MURDOCK HEALTH

  • Home
  • WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS
    • MY Ultimate Weight Loss Guide
    • Weight Loss Medicines, HCG DIet
  • Membership
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact/Forms
  • Home
  • WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS
    • MY Ultimate Weight Loss Guide
    • Weight Loss Medicines, HCG DIet
  • Membership
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact/Forms

Super Lice: What you need to know

8/7/2016

1 Comment

 
You may have seen a lot of headlines recently about drug resistant super lice that is now spreading throughout the United States.

A whopping 42 out of 48 states tested are overrun by this so-called super lice, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology. The map of the United States below shows resistant lice in 100% of Texas samples. 
Picture
The problem is that the so-called "super lice" has mutated such that it is now resistant to most over the counter treatments.

The current recommendations from some health care professionals is that it is still reasonable to give over the counter treatments a couple tries separated by a week before needing to see a Doctor. 

The good news is that there are still prescription options that are effective even when the over the counter options fail.

If you need to see someone about lice I am happy to help or you can see your own PCP. 

The following general information about Lice is taken from an online physician resource.

HEAD LICE SYMPTOMS — Most people with head lice do not have any symptoms. Some people feel itching or skin irritation of the scalp, neck, and ears. This is caused by a reaction to lice saliva, which the lice inject into the skin during feeding.

HEAD LICE DIAGNOSIS — Head lice are diagnosed by examination of the scalp and hair. Special "nit combs" can be used to assist with the diagnosis.

●Before using the fine-toothed comb, use a regular brush or comb to remove tangles. This can be done while the hair is wet or dry. If the hair is wet, apply hair conditioner to make the hair easier to comb.
●Place the fine-toothed comb at the top of the head, touching the scalp. Pull the comb through the hair from roots to ends. After each stroke, carefully examine the comb for lice or eggs.
●Comb the entire head at least twice

Finding eggs (nits) without lice does not necessarily mean that there is an active infestation; nits can be found for months after lice are treated. Because lice lay eggs at the base of the hair shaft, the identification of nits within ¼ inch of the scalp suggests (but does not confirm) an active infestation [3].
Lice can be more difficult to see than nits since they can move and hide from view. A doctor or nurse can examine the head under a special lamp, which causes nits to glow a pale blue color. If you are unsure whether your child has lice, make an appointment for your child to be examined before you start treatment.

Finding head lice can be upsetting to children and parents, but it is important to keep the following in mind:
●Head lice are not a sign of being dirty or sick
●You can get rid of head lice with proper treatment
●There are no serious or long-term health problems associated with head lice

HEAD LICE TREATMENT — There are several options for getting rid of head lice, including creams and liquids, combing, and oral medicine (pills). It is important to follow directions carefully to be sure that the treatment works.
If you are sure that your child (over age two years) has head lice, you can use a nonprescription lice treatment. Examine family members and close contacts at the same time and treat them if needed. If your child is under age two years, contact the child's doctor or nurse for treatment advice.

Insecticides — A topical insecticide (pediculicide) is a substance, usually a lotion or gel, that is applied to the scalp to kill lice. Available insecticides include:
●Permethrin (Nix, Rid)
●Pyrethrin (A-200, Pronto, Tisit)
●Malathion (Ovide, prescription required in the United States)
●Benzyl alcohol (Ulesfia, prescription required)
●Spinosad (Natroba, prescription required)
●Topical ivermectin (Sklice, prescription required)

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying the insecticide carefully. Typically, you wash the hair with shampoo, rinse it, and towel-dry it. Apply the insecticide cream or gel liberally to the scalp and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing with water. Malathion (Ovide) should be left on the scalp for 8 to 12 hours or overnight. Malathion has a bad smell, which can be hard for some people to tolerate. Malathion is also flammable and should never be applied in close proximity to fire or electric heat sources (such as a lit cigarette, curling iron, or hair dryer).

A second treatment is needed with permethrin, pyrethrin, and benzyl alcohol 7 to 10 days after the first treatment. This is because some lice are able to survive the first treatment. A single application of malathion often is sufficient. However, malathion should be reapplied if live lice are seen seven to nine days after treatment. Treatment with spinosad should be repeated if live lice remain after seven days. Topical ivermectin is given as a single treatment; patients should consult with a healthcare provider before repeating treatment.

Wet-combing — Wet-combing is a way to remove lice from the hair with careful and repeated combing. It is a good option for treating very young children or if you want to avoid using insecticides. However, wet-combing is time consuming and must be repeated multiple times over a period of a few weeks.
Wet the hair and add a lubricant, such as hair conditioner or cream rinse, vinegar, or olive oil. See above for a description of how to wet-comb. The combing session should take 15 to 30 minutes, depending how long and thick the hair is. Comb every three to four days for two weeks AFTER you find any large, adult lice.

Oral medicines — A medicine taken by mouth called ivermectin might be prescribed for people whose lice are resistant to topical insecticide treatment.

Other treatments — Studies have examined lotions and other materials (olive oil, butter, mayonnaise, petroleum jelly [Vaseline]) that are applied to the head, and then allowed to dry, with the goal of suffocating lice. However, lice are difficult to suffocate; wet-combing probably works as well and is less messy.
Lice treatments that use gasoline or kerosine are toxic and can lead to serious injury and should not be used.
We do not recommend any of these treatments.

PREVENTING HEAD LICE SPREAD — Adults and children who live with a person diagnosed with lice should be examined for lice and treated if needed. Anyone who sleeps in the same bed should be treated for lice, even if no lice or eggs are found.
School policies differ about who at a school, if anyone, needs to be informed when a child has lice. A confidential call or visit with the school nurse is a good place to start. Most experts believe that children with head lice do not need to be removed from school.
Clothing, bedding, and towels used within 48 hours before treatment should be washed in hot water and dried in an electric dryer on the hot setting. Dry cleaning is also effective. You can use a vacuum to clean furniture, carpet, and car seats. Items that cannot be washed or vacuumed can be sealed inside a plastic bag for two weeks. Items that the person used more than two days before treatment are not likely to be infested because head lice cannot survive off the body for more than 48 hours. You do not need to have your home sprayed for lice.


​ 
1 Comment
Sara link
11/13/2016 11:28:19 pm

You should use a different comb for yourself so that you do not get the eggs planted in your hair by using your roommates comb.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Doctor/Telemed/Sick Visit $60
    My Ultimate Weight Loss Program and Health Guide (Online)
    Picture
    Follow Dr. Murdock
    ​BASIC VISIT          $60
    PREMIUM     $45-60/MO
    WEIGHT LOSS          $60
    HCG DIET                $399
    HORMONE VISIT     $60
    BLOOD WORK          $60
    LACERATION          $150
    STEM CELL             $999
    Testosterone Visit    $69
    Vitamin B12              $25

      GET THE LATEST ARTICLES FOR FREE FROM DR. MURDOCK!

    Subscribe Now!

    Archives

    June 2022
    April 2022
    December 2020
    February 2020
    February 2019
    January 2019
    April 2018
    March 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    Addiction
    Allergy
    Anxiety
    Appreciation
    Cholesterol
    Coronavirus
    Cough
    Deodorant
    Depression
    Diabetes
    Diet
    Excuses
    Exercise
    Fasting
    Fat
    Fear
    Flu
    Gratefulness
    Health
    HIT
    Hormones
    Keto
    Ketogenic
    Mindset
    Murdock Health Products
    Obamacare
    Plateau
    Sacrifice
    Sinus
    Sprints
    Starvation Mode
    Strength Training
    Testosterone
    Thanksgiving
    Virus
    Vitamin D
    Weight Loss

Services

Weight Loss
Adipex
Diet Pills
Ketogenic Diet
HCG Diet
Cuts
X-ray
Blood work
Physicals (Adult/Sports/Employment)

Murdock health, PLLC

3313 Naaman School Rd. Suite 200
Garland, TX 75040
Phone: (469) 209-5013


Office hours

Open Monday - Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.  Closed Weekends. Just call to get an appointment! 
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.