Now that kids are back in the swing of school, some parents may be getting the news that their child has lice! In some case, over the counter treatments are no longer working.
That's when experts say you're dealing with "super lice". More cases are popping up because the bugs have become resistant to treatments you may find in the store.
Heather Green, who's a certified lice technician, works at Rapunzel's Lice Boutique in Sterling Heights. She says she often hears from parents who are at their wits end when it comes to dealing with lice.
"Generally, 9 times out of 10 they're trying to treat it at home and they're finding the chemicals are not working .. the lice are resistant to chemicals in the products now," she says.
According to a recent study, super lice are in 42 states including Michigan.
"Every case is different .. I can't say over the counter doesn't work, it depends on how bad case is... and how thorough of a comb out you do as well."
At Rapunzel's, Green says they use a dry heat treatment called "Air Allé" to get rid of lice, especially super lice.
"It has to be performed for a certain amount of time... it dehydrates the eggs," she says.
Green says it's more than 99% effective and takes the chance of eggs hatching out of the equation.
It's a 3 step process that also includes a comb through and oil. On average, the process takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours and costs $159.
Experts say if repeated over the counter products don't work, you can also visit your doctor for a prescription treatment.
"It can be taken care of. It's an inconvenience, but it's not the end of the world," says Green.
She says lice primarily spread through head to head contact. Green says there are preventive sprays that you can buy, but because lice can hold their breath for up to 8 hours in water, it's a great idea to put things like sheets in the dryer to kill any eggs.
Green says, "anything that can go in the dryer, put in the dryer."
To learn more about the Air Allé service, go to http://rapunzelslice.com/
