Small, crablike organisms that attach themselves to human hairs. Crab lice usually live in pubic hair, but may also become attached to eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair in the armpits or on the face. The lice may be transmitted by direct physical contact with a person who has crab lice or contact with an infested person’s bed linens, towels, or clothes. Infestations are transmitted by direct physical contact with a person who has crab lice, especially of the genital areas during sexual activity. They are not generally transferred from furniture or toilet seats as the lice rarely survive falling from a host. Also, they do not jump from one person to another in everyday contact and are not transmitted to or from animals.