Pinworms In Children
Pinworm is caused by infections particularly in children, especially between age of five to ten years. Any individual can be infected by this but children are more likely to be infected by this ailment. An itchy rectal area is the most common amongst the children because the female worms are very active at the time of night to crawl out of the anus to deposit their eggs. This may be bit annoying but does not pose any serious health problem.
Pinworms Causes
Female worm may spread the infections, which are deposited around the anus. A female worm can roughly produce ten thousand eggs in her life. These may be lodged under the fingernails on scratching the perianal area and spread to any thing that is touched by the concerned children. Even the infected toys, bedding, clothing and dust can spread the eggs. Newly ingested eggs can hatch and mature into adult worms and newly pregnant worm may migrate from this area to the rectum for eggs.
Pinworms symptoms in children
1. An itching around the anus, which may become worse at night on getting the female worm depositing her eggs to cause problem during sleep of infected child. An inflammation can cause intense itching to let the skin break down to allow the secondary bacterial infection to develop.
2. These may at times migrate into vagina or urinary tract to cause irritation and intense itching. It is very rare infection.
3. Usually abdominal pain, bloody bowel movements, fevers and poor appetite are not caused by it. Consulting the doctor in case of such sign is advisable.
Pinworms Treatment
A single tablet named Albenza or Vermox can be taken to kill worm and is available in different strengths for the adults and children for the younger than two years of age. The second tablet should be taken after the gap of two weeks because the eggs can survive for few weeks. The doctor can recommend the tablets for every member of the house to treat them all at the same time. The tap water enemas is also advised to help flush out the pinworms to reduce symptoms.
Prevention
- Try to wash hands before and after taking meals or after using toilets to prevent the infection to spread.
- Scratching of the anal area should be avoided.
- Biting of fingernails of child must be avoided.
- Fingernails of child must be trimmed regularly and clean.
- Try to get the pajamas or bedding be washed regularly.
- Infants and child’s underwear must be changed daily.
- Lingering eggs should be destroyed by washing all bedding, clothing and toys or every three to seven days for three weeks.
Precautions
- Treatment should be applied on all the children at same time.
- Anal area of children must be washed daily with soap and water particularly in the morning.
- Children are taught not to touch their mouth after scratching the anal area.
- Children are advised to put on pajamas to prevent scratching in the night.
- Toilet seat must be scrubbed daily and use separate towel after using toilet.
