Source: The Chile / desined
So, unfortunately, the news is now reporting that head lice is graduating to a new threat level that is effecting about half of the nation’s states.
The worst part of the lice is that this “Super lice” is resisting the commonly used over-the-counter drugs.
CBS This Morning spoke to Dr. Holly Phillips about the super lice and she gives us a lot of helpful information that parents need to know.
Dr. Phillips says that, “more cases each year since the 90’s even though schools have screen programs”
Treatment
- study looked a 109 samples in 30 states.
- 25 states have super treatment-resistant genes
- Resistant to Pyrethroids
- Chemicals in over-the-counter treatments
- ProntoPlus, R & C, RID and Triple X
Dr. Phillips said, “Well, now we have one explanation as to why… is that lice are mutating to become resistant to the most common group of drugs used over-the-counter used to treatment them.
So researchers looked at 30 states, in 25 of those states, the lice had what was called a triple genetic mutation, which makes them completely 100% resistant to the drugs. And in 4 more states, the lice had intermediate level of resistance so no matter how hard the parents are trying to treat it might not be affective.”
Here is a list of the states that are in the red zone for this super lice outbreak:
First off, yes, it does include Texas.
The other states included: Washington, California, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South and North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine.
When Dr. phillips was asked how can you treat it, she says, “Good news, there are still several prescription treatments that are fully affective even against this drug resistant lice. A number of the prescription meds aren’t necessarily more strong than what you can get over the counter, but they are more effective and they are still safe.”
Since the OTC medicines aren’t effective any longer, Dr. Phillips suggestions are:
- Visit the Dr
- Stop using the OTC product
- Obtain a prescription
- – Natroba, Ovide or Sklice
- – Costs $100-$200
- Avoid using Lindane kerosene or pet shampoos
Dr. Phillips does tell us that if you’re child has lice than you need to continue using the NIT comb. This is a necessity because you do need this to remove the eggs from the scalp since the medication does not remove eggs.
Treating Lice:
- Apply treatment to hair and leave on for recommended time
- Comb through diligently to remove eggs (NITS)
- Nits are harder for drugs to penetrate
- Physically remove all nits with comb
- – Even if redness and itching go away
Here are the symptoms to a possible infestation are redness behind the ears or behind the neck or picked up from schools.
What is lice:
- Wingless insect, size of a sesame seed
- Live on scalp and in hair
- Feed solely on human blood
- Symptoms: red marks, itching, swollen glands
- Look behind ears, around hairline and on scalp
Keep in mind that adults can get lice too from their kids…. this means, wash anything and everything that your kids hair/head has touched. That includes ball caps, headbands, pillows, bedding.
Via:cbsnews.com
