More and more head lice are becoming resistant to over-the-counter drug treatments that have been used to kill them. After repeated exposure to the active neurotoxin called pyrethrins that is used in most treatments, the lice have built up an immunity over time.
More and more head lice are becoming resistant to over-the-counter drug treatments that have been used to kill them.
After repeated exposure to a natural neurotoxin called pyrethrin, or its synthetic counterpart permethrin, the lice have built up immunity over time to these treatments.
According to one report, 99 point six percent of head lice in the United States have developed a genetic resistance to the compounds.
Another study found that using a wet comb to remove the lice was just as effective as using the drugs.
Experts call the genetically mutated insects superlice because of their resistance to pyrethrins.
Mutated populations of drug resistant lice are found all over the world, but in Australia, Argentina and Israel those are the only kind they have, meaning pyrethrin treatments are essentially useless
Using a lubricant on the hair, like conditioner or olive oil applied with a fine tooth comb is reportedly an effective way to remove the parasites.
Another method of removal is using products that have dimethicone, which coats the hair and suffocates the lice to prevent them from laying eggs and spreading.
There are also some prescription treatments that the superlice haven’t developed a resistance to yet.
