2023-10-25 17:00:00
Lice, these blood-sucking insects that are frequently found on children’s heads, are difficult to eradicate. They pass very easily from one head to another, particularly at school or through objects in contact with the scalp. Female lice lay 5 to 10 eggs (nits) per day for 20 to 30 days.
Like many parasites, lice have developed over time their own strategy to survive once morest the insecticides (pyrethrins, permethrin, lindane, etc.) present in products supposed to combat them. In shampoos or other sprays, for example.
This phenomenon of resistance has greatly developed over the last twenty years, notably due to the intensive use of products containing insecticide molecules. Gradually, genetic mutations appeared in lice in order to adapt to this hostile environment. Insecticides then lost their toxic powers once morest parasites. And therefore their effectiveness.
Genetic adaptations
As Inserm pointed out in 2010, taking pyrethrin as an example, “mutations of amino acids involved in the sodium-gated channel pathway in the central nervous system of lice have been identified and are responsible for this resistance”.
And to expand: “the appearance of new forms of resistance seems to be constantly increasing and lice epidemics are increasingly difficult to treat and eradicate. Hence the need to find new therapeutic alternatives.”
In practice, what to do? As Health Insurance points out, “to get rid of lice, it is essential to follow local treatment”. And to find up-to-date instructions for strategies to combat lice, the easiest way is to ask your pharmacist for advice.
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