Parents are being warned to be wary of 'super head lice' which are resistant to common treatments.
The pesky bugs are a problem particularly for primary school children and cause itching and discomfort as they feed on human blood.
They are small brown insects, only between 1mm and 3mm long, that live close to the scalp on human heads.
Recent research has revealed that 98 per cent of head lice are now resistant to popular over-the-counter treatments, Mirror Online reports .
The 2016 study of 48 US states found that head lice were able to grow gene mutations, which helped them resist certain insecticides.
Professor Craig Williams, of the University of South Australia, has been researching new ways to combat this problem.
Speaking to 7NEWS, he said: "Super lice would be the name we would give to lice that have become resistant to some of the treatments to kill them."
He likened the spread of these super lice to antibiotic resistance but dermatologists have said the best method is to be better prepared for head lice season.
Holly Barber of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “Although it’s important for parents to be prepared for the increased risk of head lice infestation in their children ahead of the new school year, chemical treatments shouldn’t be used as a preventative measure.
"This can encourage the resistant head lice to develop, making them even harder to get rid of.
“Instead, the British Association of Dermatologists recommends regular examinations with a nit comb in order to detect an infestation early, as starting treatment sooner rather than later will help prevent further spread."
Parents should also keep in mind that head lice can spread to anybody, no matter how clean their hair or home is.
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