How to Get Rid of Pinworms

One of the easiest childhood infections for a child to get is pinworms. Pinworms are sometimes called thread worms because they look like tiny white threads. You may see evidence of these parasites in the toilet or in underwear. Some signs that your child or you might have pinworms is itching around the anus or restless sleep, but there are many people who do not have any symptoms at all. These tiny parasites are not dangerous, and they do not carry disease. However, they are very contagious, and because they sometimes cause intense itching around the anus, infections can occur. If your child becomes infected with pinworms, then chances are your whole family is also infected. Don't worry though, because there are simple and cheap ways of getting rid of pinworms. If your child has been diagnosed with pinworms, then the whole family should be treated, even if they don't display symptoms. The whole house should be cleaned, including floors mopped because the eggs can be in dust on the floors and can cause infection to reoccur.

Instructions

• 1

  Take the child to a doctor. The doctor might want you to test the child at home by placing a piece of folded tape, sticky sides facing out, next to the sleeping child's anus. You will then bring this tape to the doctor where he will look at it under a microscope to see if there are any pinworms or eggs on the tape.

• 2

  Wash your hands often. Washing your hands with warm, soapy water and doing it often will help to get rid of the pinworms and their eggs. Washing needs to be done after bathroom use and before eating or drinking.

• 3

  Avoid scratching around your bottom. The pinworms eggs will get under your fingernails and then you will spread them to whatever you touch.

• 4

  Wash clothing and bedding. This needs to be done regularly while getting treatment and after each treatment.

• 5

  Take pinworm medicine. If you go to the doctor, he will prescribe pinworm medicine or you can buy some over-the-counter medicine. Some brands of over the counter pinworm medicines are Pin-X and Pin-Rid.