Just the thought of them makes you itch.
Just the sight of them makes you squirm. The wriggly little bodies. The sucky little fangs.
They are crawly and creepy and ready to feed upon your baby.
And coming to a head near you is the new SUPER MUTANT version.
You have been warned.
A new treatment resistant mutated species of "super lice" that cannot be killed by even the most popular over-the-counter remedies have arrived and researchers say that getting rid of them is going to be harder and harder for parents.
A study published recently in the Journal of Medical Entomology, has found that common over-the-counter insecticides such as permethrin used to be up to 100 per cent effective in killing the parasites when it was introduced in 1984.
Listen to Holly Wainwright and Andrew Daddo talk about their most embarrassing head lice moments on Mamamia's family podcast, This Glorious Mess. Post continues after gallery.
But now researchers have found 98.3 per cent of the lice have a mutation meaning the lotions and sprays and shampoos are about as effective as kyrptonite on Lex Luther.
And they've found, these super mutant lice are planning on taking over the world.
Well, our children's scalps at least.
Super mutant lice have arrived. Image via IStock.
Head lice those small, wingless parasitic insects that live on human heads draw blood from the scalp and cling to hair have proved near impossible to remove at times. They crawl and jump between heads laying eggs to re-infest and re-infest and re-infest.
Researchers found that the type of treatment you’ve probably traditionally raced out to the chemist for (while trying not to retch) are now almost 100 per cent ineffective.
You could just about weep over that couldn't you?
Watch: Back to school advice for kids with nits. Post continues after video.
They found that the lice have developed a widespread "knockdown resistance" mutation, which can be passed on through generations..
“Resistance levels were not decreasing with time," the study said. "This finding is expected, as the OTC [over-the-counter] products containing the pyrethrins or pyrethroids are still being used."
A close up of a human head with an infestation of parasitic nits or eggs hatching near the scalp. Via IStock.
Dr Cameron Webb, a medical entomologist at the University of Sydney, told Fairfax Media it was well known that when insecticides were used for a long period, they would decline in effectiveness.
"It's not surprising at all, because we know that insect pests of agriculture or public health concern, when we have a reliance on pesticides to control them, there's always a chance they will develop a resistance," he said.
"We know it's happening with mosquitoes, we know it's happening in bedbugs, and it's no surprise at all that it would be happening in head lice."
"It's no surprise at all that it would be happening in head lice". Image via IStock.
Experts say the best method to treat these SUPER MUTANT nits is by the old fashioned method of cheap conditioner and a comb (oh and an iPad to keep those wriggly little bodies still for a good half hour or so while you try and comb the nits out).
You have to be consistent they say and repeat the whole awful procedure a few days later to get the pesky little ones who’ve hatched intent on re-infesting the home.
NSW Health advise that bed linen, hats, clothing and furniture do not harbour or transmit lice or nits and that there is no benefit in washing them.
Alternatively we could just give up and let the SUPER MUTANT LICE take over the world.
We are all doomed.
Top Comments
We are not all doomed! For those of you who are distressed about either having lice currently or in the future I've used a technique that has worked effectively for me on two occasions (as I have been unlucky enough to catch it twice in the last ten years). Here are my tips:
1. Vacume technique (yes you read right!). Separate your hair with hair ties into at least four sections and vacume each section using the straight nozzle of a vacume cleaner. The lice are effectively sucked off your head and into the vacume bag. Each vacume session only takes 5-10 mins. Ideally repeat everyday or at least every second day for 2 weeks (or longer if still feeling itchy). Lice can build a resistance to chemicals but not to getting sucked off your head.
2. Change all bed linen, pillows, doona etc every day making sure there is a 3 day break between use. This ensures you don't give it back to yourself from lice left behind after sleeping at night. You're lying there for 8 hours so likely there will be some left behind.
3. The same goes for clothing, keep a 3 day break between wearing jackets, scarfs, any top whatsoever. Also buy disposable shower caps so you don't wear the same one twice.
4. Wash brushes after each use, making sure to remove hair. I just threw them in the shower with me to wash to make it easier.
5. The vacuuming doesn't get rid of the nits (eggs) therefore you still need to remove them by having a someone meticulously go through your hair and pick them out or if no one to help using a combing technique with conditioner (not as effective).
6. You could use a treatment in addition to the above as an extra precaution.
7. Straightening irons/curling wands will help destroy the nits too.
I hope these tips helps someone out there!
I used the straightening iron "trick" on my daughters but I think all it did was hatch the eggs as the next time I combed through there were heaps more!!