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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Drug Resistant Lice Found in Michigan

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Monday, August 31, 2015   

EAST LANSING, Mich. - When many parents find out their kids have brought home some unwanted visitors in the form of head lice, the first stop is often the drugstore, but experts say a better treatment might be found in your pantry.

According to the American Chemical Society, lice resistant to over-the-counter insecticides are now present in at least 25 states, including Michigan. This comes as no surprise to Michigan State University entomologist Howard Russell, who says genetic mutations allowing some lice to survive the treatment have developed over time.

"When they breed together their offspring are even more resistant than what the parents were," says Russell. "So pretty soon all you have left, since you've killed off all the susceptible members of a population, the only ones remaining are the resistant ones."

There are prescription treatments available, however Russell says mineral oil and baby oil are very effective because they work by suffocating the lice, a method to which they cannot develop resistance. He recommends saturating the hair with oil, combing it through, and leaving it on for at least four to six hours.

Russell says no matter what method is used, it's critical to repeat it several times, and with all members of the family, to ensure you're wiping out the eggs and the adult lice.

"Insect eggs are very difficult to control with insecticide," he says. "So what happens is, a lot of parents they treat once and figure they've got it, and a month or so and bang, their kids have noticeable lice again."

Lice feed off blood drawn from the scalp and are transferred via head-to-head contact. With kids heading back to school, experts say it's important to remind them of the importance of not sharing personal items.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nationwide, there are as many as 12 million lice infestations per year in kids ages three to 11.


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