kikisf
Well-Known Member
After reading through a bunch of misinformation I decided to share my lice experience.
Yes, Black folks can get lice!
My 5 yo daughters hair had been itching, but since we share the same bed and I was not itching. I dismissed the possibility of lice and thought it was an allergy or eczema. Flash forward three weeks later and she is sent home from school for lice.
I used RID immediately, but when I took her to the doctor the next day she still had lice and nits. Her doctor suggested going to professionals because there are super lice which are resistant to pesticides nowadays. I called around and all the professionals only guarantee if the whole house is checked and treated (if needed). That means me, my husband, my 5 year old, and my 2 old needed to get our hair wet and combed through with an extra fine metal lice comb with special conditioner. I have a kinky weave and thick midback length 4c-z hair so I thought there was no way they could get the comb though my hair. Fortunately the ladies were black and they assured they could do it without ripping out my hair. BTW I have not had a relaxer in about 3 years, but I still have several inches of texlaxed hair on the ends that I do not intend to cut off or pull off. I had to take down my weave so they could comb though my hair
Husband didn't have it, the baby had 4-6 lice/nits, the 5yo was a severe case and Black Girl Magic saved my butt because I had none as well. Kinky textures can get lice but at least in North America they prefer smoother textured hair. I was never so happy to have nappy hair as in that moment. My daughter has thick 3a/b hair, so I guess they decided to stay in her head.
If you do have lice:
1. Don't bother with the over the counter kits. Go to the doctor and get a prescription for professional removal or the prescription shampoo that kills both lice and the eggs.
2. Change your bedding DAILY.
3. Slather hair with a slippery conditioner that has cones, tea tree/eucalyptus and COMB it with a lice comb for 90 minutes a day until problem is resolved (7 days usually). Wipe the comb off between strokes on a towel or a bowl of water so you can see if there are nits or lice.
4. Keep hair tied up at night with a scarf.
5. Keep hair in updos, braided buns no bangs during the day.
6. Essential oils that lice dislike include: rosemary, lavender and peppermint (and tea tree and eucalyptus)
7. If your child's hat or coat end up in the lost and found box, wash it and dry it on hot before putting it back on your child's heads. Lice is rampant among school age children.
8. Don't share hair utensils until the infestation is controlled. Washing brushes and combs in hot water and put them in a ziplock bag for a week is sufficient to stop the spread.
9. Put stuffed animals that are on the bed in a airtight plastic bag and put in the garage for 7 days then they should be lice free. If they are washable, then wash and dry in dryer with heat.
10. Hang on to that little metal comb because lice love to come back. Do a comb through check two weeks after the problem is taken care of and whenever they itch.
Yes, Black folks can get lice!
My 5 yo daughters hair had been itching, but since we share the same bed and I was not itching. I dismissed the possibility of lice and thought it was an allergy or eczema. Flash forward three weeks later and she is sent home from school for lice.
I used RID immediately, but when I took her to the doctor the next day she still had lice and nits. Her doctor suggested going to professionals because there are super lice which are resistant to pesticides nowadays. I called around and all the professionals only guarantee if the whole house is checked and treated (if needed). That means me, my husband, my 5 year old, and my 2 old needed to get our hair wet and combed through with an extra fine metal lice comb with special conditioner. I have a kinky weave and thick midback length 4c-z hair so I thought there was no way they could get the comb though my hair. Fortunately the ladies were black and they assured they could do it without ripping out my hair. BTW I have not had a relaxer in about 3 years, but I still have several inches of texlaxed hair on the ends that I do not intend to cut off or pull off. I had to take down my weave so they could comb though my hair
Husband didn't have it, the baby had 4-6 lice/nits, the 5yo was a severe case and Black Girl Magic saved my butt because I had none as well. Kinky textures can get lice but at least in North America they prefer smoother textured hair. I was never so happy to have nappy hair as in that moment. My daughter has thick 3a/b hair, so I guess they decided to stay in her head.
If you do have lice:
1. Don't bother with the over the counter kits. Go to the doctor and get a prescription for professional removal or the prescription shampoo that kills both lice and the eggs.
2. Change your bedding DAILY.
3. Slather hair with a slippery conditioner that has cones, tea tree/eucalyptus and COMB it with a lice comb for 90 minutes a day until problem is resolved (7 days usually). Wipe the comb off between strokes on a towel or a bowl of water so you can see if there are nits or lice.
4. Keep hair tied up at night with a scarf.
5. Keep hair in updos, braided buns no bangs during the day.
6. Essential oils that lice dislike include: rosemary, lavender and peppermint (and tea tree and eucalyptus)
7. If your child's hat or coat end up in the lost and found box, wash it and dry it on hot before putting it back on your child's heads. Lice is rampant among school age children.
8. Don't share hair utensils until the infestation is controlled. Washing brushes and combs in hot water and put them in a ziplock bag for a week is sufficient to stop the spread.
9. Put stuffed animals that are on the bed in a airtight plastic bag and put in the garage for 7 days then they should be lice free. If they are washable, then wash and dry in dryer with heat.
10. Hang on to that little metal comb because lice love to come back. Do a comb through check two weeks after the problem is taken care of and whenever they itch.
