Pinworms or Threadworms. This video is on Pinworm medicine, treatment, symptoms, home remedies to get rid of threadworms.
Threadworms (Pinworms) are common but are not usually serious. Threadworms infect the gut and lay eggs around your anus which causes itch. Treatment usually includes medication plus hygiene measures. Medication kills the worms but not their eggs, which can survive for two weeks. Therefore, you also need strict hygiene measures for two weeks after taking medication to prevent you from swallowing eggs which may cause a new infection. All household members should be treated at the same time, including those without symptoms.
HOW TO SPOT THREADWORMS (PINWORMS):
Threadworms are small, thin, white, thread-like worms between 2 mm and 13 mm long. They infect human guts (intestines). Worms in kids are common but anyone of any age can be affected. Feel free to click the links below for images to help you spot them,
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/
https://patient.info/health/itchy-bottom-pruritus-ani/threadworms
ARE THREADWORMS (PINWORMS) HARMFUL:
Not usually. Often, the worst thing about them is the itch and discomfort around the back passage (anus). This sometimes wakes children from sleep. Scratching may make the anus sore. Large numbers of threadworms may possibly cause mild tummy (abdominal) pains and make a child irritable. In girls, threadworms can wander forwards and lay their eggs in the vagina or urethra (the tube through which you pass urine). A doctor may check for threadworms in young girls with a vaginal discharge, bedwetting, or problems with passing urine. Rarely, threadworms can cause other problems such as loss of appetite and weight loss.
THREADWORMS (PINWORMS) TREATMENT:
You can buy medicine for threadworms from pharmacies. This is usually a chewable tablet or liquid you swallow called Mebendazole.
Treat everyone in your household, even if they don't have symptoms.
Always have a consultation with your pharmacist to make sure you’re suitable to take any medication and so they can also give you some useful tips.
Tell the pharmacist if you need to treat a child under 2, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding or get frequent recurrences of threadworms. Treatment might not be suitable and you may need to speak to your doctor.
Mebendazole works by preventing the threadworms absorbing sugar so they should die within a few days. The medication is 90-100% effective but it doesn’t kill the eggs which is why strict hygiene measures are required.
HYGIENE MEASURES:
• Wash hands and scrub under fingernails – particularly before eating, after using the toilet or changing nappies
• Encourage children to wash hands regularly
• Bathe or shower every morning
• Rinse toothbrushes before using them and keep them in the cupboard.
• Keep fingernails short
• Wash sleepwear, sheets, towels and soft toys (at normal temperature)
• Disinfect kitchen and bathroom surfaces
• Vacuum and dust with a damp cloth
• Make sure children wear underwear at night – change it in the morning
• Do not shake clothing or bedding, to prevent eggs landing on other surfaces
• Do not share towels or flannels
• Do not bite nails or suck thumbs and fingers
HOW DO THREADWORMS (PINWORMS) SPREAD:
Threadworms spread when their eggs are swallowed. They lay eggs around your anus, which make it itchy. The eggs get stuck on your fingers when you scratch. They can then pass on to anything you touch.
Eggs can then pass to other people when they touch these surfaces and touch their mouth. They take around 2 weeks to hatch.
Children can get worms again after they've been treated for them if they get the eggs in their mouth. This is why it's important to encourage children to wash their hands regularly.
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Disclaimer:
This video is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Abraham The Pharmacist has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Always consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.