Super lice are strains of lice that have developed an immunity to key ingredients in over-the-counter lice removal products. They require treatment with the strongest prescription products and may need additional applications over a longer period of time. Some researchers believe the concept of super lice is a misrepresentation, but there is growing concern that lice will continue to adapt and render current treatments ineffective.
Super lice are infestations of lice that don’t respond immediately to the usual commercial products formulated to remove lice from hair. Over the years, there have been people in the medical community who have warned that it was only a matter of time before these lice would form. Other medical professionals reject the concept and believe resistance has more to do with the individual than the lice.
The theory behind super lice is that over time, strains of lice have developed an immunity to key ingredients in over-the-counter lice removal products, such as shampoos. Proponents of the theory note that it’s not unusual for any type of insect to acquire an immunity to a particular product over time, and that there’s no reason to assume that lice aren’t capable of achieving the same level of adaptation.
There are different chemicals used in various head lice removal products. All are considered insecticides. Such chemicals as permethrin, lindane, malathion, and pyrethrin are found in over-the-counter head lice remedies or are part of the compounds of prescription-only products formulated to treat severe cases. Lice classified as super lice often require treatment with the strongest prescription products, even if the infestation is considered to be somewhat minor in the number of mature lice and eggs present.
These treatment-resistant lice in some cases still respond to over-the-counter products. However, rather than the usual course of initial treatment followed by treatment several days later to kill any lingering eggs before they hatch, treating super lice usually means additional applications of the product over a longer period of time.
While some researchers are firmly behind the super lice idea, others consider the whole idea a misrepresentation of the situation. As part of the process of debunking the concept of super lice, they point out that many people still get relief from using over-the-counter lice removal products. However, there is growing concern in some circles that if newer and stronger head lice treatments are not developed, lice will continue to adapt and eventually render current treatments completely ineffective.
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