They found that 104 out of 109 lice populations had high levels of gene mutations, which have been linked to resistance to pyrethroids. Why lice haven’t developed resistance there is still under investigation, researchers say.
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Study author Kyong S. Yoon, PhD, assistant professor in the Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences Program at Southern Illinois University, has been researching lice since 2000.
Generally considered a nuisance because they don’t carry disease, lice can still be controlled using different chemicals found in prescription treatments.
“Certain ones have the potential to mutate and protect themselves against whatever reason to try and kill them, and that’s absolutely what’s happening the lice”, said Dr. Angela Baker, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital.
So what are parents to do?
Pharmaceutical companies have developed some lice-battling products that don’t contain permethrin, Yoon says, but many are only available with a prescription.
Scientists involved in the study have found that the insects are becoming immune to usual types of treatment often recommended by doctors and schools.
Having all three genetic mutations means that these lice populations are the most resistant to pyrethroids. These treatment-resistant superbugs have invaded 25 states so far and, according to health officials, have a high level of resistance against the usual over-the counter medicines in 25 states. Kupferman got a comb-out treatment at Hair Faries, which says it’s been seeing a surge in clients. Since that report came out, Yoon has expanded his survey.
He said the best course of action is to contact your doctor if you think your child has head lice. They say leaning into pictures to take a “selfie” has been a rising culprit of spreading the infestation among teens.
One in three children aged 4-11 are infected throughout the year.
Yoon will present his findings at the 250th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society this week.
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Of the 30 states the researchers looked at, only Michigan had lice that was still vulnerable to treatment with pyrethroids. But over the years, Yoon said, lice have evolved in such a way that the chemicals no longer fit neatly into the receptors, thereby squashing the chemical’s bug-killing ability.
