Medical experts have cautioned Nigerians against the dangerous practice of applying insecticides such as Sniper to the hair or scalp to treat lice or dandruff, warning that it could result in severe poisoning, coma or death. The doctors said the trend, which has spread through social media and informal recommendations, exposes users to serious health risks shortly after contact with the chemical.
In interviews with our correspondent, the health professionals explained that Sniper contains dichlorvos, a highly toxic organophosphate pesticide that can be absorbed through the skin. Once in the body, it disrupts the nervous system, leading to uncontrolled nerve activity and potential organ failure. They noted that exposure may cause symptoms including nausea, breathing difficulties, seizures, loss of consciousness and, in extreme cases, sudden death.
The experts stressed that there is no scientific or medical evidence supporting the use of Sniper to treat dandruff or hair lice, describing the practice as a dangerous myth. According to them, dandruff is typically linked to fungal infections or scalp inflammation and should be treated with appropriate medical products, not toxic substances designed for agricultural or industrial use.
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Children and individuals with pre-existing conditions such as asthma were described as especially at risk, with the doctors warning that repeated or prolonged exposure increases the likelihood of long-term complications such as nerve damage, organ failure and possible cancer.
The warning follows a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) by a user, Serah Ibrahim, who cautioned against using the pesticide on hair. Reacting to the post, a public health physician, Dr Babatunde Adewumi, recounted a tragic case in which a man applied Sniper to his children’s bodies in an attempt to repel soldier ants, leading to the deaths of three of them from poisoning.
In the post, Adewumi explained that the pesticide can be absorbed through the skin and become lethal, adding that the incident only came to light after one of the children was brought in for medical assessment.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control had earlier raised concerns over the misuse of Sniper and similar dichlorvos-based products. In 2019, the agency warned Nigerians against using such chemicals as household insecticides due to the serious public health risks involved. In 2025, following a report, NAFDAC also cautioned traders against using the pesticide to preserve food. Despite repeated warnings, the misuse of pesticides for unintended purposes remains widespread.
Speaking further, Adewumi, who is also the founder of Quinta Health, described the application of Sniper on the hair or skin as extremely hazardous. He said the chemical interferes with acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme vital for normal nerve function, causing continuous nerve stimulation that can result in respiratory failure and organ shutdown. He added that aside from offering no benefit for dandruff, the chemical damages the scalp by stripping away natural oils, leading to severe dryness, skin injury and potential permanent scarring.
Adewumi listed risks associated with exposure to the pesticide to include acute poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive sweating, blurred vision and heavy tearing, as well as neurological and respiratory emergencies like muscle twitching, seizures, coma and, in some cases, death. He further warned that long-term exposure has been linked to cancer, liver and nerve damage, and reproductive problems, blaming the continued practice on unverified home remedies shared online or passed down by peers and hair stylists unaware of the chemical’s lethal effects.
