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A strain of “super lice” that is resistant to over-the-counter treatments has been reported in 25 states, including California. Super lice, like regular lice, are parasitic insects that can live in the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes of humans and feed on blood. Due to a genetic mutation, super lice are resistant to pyrethroids, the family of insecticides contained in common over-the-counter treatments used to kill lice.
A super lice strain resistant to over the counter medication has been found in 25 staes. (Photo: Getty Images)
Much like regular lice, super lice are spread by direct contact with the hair of an infested person, the CDC reports. Head lice move by crawling and cannot hop or fly. Lice can also spread by sharing clothing or hair accessories recently worn or used by a person with lice, although this is less common. Dogs, cats and other pets cannot spread head lice.
Symptoms to look out for include the feeling of something moving in the hair, an itchy scalp, irritability and difficulty sleeping. The only difference between regular lice and super lice infestation is the response to treatment.
If your child still has lice after a complete over-the-counter treatment, they may be infested with a resistant strain.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents and caregivers use over-the-counter treatments unless resistance has been confirmed in other cases in the community. Instructions on the package should be followed exactly and all clothing, linens and toys used by the infected person should be washed in hot water or dry cleaned.
If the lice are treatment-resistant, a pediatrician can prescribe another form of treatment that has been proven effective against super lice
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