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At the American Chemical Society's National Meeting & Exposition, Dr. Kyong Sup Yoon from Southern Illinois University presented his findings that 104 of the 109 lice populations they tested from over thirty states had high levels of gene mutations, meaning that in at least twenty-five states there are strains of lice that are immune to pyrethroids, the active ingredient in most drugstore lice treatments. 

According to Dr. Yoon, the medical community has known for a while that this was going to be a problem. Because the current popular treatments are over the counter, they've been over used and lice have built up immunities to them. For more effective treatments, turn to presecription treatments which rely on other active ingredients and can have controlled use.

The best way to deal with lice, though? Prevent it before it even happens. There are plenty of steps you can take to stop lice in their tracks. Here’s some advice:

Sharing isn’t always caring. Sharing hats, combs, brushes, coats and barrettes allows lice to spread from one person to the other. So the next time you want to borrow your friends super cute baseball cap, maybe think twice before you do.

Heads up! Don’t go head to head with each other. Putting your head near someone else’s head is another easy way for lice to jump from one person to the next.

Seal it. Oh, no—your sister got lice, now what? Help her and you out by washing all of her clothes (wear a hairnet or shower cap if you really want to be protected). For all the things that can’t be washed like her necklaces and jewelry, seal them in a plastic bag for two weeks.

Don't lie down on the job. Don’t get cozy on any couches or furniture that a person with lice has recently been on until after they've been treated.

Have you ever had lice before? How did you deal?

by Marin Langlieb and Chelsea Duff | 2/1/2016