Nursing officer, hair stylist caution on usage of hair accessories on children

Joseph who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja said that trendy style could result in serious injuries on the users or other children.

She also said the use of artificial hair accessories on babies or young children could results to injuries on the head in the event of any accident.

”A lot of children including babies have been brought to our clinic with serious injuries or skull fracture resulting from fall or when they hit their head because their mothers used beads to beautify their hair''.

“The beads sink into their skull that we have to use our equipment to gently remove it or they undergo surgery.”

Joseph also added that other kids around such user could be at risk too.

She said some of the kids either swallow or put the beads in their ears or nose when they pick them from the user while playing.

“Children are very inquisitive; they play with anything that comes in handy.

“So parents need to be very careful and monitor what their children play with or have access to.

“ It is not just the child that uses beads that sustains injury, other inquisitive children around them while playing could also be attracted to the objects and might even swallow or put it in their ears, nose or mouth.’’

According to her, some children undergo trauma as well, from the forceful use of hair accessories and hair braid, as they experience pains and cry a lot when applying it to their hair.

Also, Mrs Jane Enejoh, hairstylist and beautician, said the use of hair beads and accessories, even though beautifies the hair, could result in a hair loss and damage.

“ Most of these accessories, even though it makes hair look more attractive, at the end of the day, it leads to hair loss and more damage than good.’’

“There was an instance when one of my customers had to cut off her five year old daughter’s hair because her hair was falling off as a result of fixing hair extension.

“When you advise some of them against it, they ignore you; I have no choice than to fix the hair after all, I will be paid at the end of the day,’’ she said.

Enejoh advised mothers to allow their toddlers and little children grow their natural hair without adding weaves or extension.

Mrs Blessing Sarki, a mother of four said her 11 months old baby, sustained injury while learning how to walk.

“She fell down and we had to take her to the hospital because the bead was embedded inside the scalp, so they had to shave off her hair before removing it and treating the wound,’’ she said.

Sarki stressed the need for hospitals to educate women during antenatal classes on the danger of using hair beads and other accessories that could be hazardous to the user and children generally.

“Women shouldn’t be all too concern about using accessories to beautify babies’ hair to look attractive.”As long as the baby is clean and well fed, the child will look beautiful,’’ she said.

Mrs Hannatu Musa, a mother of three said she does not use any artificial accessories to adorn her daughter’s hair as her religion forbids it and her children cry a lot in the process of braiding and applying any accessories.

“I have a set of twins, who do not like plaiting, fortunately for them; they have long hair, so there is no need for me to add attachment or any accessories to it.

“Moreover, my religion does not allow one to adorn hair with any artificial product.’’

Meanwhile, Malam Samaila Abdullahi, a jewellery and hair accessories dealer at Garki market said he did not know there was any danger in the use of hair accessories.

He said that most women patronise him especially during festive periods adding “dem dey move my market very well.’’