Washing Hands and Pinworms

If you’ve been reading through this website, you know how pinworms are transmitted, and understand why it would make sense to make sure that you and your children properly wash your hands all the time. However, if you don’t know how pinworms are spread, let me share here.

Pinworms live in the colon and lower intestines. The female will lay its eggs around the anus at night, which causes an itching sensation. When this area is scratched, some of the eggs are now under the fingernails. As the infected person touches objects and people, the eggs are spread. Let’s say, for example, that this person shakes hands with someone else. Now the eggs are on that person’s hands. What if they’re a nail biter? As they bite their nails, they consume the eggs and the cycle starts over again.

So as you can see, it’s really important to use good personal hygiene and always wash your hands.

Proper Way to Wash Your Hands

The best way to wash your hands properly is by rinsing your hands with water and then applying the soap. You want to rub your hands together to lather up the soap and then start scrubbing all areas of your hands. This includes the front, the back, in between the fingers, and under your finger nails. The CDC recommends that you wash for a minimum of 20 seconds. By the way, it doesn’t matter if it’s cold or hot.

When your done scrubbing your hands, you can then rinse off the soap with water and then dry your hands.

When to Wash your Hands

Anytime that you dirty your hands and risk your personal hygiene, you should be cleaning your hands. Some examples include handling garbage, food, pet food, taking care of someone that is sick, touching animals, after touching a cut, after blowing your nose or coughing, after going to the bathroom, after changing a diaper, and after handling anything that may contain, bacteria.

What if I don’t have soap?

Although not as effective, you can wash your hands with just water if you must. You can also use sanitizers or alcohol. However, this won’t eliminate bacteria as well as good old fashioned soap and water.

So do yourself a favor and no matter what you use, always wash your hands after handling anything dirty.

Return to Pinworms in Kids Home from “Wash Your Hands” 

Vermox, Albenza or Mebendazole are the most common prescription treatment for pinworms. For those who prefer self-treatment from home without consulting a doctor, there are OTC pinworm medications that are also very effective in eliminating pinworms and related symptoms.  These over the counter medications come in form of liquid suspension, chewable tablets and pill forms. You can buy them in local pharmacies, major store chains or online at a cheaper price than prescription medications. The two most common and effective over the counter treatment for OTC have pyrantel pamoate as the active ingredient and include:

Pin-rid or Pin-X OTC Pinworm Medication

This is one of the best over the counter pinworm treatment containing pyrantel pamoate as the active ingredient. Formerly a prescription only medication, this FDA approved drug is now available over the counter after confirmation of the diagnosis by a medical professional. The caramel flavor makes it easy to take.  It treats intestinal worm infections such as pinworms, roundworms and hookworms and works by paralyzing the worms, making it impossible for them to move, feed or lay eggs and then expelling the worms in form of stool. A single dose is effective in eliminating pinworms within 24-48 hours without mixing with the blood so it does not affect the patient’s body muscles. Since the medication does not kills the eggs, a follow up dose about 10 days later is necessary to kill newly hatched eggs and prevent recurring infestation.

Reese’s OTC Pinworm Medication

Another common and effective over the counter medicine with the effectiveness of prescription medicine is Reese’s pinworm treatment for pinworms. This is also a pyrantel pamoate suspension and is effective with a single dose. You should shake well before use and use the measuring cup to take the correct dosage depending on the person’s weight, infection level and response to treatment. Administer this over the counter treatment to the entire family for successful treatment to ensure no recurrent infestations. In severe and recurring infections, it may require four to six treatment sessions to eliminate the worms.

OTC Pinworm Medication Directions of Use

Before administering any over the counter treatment for pinworm, read and follow the package instructions as well as the patient manual included to understand the symptoms, signs and prevention measures of pinworms. You can take the medication any time with or without food or as your doctor directs you. You can take it with milk or fruit juice and there is no requirement to take a laxative. The dose depends on your weight and nature of infection. The package contains specific dosages for different weight levels and one should not exceed dosages. If you are taking the treatment at home, take only one dose and only take another dose with the advice of a doctor. It is important to see a heath care provider to confirm the presence of pinworms before taking medication.

When is Taking OTC Pinworm Medication Risky?

Pregnant women, breastfeeding moms, children under the age of two, those with liver disease, allergic reactions or other medical conditions should not take OTC pinworm medication without speaking to a doctor about the risks involved. You should also consult your doctor if you are taking any other medication to learn of any risk involved or interaction with the medication that may reduce the effectiveness of the de-wormers.

Pyrantel Permoate OTC Pinworm Medication Side Effects

Pyrantel permoate based medication for pinworm is safe and free from side effects when used as directed.  However, an allergic reaction may develop characterized by hives, itching, skin rashes. Mild side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Sometimes dizziness, headaches and insomnia may develop in which case one should avoid driving and other risky activities. Consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms.

Since pinworms spread easily from one person to another, it is important to treat the whole family for infestations even if only one member is infected since some other members may have the worms without showing symptoms. After using OTC pinworm medication to treat pinworm infections, preventive measures include maintaining high standards of hygiene including washing and disinfecting toilets, beddings and clothing to prevent new infestations. Every family member should wash his or her hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. You should consult a doctor if you notice the worms in stool or symptoms persist even after taking the second dose to kill newly hatched eggs. He will be able to tell you exactly what OTC pinworm medication is recommended, if you decide against a prescription.

Return to Pinworms in Kids Home from “Best OTC Pinworm Medication”

Are Pinworms in Dogs Transmissible to Humans?

Children are perfectly safe around a healthy, vaccinated dog. However, many new parents are really worried about pinworms in dogs and that they could give those nasty intestinal parasites to children. Well, we’ll give you the good news first: dogs don’t transmit pinworms to children. There are many types of pinworms, and the type that lives in a dog’s intestines are not transmissible to humans.

Now that we set things straight, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about pinworms in dogs, pinworms in adults, and how to protect your family and pets from these nasty intestinal parasites.

What Are Pinworms?

Pinworms are small intestinal parasites that are very common in children and in humans in general. They are also quite contagious. Pinworm eggs are laid around the anus area and are then transferred onto clothes, hands, and so on. The main symptoms are intense itching of the anal area, restlessness, and trouble sleeping at night.

To prevent parasite infestation, hygiene is the best defense. Teach your children to wash their hands after going to the bathroom and before mealtime. Also, if they are in the park or at a playground, make sure they don’t put their hands in the mouth. That’s how intestinal parasites usually get into the body. So, whether or not there is a concern with pinsorms in dogs, the chances that the kids will get pinworms at some point in their life are exactly the same.

What To Do If Someone In Your Family Has Pinworms

Pinworms are easily treatable in children and adults and a simple pinworm test will tell if the child has pinworms. It’s very important to properly treat pinworms in children, since the parasite is not only contagious, but also quite persistent.

Fortunately, there are very efficient anti-parasitic drugs that your family doctor will prescribe for you. If a member of your family was diagnosed with pinworms, it’s very important that in addition to that individual being tested, that all the members of your family take an anti-parasitic treatment. Chances are that, if a child or an adult in a family has pinworms, others in the household may have them as well. It’s essential for everyone to a treatment for pinworms simultaneously, in order to avoid recurrent infestations.

Are Pinworms Dangerous to Dogs?

Knowing now that pinworms in dogs aren’t a threat to your children, let’s talk a little bit more about intestinal parasites and how they affect your pet’s health. Pinworms, tapeworms and other common intestinal parasites are not a big health threat for most pets, but can be very uncomfortable.

The main symptom is intense itching in the anal area. If your dog scratches a lot around its tail or if you notice that the dog is “butt scooting” along the carpet, it’s a sign of intestinal parasites.

Dogs that are older, have health problems, or a struggling immune system are more likely to have serious health problems such as a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing or a lack of energy. If you notice such symptoms in your dog, take it to the vet immediately. Pinworms, tapeworms and other intestinal parasites are easily treatable with de-wormers. Usually, vets recommend repeating the anti parasitic treatment every six months for all the pets, to avoid infestations.

Happy Kids and Happy Pets

The most important piece of information that you need to remember is that pinworms in dogs are not transmissible to children. Kids sometimes get pinworms and other intestinal parasites, and dogs do as well. However, keeping your kids away from dogs or other pets will not improve their general state of health. Quite the opposite, in fact. There are many recent scientific studies proving that babies and small children that live in the same house with dogs are healthier than children that live in pet-free houses. Children that grow up with a furry friend have fewer allergies and infections. One recent study conducted inFinlandclearly showed that children that had contact with dogs in their first year of life had significantly fewer respiratory infections and allergies. That means fewer antibiotics. Specialists concluded that exposing kids to germs, microbes and bacteria brought inside the house by the family dog actually strengthens the kids’ immune system. Also, the psychological benefits are not to be neglected: kids that grow with a pet are calmer, more generous, and they learn to share and to take care of other.

The Bottom Line on Pinworms in Dogs

So what’s the bottom line? Take your dog to the vet regularly, pay attention to all of its symptoms, use anti parasitic drugs every six months, and you’ll have nothing to worry about. Regardless of whether or not pinworms in dogs are a concern, having a pet means that our kids will experience only the benefits of growing up with a furry friend.

Return to Pinworms in Kids Home from “Are Pinworms in Dogs a Risk to Kids?”

Transmission/Spread of the Pinworm in Adults

So you might be wondering what causes pinworms in adults? You should first know that the spread of pinworms can occur quite easily from one person to another. The transmission process begins when the female threadworm lays its eggs in the anal area of a pinworm infested adult. This causes discomfort in the area causing the adult to scratch to reduce the discomfort. As a result, the eggs get picked up in the fingernails of the adult, which they transfer to various items within the house through touch. When the eggs get ingested, the pinworm infection occurs. This is the primary way that pinworms are spread to adults.

There are other ways that pinworms are spread to adults, so let’s take a minute and talk about them.

• You can get pinworms by ingesting food infested with pinworm eggs. This mainly occurs when an infected person handles food. Failure to wash one’s hands and the food items properly will lead to its spread.
• Another way of contracting pinworms is by wearing clothes infested with pinworm eggs. Be sure that the laundry is done properly and that you don’t share dirty clothes with other household members. I know I shouldn’t have to say this, but not everyone recognizes proper hygiene.
• Placing infected items such as a pen cap in your mouth can result in pinworm infection if there are eggs on it.

Knowing how pinworms in adults get transmitted and spread is important. It lets you take the necessary measure to avoid it from spreading to others.

Symptoms of Pinworm Infections

The presence of pinworm symptoms helps in knowing that an infection has occurred. These symptoms let you take the necessary steps to know what you are suffering from. When it comes to pinworm infection, knowing its symptoms is beneficial because it allows the infected individual to seek medical advice, and take precaution in preventing its spread to others. So, what are some of the main symptoms of pinworm infection in adult?

• It causes intense itching in areas around the anal region. When the female pinworm lays its eggs, it results in the inflammation of the perineal tissue, which causes the itchy feeling.
• An adult with pinworms will also be restlessness during sleep. This is mainly due to the intense itching.
• There is also intense scratching in areas around the anal region. Continuous scratching can lead to bacterial infections because the skin around the region may break.
• In women, pinworm infections can cause discomfort and itching in the vaginal area as well. This mainly happens when the female threadworm enters and lays its eggs in the vagina. This is not as common, but still happens.
• In extreme instances, pinworm infection can result in the loss of appetite. Although not common, it may indicate a more serious infection aside from pinworm infestation.

Another indication of pinworms in adults is the presence of pinworms in stool. Adults who exhibit the above symptoms should visit the doctor for treatment. In order for the doctor to ascertain the presence of pinworms, there are some tests that need to be done. The most common is known as the pinworm test. (Fitting, isn’t it?) This test involves taking a piece of cello tape and pressing it on the skin around the anal region. Conduct the procedure first thing in the morning in order to collect pinworm eggs. Afterwards, take the tape to the doctor who then inspects it under a microscope for presence pinworm eggs. If any eggs are present, then the doctor will offer treatment.

Treatment and Prevention of Pinworms in Adults

The infestation of pinworms in adults gets treated in various ways

• The doctor may prescribe a pinworm treatment such as Mebendazole or Albendazole.
• A tap water enema may also be recommended. This procedure flushes out pinworms, and should be done under the supervision of a doctor.

Other preventive measures that can be implemented in order to help treat and prevent the spread of pinworms include the following.

• Be sure to shower more frequent and always clean the anal area thoroughly. Doing so helps to keep the female worms away from laying eggs.
• Scratching is the main way through which pinworm eggs is spread. Therefore, avoid scratching the anal area. Instead, apply anti-itching medication.
• Before consuming any food, ensure that you have cleaned your hands thoroughly. This acts to remove any eggs that may have been collected in your fingernails.
• Adults should also clean their bedding and pajamas on a regular basis in order to prevent the re-infestation of threadworms.

As you can see, the spread of pinworms in adults can be minimized if we pay attention to what we do. If there is an infestation of pinworms in adults or kids, be sure to seek medical treatment for everyone in the family.

Return to Pinworms in Kids Home from “What About Pinworms in Adults?”

There is nothing altruistic about having pinworm infections. The infection is a nuisance. If you get infected, then I’d suggest looking for ways that you can treat or prevent re-infection. Other than a traditional medical treatment for pinworms, there are home remedies for pinworms that can be used. The treatment adapted will depend on the person, and their knowledge of how the remedy works. Although pinworms can cause mild problems, an infection can result in restlessness, intense itching and sleepless nights. This, therefore, calls for one to take the necessary steps to treat the infection. In addition to medication, there are some homemade remedies for pinworms that are effective in treating and preventing pinworms. Knowing these remedies go a long way in helping a person deal with pinworm problems.

Natural Home Remedies for Pinworms

There are various remedies that can be used to treat and even prevent the spread of pinworms in kids and adults. These home remedies range from herbal products to general cleanliness. I’d recommend consulting a doctor before you set out to use any form of home remedy for pinworm. You don’t want to use remedies that may end up causing more harm than good. This article focuses on providing information on the various remedies that you can try out for yourself.

• Pumpkin seeds are effective in getting rid of pinworms. These seeds contain extracts that expel pinworms from the intestinal tract where they live. As a home remedy, take 1oz of the seeds on a daily basis.
• Garlic is an effective home remedy for pinworms. This form of remedy is used differently to treat and prevent pinworm infections. One of the ways is to ingest fresh garlic cloves on a daily basis. Also, when cooking, use a lot of garlic in your meals.
• The other way is to make cream which consists of garlic and applying it on the anal area. Here, grind several cloves of garlic into a paste and mix with Vaseline jelly. Then you can apply it around the anal region. This not only kills the pinworm eggs, but also relieves the itching.
• Wormwood is also an effective home remedy too. Its active ingredients include isothujone, thujone and santotin, which are chemicals known to kill worms. It functions by weakening the worms and in the end killing them. Prepare tea and add ¼ teaspoon of wormwood and drink the tea. This should be done in intervals of three hours.
• Papaya seeds are also effective in treating pinworm infections. Chew the seeds once in a while. However, the spice is very strong and not advisable for children. You can also eat papaya fruit if the seeds are too spicy for you.
• Ginger is among the most effective home remedies for pinworms. When using ginger, you can chew it raw, or take ginger supplements. It is also recommended to add ginger in every meal until the pinworm infection clears.
• Grapefruit extracts are effective remedies in treating various conditions. Lucky for us, this includes treating pinworm infestation. The extract can be bought in the form of a tablet or liquid. With the tablets, take them three times a day. When using the liquid form of grapefruit extract, add ten drops to a glass of water and take it three times a day.
• Turmeric is also effective in treating and preventing pinworm infections. The turmeric powder can be added to a variety of dishes. It contains ingredients that kill pinworms.
• Taking curled mint tincture three times a day is effective in getting rid of pinworms as well. Tincture contains anti-parasitic properties, which is obviously going to be effective in treating pinworm infections.

Taking Preventative Measures

Up until now, we’ve been discussing natural treatments for pinworms. If there are no changes or improvements while using home remedies, I would highly recommend a consultation with a doctor.

Other forms of home remedies for pinworms include general cleanliness and observing hygiene, which would include some of the following ideas:

• Ensure to keep your fingernails short. This applies to both adults and children. The pinworm eggs collect under the fingernails and spread through contact. Short fingernails minimize chances of spreading the pinworm eggs. Also, avoid biting your nails as well, since this would directly put any eggs right into your mouth.
• When itching, instead of scratching, take a shallow bath in order to relieve the itchiness.
• Before handling any food, ensure to clean your hands thoroughly. The food, especially fruits and leafy vegetables, should be thoroughly cleaned as well. Doing this will get rid of the pinworm eggs that may potentially be present on the hands and your food.
• Another home remedy for pinworms is to make sure that the bathing areas are clean. The pinworm eggs are light and can easily be lifted to areas where people tend to touch the most such as door knobs and tap openers.

Home remedies for pinworms infestation have been there for a long time even in traditional days, and they have proved to be effective. Before using any home remedies for pinworms, especially natural or herbal extracts, make sure that you consult a doctor.

Return to Pinworms in Kids Home from “Home Remedies for Pinworms”

Pinworms in Stool is Cool!

Some kids might take a look at pinworms and decide how incredibly cool it is that they have tiny worms in their poop. As they insist on telling the world about it (and maybe even showing it to a few people), you will find that this type of a reaction will make it easy as a parent to identify the problem (Although you may wish that they would stop sharing this with the world). Despite your child’s excitement about this, you should seek out medical advice as soon as possible so that your child can get a treatment for pinworms.

Keep it a Secret

One of the worst things that can happen is if the child is embarrassed by it and is afraid to tell their parents. So if you don’t know about it, what can you do? Encourage your children to always be open and let them know that they never need to be uncomfortable about talking to you about anything. Even more important is to make them feel this. Sometimes words just aren’t enough.

Tip on Pinworms in Stool

Another thing to note here is that even if your child has pinworms, it is unlikely that you will actually find them in the stool. If you do, then this usually means there is an unusually large number of pinworms living inside your child.

Other Reactions Pinworms in Poop

Although these are the two most likely reactions with pinworms in kids, it’s important to always keep an open communication and encourage your children to always keep you informed. If you ever have an issue with pinworms in stool, notify a doctor immediately.

In 2008, it is estimated that there were about 40 million cases of pinworms in North America alone. The population in North America in 2008 was 528,720,588. Based on these calculations, that means that about 7.5% of the population in North America was diagnosed with pinworm infections. What’s scarier is that the expected pinworm growth is not a pretty thing.

Estimations and Math on Pinworm Growth

I calculated some information that will show the cases of pinworms as we move into the future. Keep in mind that these are estimates based on what the expected world population will be in the coming years against a 7.5% infection rate:

Expected Pinworm Cases in 2020

It is expected that there will be approximately 571,864,188 people living in North America in the year 2020. At a 7.50% infection rate, we’re looking at almost 42,889,814 pinworm cases.

Expected Cases in 2030

Let’s move forward another decade, and we have a guestimated pinworm growth of 618,828,306 people living in North America. using the same percentage of infections, we would assume that there are 46,412,123 pinworm cases in 2030.

Expected Cases in 2040

In 2040, we will probably have a population in North America somewhere around 662,567,521. This equates to 49,692,564 pinworm cases.

Expected Cases in 2050

Finally, by 2050, we can expect to have about 52,718,841 cases of pinworms in North America, based on a population of about 702,917,883. That’s over 50 million cases of pinworms by the year 2050. That’s a lot of pinworms!

The Bad News About Pinworms

Not to be negative, but I have to throw in one more piece of information. These are numbers that are only based on the known cases in North America. Some estimates assume that the total percentage of people with pinworms in North America are as high as 30%. That’s almost a third of the population in North America and the majority don’t even know that they have them. As a great example to this, read our article about how this pinworm site made a difference.

Based on this number, that means that a potential 210 million people will have pinworms by the year 2050. I don’t even know what to say to this number.

So what can we do about it? Build awareness. We need to encourage our children to tell us when something doesn’t seem right. Learn about pinworm symptoms so that you know what to look for. My hope is that by building awareness, we can stop the pinworm growth in the world.

Return to Pinworms in Kids Home From “Estimated Pinworth Growth”

A Pinworm Story That Was Years in the Making

This person shared that they had gone many years with “an itchy bum” and had no idea what was causing it. In fact, this person’s healthcare provider even told them that they were using toilet paper too aggressively, which was causing the irritation to the skin. According to the doctor, as the skin was trying to heal from the irritation, it became itchy. Now don’t get me wrong, this can happen to people, but this was not the case for this person, as they would soon find out.

After reading through this website, this particular individual decided to visit his doctor to try and have a tape test conducted. After so many years, this person figured why not just see.

Sure enough, it was discovered that this person has had pinworms for years and never even knew it. Can you believe that? No wonder why so many people are living with parasitic worms and don’t even know it. This story really is a great example of how there are so many unsuspecting cases of these nasty little parasitic worms out there.

The Moral of the “Itchy Bum” Story

So what’s the moral of the story? If you have “an itchy bum” and have no idea why, it just might be a result of nasty parasitic worms that are living in your intestines and dropping eggs at night around your anus.

Take the time to find out. Yes, I know it may be a little bit embarrassing for some, but it really is worth it. If you can diagnose a problem such as these nasty buggers, it is much easier to apply a treatment for pinworms.

Return to Pinworms in Kids Home from “How this Pinworm Site Made a Difference”

Alright Already, So What Do Pinworms Look Like?

You can probably take a guess by knowing that they are called pinworms. They are tiny roundworms that appear to be colorless. Their size can vary, depending on whether it’s a female or a male. While some parasitic worms are one gender, pinworms come in both males and females. A fully grown female will be anywhere from eight to fourteen millimeters and about a half a millimeter in thickness. The male will ususally only be about three to five millileters long and less than one fifth of a millimeter in thickness. While the female has a pointed tale, the male’s tale is curved at the end.

What Do Pinworm Eggs Look Like?

Despite being so small, it is still possible to see adult pinworms with the naked eye. However, their eggs are another matter. Pinworm eggs are impossible to see with the naked eye. In order to see them, you’ll have to have a pinworm test done and they can be viewed under the microscope. So why can’t you see them? Well, they are colorless, clear, and extremely small. So what would you see if you were to look at them under a microscope? They are usually around fifty micrometers in length. As I mentioned, they are colorless. You’ll notice that they have a thick protective area that is flat on one side. Thing of a really small turtle shell that you can see through. The eggs develop pinworm larva, which will be about one hundred and fifty micrometers in size. So you should now be more comfortable with the question, “What do pinworms look like?”

Return to Pinworms in Kids Home From “What Do Pinworms Look Like”

Tape for a Pinworm Test?

Alright, so how exactly does a piece of tape help? Here’s how the pinworm tape test works.

1. You’re going to start off by getting a piece of tape. You’re not going to use just any adhesive tape. You want to make sure that it’s transparent. I know what’s jumping into your head right now. You want me to put Scotch Tape on my butt? Well, although it would probably do the trick, I would actually recommend getting tape from your doctor. If you would like to sound smart when talking to your doctor, you can use the more sophisticated and scientific terminology. Your healthcare provider will call the piece of tape a pinworm paddle. So go ask your doctor for a pinworm paddle. Okay, I refuse to call it a pinworm paddle anymore. For the rest of the article, it’s a piece of tape.
2. To start the pinworm tape test, you’re going to apply the piece of tape to your anus. If you have pinworms, then the adhesive side of the tape will pick up the pinworm eggs, and possibly pinworms as well. Althought you may be able to see the pinworms with your naked eye, you will not be able to see the eggs. It is best to do this first thing in the morning before you have showered. I know, it sounds gross, but there’s a very good reason for it. You see, if you clean yourself, you’re also washing away the eggs, making the testing process less accurate. Also, the reason that you’re doing it first thing in the morning, is because the female lays the eggs at night while you are sleeping.
3. At this point, your doctor can have the piece of tape examined under a microscope. They are looking to see if there are any pinworms or pinworm eggs.

So with all of the advancements in science, why do we use a simple piece of tape? Well, it’s non evasive. Would you prefer a camera with a magnifying glass inserted through your anus? I would personally pass on that one.

A Few More Words on the Pinworm Tape Test

I know I’ve been joking around a lot in this article about the pinworm test, but I want to get serious for a minute. I know that this may sound like an embarrassing thing to talk about with your doctor or healthcare provider, but if you suspect that you or a family member may have pinworms, it’s really important that a test is conducted so that you can get the proper treatment for pinworms. Although it’s not life threatening in most cases, irritation and a loss of sleep can be really annoying pinworm symptoms to have to deal with.

If you suspect pinworms, have a pinworm test done soon.

Return to Pinworm in Kids Home from “Pinworm Test”