WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Pinworm is also known as seatworm or threadworm.
Medically, it is called enterobiasis (en-ter-o-BI-uh-sis) or
oxyuriasis (ox-e-yur-EYE-uh-sis). It is an infection of the end
of the bowel and anal area with tiny, white, thread-like worms
that you can barely see. Because the worms live by getting
their food from the person they have infected, they are called
parasites. Infection with the worms is more common in warm
climates.
Causes
Pinworm eggs can move from toilet
seats to the body. They also spread through hand-to-hand or
hand-to-mouth contact, and they can float in the air and be
breathed in or swallowed. Once inside the body, the eggs travel
to the small intestine and hatch.
Signs/Symptoms
The chief symptom is irritated
skin and painful itching around the anus. The itching is worse
at night and may keep you awake. If pinworms move to the
opening of the vagina, they may cause itching, soreness, or a
discharge. Other symptoms include loss of appetite and stomach
pain, though this is rare. The skin may become pale and
colorless.
Care
Your whole family may need
treatment, which consists of medication to kill the worms. It
usually only takes 1 or 2 treatments before the problem is
under control or cured, but it is common for pinworms to come
back.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Your doctor will prescribe medicine to kill the
pinworms. The medicine may cause upset stomach, vomiting,
or diarrhea, but must be used exactly as
directed.
-
On the day of treatment, do the
following:
-
Thoroughly clean your house.
-
Machine wash sheets, clothing, and dishes at the
hottest water setting.
-
Change all towels.
-
Cut and clean the fingernails of those who are
infected.
-
Everyone in your household--especially those who are
infected--should wash hands well after using the toilet and
before touching food.
-
At least once a day, wash the anal area. Do this
under a shower, if possible.
-
When using public toilet seats, cover them with clean
paper first.
-
Try to keep children from scratching the anus. Have
them keep their fingers away from the nose and
mouth.
-
Change sheets, pillowcases, towels, and nightwear
often. Machine wash them on the hottest water setting.
Change underwear daily.
-
Have children wear snug cotton
underpants.
-
After the treatment, stools may look like the color
of the medicine used to kill the
worms.
-
Be sure to keep any follow-up appointment the doctor
may schedule.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
The skin around the anus becomes sore and
red.
-
Itching still continues one week after
treatment.
-
Another family member has symptoms of pinworms after
treatment.
-
The medicine causes severe problems (a lot of
throwing up or diarrhea, or really bad stomach
pain).
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