It has always been a curiosity and a complicated matter whether black people get lice or not! Before revealing the answer of the question let’s discuss lice and things related to them. Several factors are related to the question which need to be understood before we can determine the answer.
What are lice?
‘Lice’ are the plural form of word ‘Louse’. They are wingless tiny insects 1 to 3 millimeters long. They live in the hairy parts of the bodies of humans and animals. They have 6 legs with claws at the end to stay attached to the hair shaft.
How do we get lice?
Lice can only crawl on our body as they don’t have wings to fly. They move rapidly and can spread quickly from person to person. They are only able to live on mammals and lay their eggs. They can’t survive more than 48 hours after being removed from the body.
Below are some of the main ways to get lice:
- Putting heads together.
- Using the bedding of someone with lice.
- Using of same cloth; especially towel.
- Sharing combs.
- Sharing hair decorations, such as hair bands, barrettes, etc.
- Using hats, helmets, or headphones of someone who has lice.
How do they grow?
What are the signs and symptoms?
There are some common signs and symptoms that can be seen when someone has lice. Few of the major signs and symptoms are given below:
- Itching of the scalp can be the primary sign.
- Tiny red spots or bumps can be seen on the scalp, even on the neck or shoulders.
- Finding eggs (nits) or lice while combing.
- Sometimes lice can be seen behind the ears.
- Irritated feeling while sleeping.
Can black people get lice?
Well, after a detailed discussion about lice, one may generally assume the answer but the actual answer is yes; it’s true that black people get lice but the rate is low when compared with white people. The fewer number of black people who catch hair lice depends on few factors:
- The main reason for getting fewer lice is their pores and follicles. The pores and follicles of black people have a different function compared to white people. They keep their hair and scalp wetter than other Russian or European descent.
- There is another reason which keeps black people safe from lice. That is their hair are more tightly coiled and it is difficult for lice to navigating the scalp.
- African Americans are more likely to use Vaseline, pomades, and hair gels. These products make the hair less hospitable to head lice.
According to a survey reported in 1985, only 0.3% of African American students get hair lice compared to 10.4% of Caucasian boys and girls!
How harmful are they?
Although it is true that lice don’t cause any major disease but carrying lice for a long time may lead you to some major diseases. These are some effects of getting lice of which to be aware:
- In USA, to prevent the spreading of lice, most schools have a “No Nit Policy”, but many experts express no support to it as they think it’s not necessary to follow strictly. Parents usually don’t send their kids to school until they are cured.
- Lice can bring diseases like louse-borne typhus fever, relapsing bubonic plague, and trench fever. An irritated feeling while sleeping.
- Lice will make you itching even while sleeping.
- Difficult for kids to be focused on study due to itching.
- Scratching even a single red spot will increase the itch and irritation.
The cure
Lice can be cured taking several steps at home or even taking medicines. Below are some of the methods.
Home remedies
- It is very difficult to say and follow, but we should not be so close to lice affected person, especially kids while playing, keep them away of them although it’s tough to maintain.
- Avoid using the bedding of the sufferer.
- Do not use the same cloth, especially towel.
- Not to share comb. Avoid using same hair decoration kits from affected person.
- Don’t use their hats, helmets or headphones etc.
Medicines
Even after following the remedies mentioned above it may be necessary to use some of these medicines recommended by a doctor.
Medicines which you should be used as directed by doctor:
- Malathion – rub into hair and scalp before rinsing off.
- Benzyl alcohol lotion – a lotion to apply to your hair and scalp for 10 minutes and then rinse off.
- Lindane – a shampoo to use as prescribed.
You may also use these essential oils to get effective results:
- tea tree oil
- lavender oil
- neem oil
- clove oil
- eucalyptus oil
- aniseed oil
- red thyme oil
- cinnamon leaf oil
- peppermint oil
- nutmeg oil.
Conclusion
As we knew from this discussion it is rare to find lice in black people. All that is left to be said is to be aware of the main ways of avoiding lice and not getting infested by them. A simple step can protect us from future disease.
Can Black People Get Lice ? Here we have an answer.
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