Is there any stopping Super Lice?

Lice are a nuisance and causes embarrassment for many, however carry no serious harm.

While lice have built a resistance for over-the-counter products there are several prescription products that continue to eradicate them. They can also be removed manually with a fine tooth comb or by using commercial hair treatment service.

So what should you do if the dreaded lice invade?

Karen Sheehan, MD, general pediatrician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, shares her tips on what you need to know when dealing with super lice.

1. No child should be sent home from school early.

Lice move by crawling (not flying or hopping) so as long as the teacher keeps the kids’ heads apart, there shouldn’t be any further spread.

2. Remember that people are often wrong in the diagnosis of lice.

Lice are most accurately diagnosed when one sees a live louse moving. Seeing nits, or lice eggs, within a ¼ inch of the scalp suggests that a person has lice, but does not confirm a lice infestation. If the nits are more than ¼ inch from the scalp it is probably an old infection or not lice at all. People often call dandruff or dirt, lice.

3. If you think your child might have lice, call your pediatrician to see if you need a prescription for treatment.

Sometimes your doctor will prescribe over the phone, or she may want you to come in to make sure your child does have lice before prescribing, because it really can be tricky to diagnose.