Lice are parasites that live on hosts’ blood and cling to the hair. The most prevalent type of lice found on people is head lice (Pediculosis capitis). In schools, head lice may swiftly and readily spread among students.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 12 million instances of head lice are reported among schoolchildren in the United States each year.
There is no evidence that head lice spread illness. However, they can occasionally result in additional health issues like secondary skin infections and cause severe scalp itching.
Since lice eggs are often tan in color, they may be more difficult to detect in specific types of hair. Additionally, lice may appear differently in different hair colors and might be tan, whitish-gray, or dark brown.
Finding lice in blonde hair might be particularly difficult due to this survival mechanism.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ It can occasionally be challenging to find lice in blonde hair.
✅ This is due to the fact that lice, especially nits, can resemble blonde hair in color.
✅ However, this does not imply that they are hard to find or that they favor blonde hair over other hues.
✅ You can typically discover the lice yourself with a fine-toothed comb if you or your child has been exposed to them and you suspect you may have an infestation on your hands.
✅ Contact a medical expert if you are still worried about it despite not being able to detect any.
How to check blonde hair for lice
Even though they can be a little difficult to notice, lice can be checked for and diagnosed at home. Just a little amount of investigation is needed. Look through your hair in small pieces while using a hand-held magnifier and a fine-toothed comb.
Pay close attention to your scalp because that is where live lice are most likely to be found. You can also check your hair roots for eggs and egg casings. Your scalp may have sores from scratching, but this does not necessarily mean that you have lice.
It can be challenging to definitively rule out lice. You can talk to a medical expert (such as your primary care physician or your child’s pediatrician) about having the scalp examined if you are unable to locate any lice during your own inspection but still believe that you or your child may be infected.
Can you see lice in blonde hair?
Lice on your scalp may resemble pepper or sand grains if you have blonde hair. The size of an adult louse is comparable to a sesame seed. These parasites can only move by crawling and they reside on your scalp. They are unable to fly or hop off your scalp.
The detection of lice may be either simpler or more challenging depending on their color. Compared to lice eggs, living lice are often a little darker (which are also called nits). This would imply that it’s simpler to find lice than it is to find their eggs.
What do lice eggs in blonde hair look like?
Blonde hair might make it difficult to see lice eggs. Nits frequently have a yellow or white appearance, though they can sometimes adopt their host’s hair color. They could resemble skin flaking, dandruff, or product buildup in the hair.
It takes the eggs themselves a week to hatch. The egg casings remain affixed to your hair when the eggs hatch.
There is no particular hair color that lice prefer. However, depending on the traits of their host, they can occasionally slightly alter their hue.
That doesn’t always imply that they favor those with blonde hair. There is no evidence to support the idea that lice have evolved a preference for particular hair hues.
According to the CDC, people of African origin may be among those who are least likely to contract lice. This may be because other hair types’ hair shaft widths are more suited to the shape of lice claws.
Contrary to popular opinion, lice do not favor filthy hair, according to the CDC. On clean hair, they can climb more effectively. They find it more difficult to grab onto and ascend dirty hair.
How to remove lice from the head
The following are possible methods of treating head lice: • topical ointments, lotions, and shampoos; • oral drugs
Take further precautions, including as cleaning any linens and bedding that have come into contact with the owner.
Common lice remedies that have been proven to work include:
- Shampoos available over the counter that contain pediculicides (ingredients that kill lice)
- Prescription drugs such as ivermectin
- lindane
- benzyl alcohol
- spinosad
- permethrin
- pyrethrin
Home treatments like olive oil, tea tree oil, and coconut oil may work for some people, but evidence to support their usage is primarily anecdotal.
The most prevalent variety of human head lice, nevertheless, are growing less susceptible to some of the treatments.
You might wish to begin with softer methods, such as utilizing shampoos, and essential oils applied after diluting them with carrier oils, cleaning your bedding, and using prescription drugs under a doctor’s supervision.