Selfies Could Be Linked To Head Lice

Do you take a lot of selfie's? I've seen a lot 'selfie posts' on various Facebook pages. When you take a selfie with a friend and you put your heads together to snap the picture, you could be transferring cootie head lice to their head and vice versa.

Samples from 30 states found a gene mutation in lice that turns it into a superbug and resistant to over-the-counter chemicals.

According to an expert (as at Hair Fairies in Dallas), which specializes in lice removal, it's impossible to pinpoint exactly where someone gets lice. However, she's seen an uptick in the number of teens with lice who don't have siblings.

“They're holding the phone up, putting their head close to their friend. It only takes a second.”

Lice crawl from one strand of hair to another. They don't jump, they don't fly, but they travel and spread like wildfire.

“People taking group selfies, it’s just like a chain reaction. You take a picture with one person, you’re taking a picture with another person. That bug can actually spread that quick.”

See more on this story from Fox 5 in New York here: COOTIES