raises questions and concerns for guys who are "out on their own" for the first time. And with many men becoming more sensually engaged during college years, a lot of those questions revolve around male organ health and avoiding embarrassing issues. For example, no guy wants a seriously itchy manhood – and especially when it is caused by crabs. So one question that arises is whether crabs are a common "thing" at college? And if they are, what does a guy need to do to avoid them? Or treat them, if he’s not successful at avoiding them?

A college thing?

So is crabs a college thing? Is a guy more likely to pick up crabs than before or after attending college? The answer is yes – but not necessarily as much of a thing as a person might think.

To understand why, it’s important to understand a little about crabs and the itchy manhood situation they cause.

Crabs

Crabs are lice that resemble tiny little crabs in shape. But these crabs are so small that they’re very hard to see – although they do make their presence known!

Crabs are parasites that like to hang out on the male organ, sacks and general midsection area. They are most often found near midsection hair and their diet is a person’s blood. Crabs are found in three stages:

• Nits, which are the eggs of the lice and are generally attached to a hair shaft. They are oval in shape, usually yellow or white, and very hard to see.
• Nymphs are the newborn lice. This stage lasts about 2-3 weeks after hatching.
• Lice are the adult version of the pest. But people usually use the phrase "crabs" to refer to the lice at any stage in their development.

How they spread

Crabs are most often spread through skin-on-skin contact, usually through sensual contact. So a man who has sensual activity with a partner with crabs runs a very high risk of contracting them (and passing them on to new partners). Because many people find a significant rise in their sensual activities when they go to college, there is a greater proportional risk of getting crabs.

In some cases, a person can get crabs through non-sensual means, such as by sharing clothing, towels, or bed linens of a person who is infected. Again, because roommates often share such items – and because, let’s face it, guys at college typically don’t do the best job of washing and cleaning these items! – this also increases the risk of getting crabs at college.

Prevention and treatment

The best way to prevent the itchy manhood that comes with crabs is to avoid sensual contact with an infected person and not share their items. Wearing a latex protection can also offer some defense; however, since these lice often live in the midsection, this is no guarantee of safety. It also helps to regularly wash and clean clothing, bedclothes, towels and the like.

Treatment typically involves using medication (in shampoo or gel form) specifically designed for crabs; many over-the-counter versions work well. Thoroughly washing clothing and other possibly infested items is also required. These medications generally do a good job of killing crabs. A doctor may need to prescribe a prescription version for tougher cases.

College students who get an itchy manhood due to crabs can help alleviate the itching by using a high level male organ health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). A crème with both a high-end emollient (such as Shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E) can soothe the itching. One that contains a potent antioxidant (like alpha lipoic acid) helps strengthen male organ skin which also diminishes itching.

Visit http://www.menshealthfirst.com for additional information on most common manhood health issues, tips on improving male organ sensitivity and what to do to maintain a healthy member. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous websites.

Visit http://www.man1health.com for additional information on most common male organ health issues, tips on improving male organ sensitivity, and what to do to maintain a healthy male organ.