Super Lice: What Are They and Do They Really Exist?

Super Lice: What Are They and Do They Really Exist?

Lice are small, soft-bodied insects that are generally harmless, but the pesky critters can take hold of one’s head and warrant plenty of fear among children to adults alike. Some parents try to take matters into their own hands—starting out picking lice off one by one, and then resorting to strong over-the-counter insecticides to try to finish the job.

The problem with these chemicals is that they can trigger a serious upgrade—almost like the transition from frail Steve Rogers to Captain America—only it’s a more dreadful level-up from lice to super lice. OTC drug overexposure has made super lice resistant to medication, giving its victims a harder time to treat the invasion.

What Are Super Lice?

Super lice are not here to save the day, and while they don’t look or act any different from regular lice, they are a different strain with an uncanny resistance to traditional treatments like permethrin and pyrethrin.

This anomaly happens when the pesticide-based head lice treatments only kill 50% of the infestation. The remaining 50% survive and start a more robust colony that has grown impervious to conventional treatment.

The coined term “super” lice was rooted in a 2016 study done by the University of Massachusetts, wherein 48 states have shown 98% of the collected lice were immune to pesticides.

How Does Super Lice Spread?

Super lice can’t fly despite its moniker and are still a strain of your head lice, so they spread the same way—direct head-to-head contact. Once you start to feel itching behind the ears or neck, a tickling sensation in your locks, see signs of red bumps scattered throughout your neck or shoulders, then these are red flags that indicate you have a problem.

Fortunately, some companies like Fresh Heads Lice Removal offer natural solutions that can put an end to the super lice line. However, prevention always helps, so if you want your children free from the creepy crawlies, then the saying “once a week, sneak a peek” should keep your vigilance up.

The Bottom Line: Do You Still Have a Head Full of Lice After OTC Treatment?

Many people who are not aware of super lice still try to use OTC lice shampoos to try to get rid of the pervasive parasites. While it seems like a cost-effective fix, super lice will easily survive these treatments, and OTC shampoo overuse will continue to build-up their resistance.

If you find yourself developing a growing itch and still seeing live lice and eggs in your locks, it’s best to seek proper treatment from professional lice removal companies. Companies like Fresh Heads Lice Removal, for instance, offer an FDA-cleared medical device called AirAllé, which uses a focused stream of warm air to dehydrate and kill lice and eggs naturally.

Professional Lice Removal

If you’re looking for professional lice removal in Jacksonville, FL, Orlando, FL, or Savannah, GA, get in touch with us at Fresh Heads Lice Removal to see how we can help you get rid of lice. We offer an FDA-cleared medical tool that can effectively eliminate lice safely!


Schools Without Lice.

Schools Without Lice

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We’ve partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create the Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free screenings, resources, and treatments. Together, we can have schools without lice!

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