Even though pinworms can be upsetting for many parents, it is vital to bear in mind that they only trigger mild infections or infestations.
The infestations are caused by the Enterobius vermicularis roundworm. Once an individual ingests the roundworm eggs, they travel up to the intestines and hatch. After 4-6 weeks, the adult female worms release their eggs on the perianal skin. Take note that these eggs are highly contagious for up to 2-3 weeks and picked up as children scratch their bottom. These eggs can spread to others via direct contact or sharing of objects.
Indications of pinworms
The characteristic indication of pinworms is no other than rectal itching. In rare circumstances, pinworms can trigger vaginal itchiness. In either case, the itchiness becomes worse at night time and can disrupt with the child’s sleep.
There are also other causes of rectal and vaginal itching such as poor hygiene. Even perianal cellulitis can also cause rectal itching that is often misdiagnosed as a pinworm infestation. If the child has redness around the rectum and/or does not respond to the treatment or has several negative tests, a doctor should be asked for the possibility of perianal cellulitis that requires treatment using antibiotics
Diagnosis
A diagnosis is often made by parents who discover live, small-sized ½ inch white, thread-like worms in the stool of the child. The doctor will also check for the presence of pinworm eggs that can be collected on a pinworm prep or with a homemade scotch tape test.
Oftentimes, the doctor can also come up with a diagnosis based on the classic symptoms evident in a child.
Management
Among children over 2 years old, pinworms are generally managed with prescription medications such as mebendazole. It is sad to note that it has been discontinued by the manufacturer back in 2011.
An over-the-counter option such as pyrantel pamoate is widely used to treat pinworms which is available in liquid form.
One of the vital points in managing pinworms is to repeat the dosage in 2 weeks to be sure and completely eliminate any newly hatched eggs. In addition, since some family members might also have pinworm infestation without any symptoms, it is oftentimes recommended that the entire family is treated with care in managing children below 2 years old and pregnant women.
Preventive measures
Other measures to consider if a child has pinworms include the following:
- Trim the nails of the child short
- Observe regular hand washing
- Encourage the child to keep their fingers out of the mouth
- Thorough washing of towels, sheets and other objects using hot water