Why are head lice so hard to get rid of these days? According to the CDC, 6-12 million kids get head lice per year and in this day and age, it’s actually closer to the 12 million mark. Here are 4 reasons why head lice infestations have increased over the last few years.
- Rise In Super Lice
Super lice now overrun 42 out of 48 states tested, according to a yahoo article. Super lice are lice that have mutated and evolved over time to become resistant to strong chemicals that are designed to kill them Head lice are now more difficult than ever to get rid of.
- Abundance of Ineffective Lice treatments
Unfortunately, most commonly used OTC lice treatments that you’d find at a drugstore are a waste of money because of super lice. They once worked, but now because of the evolution of super lice, most are not successful at killing lice. A 2016 report found that most lice in 42 states have mutated to be resistant to pyrethroids, which are insecticides used in over-the-counter lice treatments. Many medical professionals still recommend these products because of a lack of knowledge and understanding about super lice.
- This Generation Of Children Are More Close-Knit.
It seems as if kids are more prone to close-knit relationships nowadays. Since lice are spread through head-to-head contact, this increases the chances of an infestation spreading. Kids these days are huggers, clothing and accessory sharers and selfie takers. Kids often get close to one another to take pictures, creating an optimal lice-spreading scenario.
- Home Remedies Don’t Work
We advise against an internet search when trying to figure out how to get rid of head lice at home. You’ll probably find a list of things that people claim work including mayonnaise, tea tree oil, petroleum jelly, Listerine or olive oil. These are ineffective at best and harmful at worst and that is backed by the CDC. These treatments can cause harmful effects, lead to food poisoning or suffocation and even might make the lice infestation worse. These products are meant to suffocate lice, which may indeed kill live lice. But eggs (nits) are the real problem, and eggs can’t be suffocated because they don’t breathe. The eggs will hatch, and you’ll have a fresh infestation on your hands.