I am a 14 yr old african american female. my hair is a little past my shoulders and is very thick. Lately I have started washing my hair about 2-3 times a week. i soon started noticing that my scalpe is very itchy and their are white things in my hair and by my roots. i researched a little and think I have lice. I know it's rare for black people to have lice because of their thick hair, but you never know. Am I just being crazy?Do you think i just have common dandruff or could it be lice?
2006-11-11 16:18:52 · 7 answers · asked by Steffie 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
you could have a skin condition causing dry scalp. A doctor would know what meds. I have dry scalp on my front hair line and its itchy due to the dryness of your skin. If you scratch it and it flys into other parts of your hair it could be confused for lice. Eaither way its very embarising.
2006-11-11 17:19:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was younger it was believed the the reason African Americans did not get head lice was because the old thick hair grease that they would use would kill the lice and their eggs. The school nurse would be the easiest way to have someone check your head for lice and give you some advice on what to use from the drugstore/ grocery store. Do make sure you read and follow any product directions as you are using a chemical to kill bugs and you will need to be careful to stay safe and make sure it works. Good luck.
2006-11-12 00:37:13 · answer #2 · answered by PJ H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it moves really easy then it's dandruff. Try having a friend check you head. Here's a really easy way to find out. If's it square or really far down from the scalp like 1-3 centimeters then it's dandruff. But if it's not then have you mom or dad or the health department check it. But don't treat for head lice unless it is head lice. The treatment will fry your hair untill it's nothing but frizz.
2006-11-12 00:31:17 · answer #3 · answered by Kayla [(Adam)] 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The white things that are seen in the hair when someone has lice are the nits, or eggs the lice have laid. These eggs stick to the hair incredibly well. In fact, killing the lice is easy. Getting rid of the nits is why so many moms cut their kids hair after they get lice. It is next to impossible to check yourself for lice. However, your school nurse is an expert on this. Go to her on Monday and explain your concern and she will check your hair for you.
2006-11-12 00:22:46 · answer #4 · answered by gizfish 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If these little white buds don't slide down the hair strands when you put your finger nail under them then they are head lice eggs...sorry!
Head lice can be caught by anyone but there are some factors that effect the frequency that it happens for African Americans. see article link below.
2006-11-14 09:32:18 · answer #5 · answered by harpoonlouis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can have a friend check your head. or you can just do a treatment for lice then get a fine tooth comb and run it through your hair. if you see little creepy crawlers-you have lice. if you don't then you probably have dandruff. by the way-you can sometimes feel the lice walking through your hair.
2006-11-12 00:24:42 · answer #6 · answered by nenarmz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
scratch your head an try to see if you can feel around for a small whitish brownish bug an if you dont keep you hair greesed as a african american you CAN still catch it
2006-11-12 00:35:03 · answer #7 · answered by jen_N_jason 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋