There were 109 kinds of lice populations that were studied by the researchers and out of them about 104 were found to have high levels of gene mutations.
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As a treatment containing permethrin is applied to lice, individuals without the mutations will die off while those with the mutation will survive and pass on their mutant genes.
Not only would citizens be pestered with an annoyingly itchy scalp, the super lice can easily spread from one head to another if no effective treatment can be offered soon.
According to a press release from Eurekalert, scientists have reported that lice populations are developing a strong resistance to many common over-the-counter treatments.
An increasingly high number of parents will now face a problem getting rid of the lice off their child’s head.
For New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Oregon, these states have head lice that are partial resistant.
The first reports of pyrethroid resistance in lice came from Israeli researchers in the 1990s.
She recommends parents who suspect their child has head lice to try over the counter treatment first, before consulting a doctor for prescriptions.
The research was presented at the 250th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.
Pyrethoids are a type of insecticide that is commonly used to help control mosquitoes and other insects, such as lice.
It’s only in the state of Michigan where lice are still susceptible to pyrethroids among the five states mentioned.
He tested the lice for “kdr“, or “knock-down-resistance”, which a trio of genetic mutations.
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Dr Yoon says that lice can still be controlled by using different chemicals, some of which are available only by prescription. These three genetic mutations were observed in lice collected from 25 states, including North and South Carolina, California, Georgia, Arizona and Texas. “They’re more a nuisance than anything else”, Dr. Yoon added. Si we have to think before we use a treatment.
