Head Lice and Afro Hair
Dear BSD, is it true that Afro hair can’t get head lice?
It is a complete myth that Black people can’t get head lice. Afro hair can and does get head lice, just like any other demographic. According to NHS GP and Dermatology Expert, Dr Sonia Khorana, ‘It is a really common myth that just isn’t true.’
What are head lice?
Head lice and nits as they are sometimes commonly called are very small insects that live and reproduce on hair and scalp. They are usually brown/black in colour so can be difficult to spot in dark coloured hair but they tend to make the scalp really itchy and you have the sensation of something crawling around in your hair.
Are there are differences in the type of lice Afro hair can get versus Causasian hair? No, there is only one type of lice and they don’t have a racial preference. Dr Sonia agrees, ‘head lice will be the same type for Afro or Caucasian hair if they have head lice. It’s the recurrence that can lead to the misconception that there is more than one species of head lice.’
Why does the myth exist?
There has been conflicting observational research over the years. Some studies haven’t even included people with Afro hair and other studies have. This lack of concrete data creates an information gap that sadly fuels the myth.
What we do know however, is that whilst Afro hair can and does get lice there are factors that makes it less desirable for the lice to take hold as frequently or easily as they do with straighter hair textures.
According to Consultant Trichologist Eleanore Richardson from the BSD listed Fulham Scalp and Hair Clinic this could be for a number of reasons. ‘Firstly, the tight coil and oval cross-section of Afro hair may make it more difficult of head lice to grip onto and move easily along the hair shaft whilst they lay their eggs. Secondly, Afro hair tends to more commonly styled up and away to avoid tangling; making it harder for head lice to crawl from head to head via stray and loose hairs especially amongst children. Finally, leave-in products commonly used in Afro hair can provide a less appealing environment for head lice to stay and reproduce in.’
How can head lice be treated?
Dr Sonia tells us that identifying and treating head lice is a bit harder for Afro hair, but there are a variety of treatment options.
A chemical insecticide such as Malathion 0.5% aqueous liquid (Derbac-M) or even physical insecticides such as Hedrin Once, Full Marks Solution, Vamousse Head Lice Treatment will coat the hair and suffocate the lice. It’s good to know that in the UK, these treatments are all available on the NHS if needed,
If you don’t fancy these options, then using a louse detection or nit comb such as the Nitty Gritty NitFree comb or Nitcomb–M2 is a good shout, but be mindful that it may be more challenging to use and damaging to fragile Afro hair to use these very fine tooth combs.
Richardson suggests using ‘wide toothed comb to detangle first followed up by a nit comb to catch and remove the nits and lice. Also keep shampoos and conditioners gentle as the insecticides can sometimes cause a little irritation on the scalp for those that are prone to sensitivity.’
We know there is limited imagery of head lice and Afro hair on the internet, even the NHS website doesn’t even have any specific information or images for Afro hair. It doesn’t change the fact that Afro hair can and does get head lice though; it simply highlights the lack of and need for diverse inclusion in general health education.