Super-Lice On the Rise in Louisiana
If you thought that getting an itchy, creepy-crawly infestation of lice was bad - wait until you get a load of super-lice! Unfortunately, more and more Louisiana residents are getting first hand experience with the incredibly uncomfortable, and hard to kill, parasite.
According to KATC, several parishes in the southern part of the state have reported a significant rise in the number of children that have become infested with the tiny, wingless insects. The scientific name for these pests is Pediculus humanus capitis, but if you or your child comes home with them - you'll probably come up with a more colorful name for these little nuisances. A new, unnamed strain has emerged and has proven resistant to over the counter treatments. These super-lice require some medical-grade medicines and more extreme methods to eradicate.
According to the report: "About eight to ten people are being treated for lice daily in Lafayette." To make matters worse, Lice Clinics of America is claiming that there has been an 80% increase in reported cases from south Louisiana since the winter of 2017.
If you or your child are infested with these little blood-suckers, and over the counter treatments don't seem to be working - contact your doctor right away. Let others know because these things are spread from person to person wild fire. Experts suspect children crowding their heads together for selfies to be a major contributor to the jump in cases. All the lice need is a bit of head-to-head contact, and voila - you just shared more than a picture on social media.
I know you are probably scratching you head right now, and for that - I'm sorry. Here are some things the CDC recommends you do to prevent the spread of head lice.