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Does race and hair type matter?

Does race and hair type matter?

While this may seem like a silly question to some, it is one of the most lice-related searches on the internet. When it comes to trying to find a new host, lice aren’t picky, and will at least attempt to spread to any race, gender, or hair type they can, but as turns out there is a reason behind this rumor. The question everyone is asking is, ‘can black people get lice in their hair?’

Can black people get head lice?

The short answer is yes. But it is highly unlikely. According to a study done in the ’80s, about ten percent of white children got lice, while a mere 0.3% of African Americans got lice. The misconception makes more sense when looking at those numbers, but what is causing this massive difference? It all comes down to hair type. According to Dr. Dale Clayton, the inventor of the AirAlle Head lice treatment device, “African-American hair is shaped differently than Caucasian, Hispanic, or Asian hair, and lice have a hard time getting their grasping hooks around the shaft.” Because lice have adapted to specifically being able to crawl along the shaft of the hair, where they lay their eggs, having these uniquely shaped hairs often prevents black people from getting lice, or at least for keeping them for very long. 

Even though it is unlikely, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry when you or your child is exposed to head lice. It is always important to check, especially if someone in your child’s class or friend group has been diagnosed. It may be unlikely, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Does hair type change anything?

But what about all of the other hair types? Because Caucasian people get head lice the most, many people think that perhaps lice prefer lighter hair. The truth of the matter is that lice don’t care if your hair is thick or thin, straight or curly, blonde or black, they just like hair. There are just as many lice in blonde hair as there are in any other type of hair. If the head lice are capable of attaching to your hair, they will. Their only objective is to find a hair strand that will allow them to crawl down to the scalp so they can get their food and lay their eggs. Parasites don’t tend to be picky eaters. 

Fresh Heads Lice Removal

No matter your race or hair type, if you or someone you know has been exposed to head lice, don’t hesitate to make time for a thorough check. Fresh Heads Lice Removal clinic in Savannah is a company dedicated to removing head lice quickly so that you can return to normal life as soon as possible. Here at Fresh Heads, we specialize in non-chemical lice treatment and guarantee a lice-free scalp in a single visit to one of our locations in Jacksonville, FL, Orlando, FL, and Savannah, GA. If you have any more questions concerning head lice, visit our website at https://freshheadsliceremoval.com

Schools Without Lice.

Schools Without Lice

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We’ve partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create the Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free screenings, resources, and treatments. Together, we can have schools without lice!