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Look Out, Pleasantville: "Super Lice" Found In New York

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- A medication-resistant "super lice" has been discovered in 28 states, including New York, according to a story on Syracuse.com

Head lice that is resistant to common medications has been discovered in 28 states, including New York.

Head lice that is resistant to common medications has been discovered in 28 states, including New York.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia/Gilles San Martin

New Jersey and Connecticut are among the other states where the strain has been discovered. Initial reports indicated the lice strain had been reported in 25 states.

Over-the-counter medications do not kill the newly-discovered strain. Children ages 3-11 are the most likely to get head lice, according to the Centers for Disease Control. People with head lice resistant to over the counter medications should consult their health care provider.

Lice are a parasitic insect that can be found on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes of people. Head lice feed on human blood several time a day and live close to the human scalp. Head lice are not known to spread disease.

Symptoms of lice include:

Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair.

Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of the head louse.

Irritability and difficulty sleeping; head lice are most active in the dark.

Sores on the head caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected with bacteria found on the person's skin.

Lice can be spread by sharing clothing (hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms) or articles (hair ribbons, barrettes, combs, brushes, towels, stuffed animals) recently worn or used by an infested person.

Click here to find out more about how to treat head lice. Click here for the story on Syracuse.com.

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