Mutated head lice warning to parents

Cases of mutated head lice, or ‘super lice’, have been reported in Ohio and health experts are warning parents about the dangers of the bug.

The Greene County Combined Health District says a doctor’s prescription may the only way to treat the bug as they are resistant to many of the over-the-counter options available to consumers.

Dayton Children’s Hospital offered the following information for parents to help prevent the spread of lice, to include the mutated form.

  • Wash all bed linens and clothing that's been recently worn by anyone in your home who's infested in very hot water, then put them in the dryer for at least 20 minutes.
  • Dry-clean anything that can't be washed, or put them in airtight bags for at least three days.
  • Vacuum carpets and any upholstered furniture.
  • Soak hair-care items in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for one hour.

Health officials with Children’s say there are things you also should not do:

  • Don't use a hairdryer on your child's hair after applying any of the currently available scalp treatments because some contain flammable ingredients.
  • Don't use a conditioner or shampoo/conditioner combination before applying lice medication.
  • Don't wash your child's hair for one to two days after using a medicated treatment.
  • Don't use sprays or hire a pest control company to try to get rid of the lice.
  • Don't use the same medication more than three times on one person. If it doesn't seem to be working contact your doctor.
  • Don't use more than one head lice medication at a time.

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