What Are Super Lice? And Are They Real?
Head lice are a common problem here in the United States, especially among children and young adults. With an estimated 6-12 million cases of head lice among children ages 3-11 each year, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if you or someone you know has encountered them before. If you have ever had head lice, you know how uncomfortable the experience can be, but not all cases of head lice are created equal. Recently there has been an upswing in treatment-resistant head lice, leaving both the treatment providers and head lice patients scratching their heads. These ‘super lice’ are usually caused by prolonged treatment, but there are still ways to battle these superbugs. Here is everything you need to know about super lice and how to avoid them.
What are Super Lice?
Super lice are head lice that have been genetically mutated to become resistant to the active ingredients in most traditional head lice treatment products. The longer it takes for an infestation to be dealt with, the more chances head lice get to adapt to the treatment product you are using. Super lice are real and growing in number as humans continue to use chemical treatments. The only way to tell if a louse is super is by testing its ability to endure treatment. The symptoms of super lice are the same as any normal case of lice. Symptoms include itchy scalps and lice bites. If you notice that they are not reacting to treatment, it may be best to seek professional help. If you do have a case of super lice on your hands, continuing to use the same products on them only makes future lice more resistant to that treatment.
How Can Super Lice Be Prevented?
Preventing super lice, the biggest head lice, is all about the treatment method. While it may be difficult to prevent these insects from getting into your hair, the best way to prevent lice from becoming super lice is by seeking a non-chemical treatment as soon as possible. If these bugs are never exposed to the pesticides used in lice shampoos, then they will never have a chance to form a resistance to these chemicals. Instead of seeking prescriptions and over-the-counter remedies, go to a professional to have the lice removed without the use of chemicals. Not only does this prevent super lice, but you can avoid all of the dangerous pesticides and toxins found in over-the-counter treatments.
Chemical Free Treatment In Greenville, SC You Can Rely On
Head Lice are a pain and a hassle. If you or someone you know is dealing with a case of lice, visit Lice Clinics of America located in Greenville, SC, and Anderson, SC. Here at LCA, we offer a same-day chemical-free treatment guaranteed to get the lice out in just one visit. The AirAlle is a special device that blows warm air, forcing the head lice to lose their grip on the hair shaft so that they can be combed out easily. This chemical-free treatment takes less than 2 hours and can have you ready to go in one appointment. If you want to learn more about LCA and our services, schedule an appointment or give us a call today!