How to Get Rid of Lice in African American Hair

by Inbound Pursuit December 29, 2023

Discovering lice in your hair can be a distressing and uncomfortable experience, stirring a mix of worry and urgency. The thought of tiny pests residing in your beautiful locks can bring about a sense of unease, making it hard to focus on anything else.

Do you need to shave your head, or is there a better way to treat African American head lice?

There's no need to panic. We’ve compiled this guide on how to get rid of lice in African American hair with hair-friendly advice to help make your scalp a pest-free zone once again.

With expert tips and understanding care, you’ll have those lice evicted from your head in no time! First, let’s offer a bit more context on what causes lice and how to identify the signs of lice in African American hair.

Can Black People Have Lice?

So many individuals wonder - do black people get lice in the first place? Absolutely. Lice are tiny parasites that can infest anyone's hair, regardless of texture or ethnicity.

Take it from a black person who’s dealt with the despair and frustration of a lice outbreak (me) - nobody is immune to these pesky buggers. How did they find their way into your hair, though?

What Causes Lice in African American Hair?

Contrary to common misconceptions, the occurrence of lice on African American hair is not determined by African American hair types but rather by exposure to an infested environment or person. Here are a few common culprits:

Direct Head-to-Head Contact: The primary way lice spreads is through direct contact with an infested person's hair. This can happen during various social interactions, such as kids playing together, hugging, or taking group photos.
Sharing Personal Items: Lice can also be transferred via shared items like hats, hair brushes, combs, or hair accessories. Although less common, this mode of transmission emphasizes the importance of using personal items, especially in environments like schools or social gatherings.
Environmental Factors: Contrary to popular belief, lice do not jump or fly. They crawl and can occasionally be found on upholstered furniture, bedding, towels, or clothing. Close proximity to these items in places like dressing rooms or shared lockers can lead to lice infestation.

Understanding these causes is crucial in both preventing lice infestations and addressing them effectively when they occur.

Before we talk about how to get rid of lice in African American hair, let’s make sure this is what you’re actually dealing with in the first place. So, what does lice look like in African American hair?

Signs of Lice in African American Hair: What Does Lice Look Like in African American Hair?

Recognizing the signs of lice in African American hair is critical for timely and effective treatment. The sooner you discover that you have lice, the quicker you can stop the spread to others.

Unfortunately, though, the unique African American hair texture can pose challenges in spotting lice and nits (lice eggs). Being vigilant for key indicators can help in early detection. Here’s what to look out for:

Appearance of Lice and Nits: Lice are tiny, wingless insects, about the size of a sesame seed, typically light brown to grayish-white in color. Nits, on the other hand, are lice eggs that appear as small, oval-shaped dots firmly attached to the hair shaft, often mistaken for dandruff. Unlike dandruff, however, nits cannot be easily brushed off due to their sticky nature.
Itching and Scratching: One of the most common signs of lice is an itchy scalp, caused by an allergic reaction to lice bites. This itching can be more challenging to notice in African American hair due to its natural dryness and the common use of products to alleviate scalp dryness. Learn more about how to treat dry itchy scalp black hair and how to distinguish between lice and scalp eczema black hair in our blog.
Visible Crawling Sensation: You or your child might feel a tickling or moving sensation on the scalp. Lice move quickly, making them hard to spot, especially in thick, curly hair.
Red Bumps or Sores: Persistent scratching can lead to redness, sores, or even bacterial infections on the scalp. These symptoms should be monitored carefully. This can sometimes be mistaken for psoriasis African American hair.

Due to the thickness and curl pattern of African American hair, using a fine-toothed comb specifically designed for lice removal is crucial. Part the hair into small sections and comb from the scalp to the ends, checking for lice and nits.

Perform the hair check in a well-lit area or under direct sunlight. Nits can reflect light, making them easier to spot.

If you discover that you do in fact have a lice infestation wreaking havoc on your scalp, take a deep breath and relax. While it’s natural to freak out and feel embarrassed, you can regain control of your hair’s health with our advice below on how to get rid of lice in African American hair.

How to Get Rid of Lice in African American Hair

Treating lice on African American hair, particularly when it's tightly coiled, requires a careful and informed approach. This is one of the many examples of how is black hair different from white hair.

But as black women ourselves, we’ve been in your shoes and dealt with the frustration of lice firsthand. Here’s our advice on how to treat lice in African American hair specifically, with a focus on natural remedies and practical application techniques.

The Challenges of Treating Lice in Tightly Coiled African American Hair

Just as identifying the signs of lice in African American hair can present a challenge, so too can actually treating it. It’s more difficult for traditional lice combs to glide through without causing pain or damage.

Furthermore, many common lice treatments are formulated for straighter hair types and can be less effective or overly harsh on African American hair, which tends to be more fragile and prone to dryness.

That’s why we’ve compiled effective, safe natural remedies below along with tips tailored to your beautiful black hair.

Natural Remedies for Lice Removal

We’ve talked about how the best oils for African American hair can help you regrow edges of African American hair or regrow bald patches in African American.

But these aren't just the best-kept African American hair growth secrets. You can also use them as a natural remedy for treating lice! Certain essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and peppermint oil have been known for their lice-repelling properties.

Mix a few drops of these oils with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and apply to the scalp and hair. These oils can suffocate and kill lice but should be used with caution, especially on children. Dilution is key.

We’ve also seen people have great success using household items to suffocate and smother lice. Products like mayonnaise, olive oil, or coconut oil can be applied liberally to the hair and work by smothering the lice.

Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it on for several hours or overnight for maximum effectiveness. We’ll share some more practical application tips below.

Practical Application Techniques

Treating lice on African American hair requires careful application techniques to ensure effectiveness while maintaining hair health. Here's a step-by-step guide to applying lice treatment products, especially for tightly coiled hair:

Thoroughly Wet the Hair: Begin by moistening the hair. This makes it more manageable and can also help to temporarily immobilize the lice, making them easier to treat.
Apply a Natural Lice Treatment: Choose a natural lice treatment, such as a mixture of essential oils or a smothering agent like olive or coconut oil. Apply this treatment liberally to the scalp and throughout the hair. Make sure to cover all areas, especially near the scalp, where lice and nits are most likely to be found.
Section the Hair: Divide the hair into small, manageable sections. This is particularly important for tightly coiled African American hair, as it ensures that the treatment is evenly distributed and that all areas are thoroughly covered.
Use a Lice Comb: After applying the treatment, use a specially designed metal lice comb for tighter curls. Gently comb through each section from the scalp to the end of the hair. This process helps to remove lice and nits from the hair. Wipe the comb between each pass to remove any lice or eggs.
Let the Treatment Sit: Depending on the treatment used, let it sit on the hair for a prescribed amount of time. This duration is important for the treatment to effectively work on killing lice and loosening nits.
Rinse and Repeat: After the treatment has sat for the appropriate time, rinse the hair thoroughly. It's important to repeat the treatment process over several days to a week, as this ensures that all lice and nits are removed, especially those that might have hatched after the initial treatment.
Wash Bedding and Clothing: Parallel to treating the hair, launder all bedding, hats, and clothing that may have come in contact with lice in hot water to prevent re-infestation.

Options for Professional Lice Treatments

The natural remedies we’ve shared should help you get this infestation under control. If not, though, you may consider more professional treatments such as:

Permethrin or Pyrethrin-Based Products: These are common over-the-counter lice treatments. They are effective but should be used with caution. It's important to follow the instructions carefully to minimize potential damage to the hair and scalp.
Prescription Treatments: In cases where over-the-counter products are ineffective, a doctor may prescribe stronger treatments. These prescriptions, such as benzyl alcohol lotion or ivermectin, are more potent and should be used under medical supervision.
Professional Lice Removal Services: Some specialized clinics offer professional lice removal services. These services often use a combination of manual combing and natural treatments, tailored to different hair types, including African American hair. They provide a safe and effective alternative for those who prefer not to use chemical treatments.

Remember, these treatments can be more aggressive on your scalp and hair. They should be used with caution. That being said, we want to offer a few tips on restoring your hair health post-lice treatment - whether you go with natural remedies or a more intense solution.

Restoring Hair Health Post-Lice Treatment

Emerging from a lice treatment, your hair and scalp may feel stressed and weakened. It's a critical time to revitalize and nurture them back to health. Allurium Beauty's hair growth serum for black women is your ally in this recovery journey, especially for women of color.

Formulated with a rich blend of organic herbs and natural vitamins, it's tailored to stimulate and invigorate hair follicles, fostering new growth and restoring vitality.

This serum stands out with its unique composition of ingredients like Coconut oil, Hemp seed oil, and Chebe, which are known for their restorative properties.

Its gentle yet effective formulation is free from harsh chemicals, focusing on healing and strengthening your hair from the roots.

With regular use, women with type 3 and type 4 hair have reported noticeable improvements in just two weeks.

Allurium Beauty Hair Growth Serum doesn't just offer a solution; it provides a transformation. It's an invitation to not only recover from the aftermath of lice treatment but to embark on a journey towards healthier, stronger, and more vibrant hair.

Embrace this change and add it to your cart today, backed by a 100% 120-day Money-Back Guarantee. Your journey to rejuvenated, flourishing hair starts here.

Along with our serum, you should use an African American hair deep conditioner to restore moisture after potentially stripping it away with chemical treatments. Our guide on how to moisturize dry brittle African American hair can help you with this.

Before we wrap this guide up, though, here are some tips on preventing head lice in the future - so you never have to stress about this problem again!

Tips on Preventing Head Lice in the Future

Preventing head lice, particularly in African American hair, requires a combination of regular hair care, hygiene practices, and mindful social habits. Here are some effective tips to reduce the risk of future lice infestations:

Maintain Cleanliness: Regular washing of hair and scalp with appropriate shampoos can help keep lice at bay. While African American hair might not require daily washing due to its texture, establishing a consistent routine is vital.
Use a Lice-Preventative Shampoo: Consider using shampoos formulated to repel lice, especially during outbreaks at school or in the community.
Regular Hair Checks: Regularly inspect your or your child’s scalp, especially if you’re aware of a lice outbreak in your community or school. A fine-toothed comb can be helpful for this purpose.
Avoid Sharing Hair Accessories and Headwear: Lice can spread through the sharing of combs, brushes, hair ties, hats, and other hair accessories. Encourage the use of personal items to minimize the risk.
Be Cautious with Shared Spaces: Be mindful in shared spaces like lockers, coat closets, or any area where hats and clothing are stored together.

Final Thoughts on How to Get Rid of Lice in African American Hair

There you have it - everything you need to know about how to treat lice in African American hair. Armed with these tips you should be equipped to avoid lice outbreaks in the future.

So, take this advice and put it into practice - we hope our guide on how to get rid of lice in African American hair leaves you feeling confident and capable of taking control of your scalp’s health once again!

You can learn more about African American hair growth in our blog. We have resources on topics like how fast do black people's hair grow, best days to cut hair for growth, hair rinses for African American hair, breakage vs new growth, thin African American hair, how often should black people wash their hair, and more.

Otherwise, get Allurium Beauty hair serum today and prepare for this battle against those pesky lice. With the power of ancient herbs and oils strengthening your hair from the inside out, your hair will look better than it did before this outbreak!