New Type Of Head Lice Resistant To Common Treatments Spreads To Illinois

(CBS) -- A new type of mutant head lice called super lice spreading across the country, including here in Illinois

CBS 2's Jim Williams common treatments just aren't cutting it

Three 18 year olds, Chana, Meira and Ash easily recall the head lice they had years ago.

"I had to sleep in conditioner for two whole weeks," Ash says.

Now it's even worse for kids and their parents.

"They're upset. They're stressed out," says Renee Wilson. "They just want to give up."

Wilson, manager of Hair Fairies which treats head lice, knows first-hand there's a new parasite which is resistant to over-the-counter products and spreading rapidly.

"If that bug is crawling around the head and then someone is giving hugs, sharing hairbrushes, or by that person, that bug can transfer like that," Wilson said.

On CBS This Morning, Dr. Holly Phillips said the new head lice are in at least half the country, including Illinois.

"Researchers looked at 30 states," Dr. Phillips said. "In 25 of those states had what was called a triple genetic mutation, which makes them completely 100 percent resistant to the drugs."

At Hair Fairies, treatment includes conditioners they make and lots and lots of combing to get the lice out.

In addition to combing, Dr. Phillips says there are also prescriptions on the market effective in fighting the new head lice.