Pinworm infections are common among children in the school going category and can spread pretty quick from child to child. It can also make it round to adults in the house if they come in contact with the eggs of the pinworm. Proper care and hygiene practices may help prevent these worms from spreading further and causing more discomfort to your child.
Pinworms are little worms that are white in colour and live in the rectal area after its eggs have been ingested accidentally. The pinworm eggs can stay alive on an outside host for up to two to three weeks. Once ingested, they hatch in the intestine and mature female pinworms move out of the anus in the night and deposit eggs on the skin causing itchiness and discomfort.
While these worms are not known to cause any diseases, they can be very uncomfortable and give your child one too many sleepless nights.
Pinworms can range from 2 to 13mm in size and humans are the only natural hosts of this worm. The eggs, however, are microscopic and transparent and are not visible to naked eyes.
While anybody can contract pinworms, some of the most common causes of pinworms are seen the following cases:
It is possible that some children do not show any signs of pinworm infection. However, you may look out for these common symptoms that appear in children infected:
Pinworms are easily visible to the naked eye. Hence, if your child’s bottom or stool has white worms on them, then he or she has pinworms. The best time to check this is immediately after your child wakes up in the morning, as the worms come out of the anus in the night. You can also check your child’s stool to check for white worms.
In case the worms are not visible, doctors may recommend a tape test. This is a simple procedure where you will have to take a transparent tape and stick it to the area around your child’s anus and pull it out. Any eggs deposited on the area will stick to the tape. This should be done on three consecutive mornings and the tapes should be taken to the doctor, who will then see them through a microscope to check for pinworm eggs and confirm the infection.
Treatment for pinworms is given in the form of oral medications which are available over the counter. Pinworm medicine for kids can involve an initial dose, which is then followed by a second dose two or three weeks later. Albendazole, mebendazole, and pyrantel pamoate are the common medications prescribed. In case the itching is unbearable like in moderate to severe cases, the doctor may prescribe ointments and creams to soothe the itching.
Since the eggs can spread to the parents, caregivers and family members also, it is possible that medication is given to all of the people who come in regular contact with the kid.
While not proven to work for everybody, there are a few home remedies that you can try out for pinworms.
As with most infection, the key to preventing a pinworm infection largely depends on hygiene practices. Some of the steps that you can take to prevent pinworms are:
It is best to consult a doctor when you begin to see the first symptoms of pinworms. Conduct a tape test and get confirmation from a doctor. However, if you decide to try a home remedy, you will need to consult the doctor if the symptoms persist or you see visible white worms. In case you see blood in the urine or stool and your child complains of abdominal pain, take him or her to the doctor right away.
Pinworm infections are highly contagious and treatment should not be delayed. It is important for you to identify the symptoms on time and get timely treatment for your child to alleviate discomfort.