What are the main symptoms of pinworm infection. How is pinworm infestation diagnosed and treated. Can pinworms cause serious health complications. What preventive measures help avoid pinworm reinfection.

Understanding Pinworms: A Common Intestinal Parasite

Pinworms, scientifically known as Enterobius vermicularis, are tiny parasitic worms that commonly infect the human intestinal tract. These threadlike creatures, while generally harmless, can cause significant discomfort, particularly in children. Despite their small size, pinworms have a remarkable ability to spread quickly, making them a persistent concern in many households and communities.

Pinworms are the most prevalent worm infection in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These parasites are uniquely adapted to the human body and cannot infect other animals. Adult female pinworms measure between 8-13 millimeters in length, while males are slightly smaller at 2-5 millimeters. Their whitish, thread-like appearance gives rise to their alternative name, threadworms.

Physical Characteristics of Pinworms

• Color: Whitish
• Shape: Thread-like
• Size: Females 8-13mm, Males 2-5mm
• Lifespan: 2-3 weeks

Are pinworms visible to the naked eye? Yes, adult pinworms can be seen without magnification, often appearing as small white threads in stool or around the anal area, especially at night when females emerge to lay eggs.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Pinworm Infection

Pinworm infections can manifest in various ways, though some individuals may remain asymptomatic. The hallmark symptom is intense itching around the anus, particularly at night. This itching typically begins 1-2 months after the initial infection, coinciding with the worms’ maturation and reproduction cycle.

Common Symptoms of Pinworm Infection

1. Anal itching, especially at night
2. Disturbed sleep or insomnia
3. Abdominal pain
4. Irritability
5. Infection of the female genital tract (in some cases)
6. Secondary bacterial infections due to scratching

Do all infected individuals show symptoms? No, the severity of symptoms often correlates with the intensity of the infection. Those harboring only a few adult worms may experience mild symptoms or none at all.

The Life Cycle and Transmission of Pinworms

Understanding the life cycle of pinworms is crucial for effective prevention and treatment. These parasites have a unique reproductive strategy that enables them to spread rapidly within households and communities.

The Pinworm Life Cycle

1. Egg laying: Female pinworms emerge from the anus at night to lay eggs on the surrounding skin.
2. Egg maturation: Eggs become infective within hours of being laid.
3. Transmission: Eggs are transferred to surfaces, clothing, or directly to hands through scratching.
4. Ingestion: New hosts ingest eggs through contaminated hands or surfaces.
5. Hatching: Eggs hatch in the small intestine, and larvae migrate to the large intestine.
6. Maturation: Worms mature and mate in the large intestine.
7. Cycle repeats: Female worms begin laying eggs, perpetuating the cycle.

How long can pinworm eggs survive outside the body? Pinworm eggs can remain viable on surfaces for up to two weeks, contributing to their high transmissibility.

Diagnosing Pinworm Infections: Methods and Challenges

Accurate diagnosis of pinworm infections is essential for effective treatment. Healthcare providers employ several methods to confirm the presence of these parasites.

Common Diagnostic Techniques

• Tape test: A piece of clear adhesive tape is applied to the anal area in the morning to collect eggs.
• Moistened swab: A healthcare provider takes a sample from the anal area using a damp swab.
• Visual inspection: Worms may be visible in stool, on underwear, or around the anus, particularly at night.

Is a single test sufficient to rule out pinworm infection? No, healthcare providers often recommend performing the tape test for five consecutive mornings to ensure accuracy, as egg-laying may not occur every night.

Effective Treatments for Pinworm Infections

While pinworm infections can be distressing, they are highly treatable with appropriate medication and hygiene practices. The goal of treatment is to eliminate both adult worms and eggs to prevent reinfection.

Medications for Pinworm Treatment

• Mebendazole: A prescription antiparasitic drug
• Pyrantel pamoate: Available over-the-counter in many countries
• Albendazole: Another prescription option, often used for more severe infections

Treatment typically involves two doses of medication, separated by two weeks. This regimen ensures that newly hatched worms are also eliminated, as most medications do not affect eggs.

Should all household members be treated for pinworms? Yes, it’s generally recommended that all household members receive treatment simultaneously to prevent reinfection, even if they are asymptomatic.

Preventing Pinworm Reinfection: Hygiene and Environmental Control

Preventing reinfection is crucial in managing pinworm outbreaks. Strict hygiene measures, combined with medication, can significantly reduce the risk of recurring infections.

Key Prevention Strategies

1. Thorough handwashing, especially after using the bathroom and before eating
2. Daily morning showers to remove any eggs laid overnight
3. Keeping fingernails short and clean
4. Avoiding scratching the anal area
5. Washing bedding and underwear in hot water daily
6. Regular cleaning of surfaces, toys, and bathroom fixtures

How long should preventive measures be maintained? It’s advisable to maintain strict hygiene practices for at least two weeks after treatment to ensure complete eradication of the infection.

Potential Complications and When to Seek Medical Attention

While pinworm infections are generally benign, complications can arise in certain circumstances. Understanding these potential issues is important for prompt medical intervention.

Possible Complications of Pinworm Infections

• Secondary bacterial infections due to excessive scratching
• Urinary tract infections, particularly in females
• Appendicitis (in rare, prolonged cases)
• Weight loss and nutritional deficiencies in severe, chronic infections

When should you consult a healthcare provider for pinworm concerns? Seek medical attention if you experience persistent symptoms despite home treatment, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or if the infected individual is an infant under six months old.

Pinworms in Special Populations: Considerations and Precautions

Certain groups require special consideration when it comes to pinworm infections and their treatment. These populations may be at higher risk for complications or require modified treatment approaches.

Special Considerations for Vulnerable Groups

1. Pregnant women: Some antiparasitic medications may not be safe during pregnancy
2. Breastfeeding mothers: Medication choice should consider potential effects on the infant
3. Infants under six months: Treatment requires careful medical supervision
4. Immunocompromised individuals: May experience more severe infections or complications

How are pinworm infections managed in pregnant women? Treatment decisions for pregnant women are made on a case-by-case basis, weighing the risks of the infection against potential medication side effects. Non-pharmacological methods may be emphasized.

Pinworm infections, while common and generally not serious, can cause significant discomfort and disruption to daily life. Understanding the symptoms, transmission, and treatment options is crucial for effective management. By combining appropriate medication with stringent hygiene practices, most pinworm infections can be successfully treated and prevented from recurring. Remember, prompt medical attention and consistent preventive measures are key to overcoming this persistent parasitic infection.

Pinworms (threadworms): Symptoms, causes, and treatments

The pinworm, also known as threadworm, is a common intestinal parasite. It mostly occurs in children and leads to itching around the anus. A pinworm infestation is known as enterobiasis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pinworms are the most common type of worm infection in the United States.

Pinworms are parasites. They use the human body to survive and reproduce. Human pinworms cannot infect any other animals.

Adult female worms are 8–13 millimeters (mm) long, and males are 2–5 mm. They are whitish in color and look like small pieces of thread. They live for 2–3 weeks.

Effective treatment is available that can eliminate pinworms.

Here, find out how to recognize a pinworm infestation and how to treat it.

Some people have no symptoms. If they occur, the main symptom is itching around the anus that can disturb sleep. This occurs 1–2 months after the pinworms enter the body, during the maturing and reproduction stage.

There may also be:

• insomnia due to disturbed sleep
• abdominal pain
• infection of the female genital tract
• a secondary infection due to scratching
• irritability due to itching

If an individual only has a small number of adult worms, the symptoms will be mild, or there may be no symptoms. Symptoms are worse with a more severe infection.

Treatment is with medication, such as:

• mebendazole
• pyrantel pamoate, available without prescription
• albendazole

A person will need one dose at the beginning and another dose of the same drug 2 weeks later. This will prevent reinfection, because the drugs do not kill the eggs.

If one member of a household has an infection, all members should receive treatment.

Speak with a doctor if a child under 2 years needs treatment. The doctor can recommend the safest and most effective approach for the child’s age.

Strict hygiene measures can remedy pinworm infection and significantly reduce the risk of reinfection.

Tips include the following:

• Practice careful handwashing techniques, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and handling food.
• Shower every morning to wash off any eggs. Showering is better than bathing as it prevents eggs passing onto the bath.
• Keep the fingernails clean to prevent reinfection.
• Avoid scratching around the anus.
• Avoid putting the fingers in the mouth.
• Wash bed linen and underclothes in hot water in the morning after waking up. Do not shake them but move them straight to the washer. Dry with a hot dryer.

When the infestation has gone, good handwashing practices and hygiene will help prevent reinfection. Good hygiene can prevent another outbreak even if children pick up another pinworm infection from friends at school.

If a person with a pinworm infection touches their underwear, bedsheets, or their anus, they can pick up eggs on their fingers.

If they touch another surface, they can leave the eggs there. Anyone who touches that surface and then touches their mouth is at risk of infection. Eggs can live on a surface for 2 weeks.

The female pinworm lays eggs around the anus and vagina. The eggs can be transferred from the person’s anus to:

• bed sheets
• carpets
• hands
• towels
• underwear and clothes

The female pinworm releases an itchy mucus when laying eggs, triggering an urge to scratch the affected area of the anus or vagina. From the hands, the eggs can pass on to anything that is touched, including:

• bathroom utensils, such as toothbrushes, combs, and brushes
• other people’s hands
• furniture
• kitchen and bathroom surfaces
• kitchen utensils
• toys

To diagnose a pinworm infection, a doctor may use the following:

Tape test

The doctor places a piece of clear plastic tape against the skin around the anus and then looks at the tape under a microscope. As the worm tends to lay eggs at night, good samples are more likely early in the morning. People may apply the tape at home and take or send the sample to the doctor.

Moistened swab

A doctor or nurse may take a moistened swab around the anal area.

Sighting a worm

Sometimes worms are visible in the anal area, on underwear, or in the toilet. In stool, they look like small pieces of white cotton thread.

To examine a child, inspect the anal area 2–3 hours after going to sleep, when the females are active outside the anus.

If there is no evidence of pinworms for 5 consecutive mornings, a doctor will not diagnose a pinworm infection.

Anyone who believes they have a pinworm infection should seek medical advice.

People should take extra care if they:

• are pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• have a baby less than 6 months of age

Occasionally, complications can arise, for instance:

• a secondary bacterial infection due to scratching
• urinary tract infection
• appendicitis, if the infection lasts a long time and there is no treatment

Here are some questions people often ask about pinworms.

How can you tell if you have pinworms?

The main symptom of pinworms is itching around the anus, especially at night.

How does a person get pinworms?

A person can take in the eggs by touching a surface that another person — who has an infection and has eggs on their fingers — has touched. Less commonly, they can take them in by shaking out bedding and breathing in and swallowing eggs in the air.

Do pinworms go away without treatment?

To treat pinworms, a doctor may recommend two doses of medication, 2 weeks apart and following strict hygiene practices to avoid reinfection. One medication, pyrantel pamoate, is available without a prescription. A doctor may not recommend medication for children under 2 years.

A pinworm infection happens when the eggs of a pinworm enter a person’s intestine. As the females mature, they move to the anal area. At night, they leave the anus and lay eggs in the area around it.

Some people have no symptoms, but it can cause severe itching. In the long term, more severe complications can occur.

Not everyone needs treatment for an infection, but two doses of medication 2 weeks apart can eliminate pinworms.

Pinworm infection – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Pinworm infection is the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the United States and one of the most common worldwide. Pinworms are thin and white, measuring about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 millimeters) in length.

Pinworm

An adult pinworm generally is 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 millimeters) in length. The most common symptom of infection is anal itching, particularly at night, as worms migrate to the host’s anal area to lay their eggs.

While the infected person sleeps, female pinworms lay thousands of eggs in the folds of skin surrounding the anus. Most people infected with pinworms have no symptoms, but some people experience anal itching and restless sleep.

Pinworm infection occurs most often in school-age children, and the tiny (microscopic) eggs are easily spread from child to child. Treatment involves oral drugs that kill the pinworms and thorough washing of pajamas, bedding and underwear. For best results, the entire family should be treated.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of pinworm infection may include:

• Itching of the anal or vaginal area
• Insomnia, irritability, teeth grinding and restlessness
• Occasional stomach pain and nausea

Pinworms often cause no symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you have severe anal itching, especially at night.

Causes

Accidentally swallowing or breathing in pinworm eggs causes a pinworm infection. The tiny (microscopic) eggs can be carried to your mouth by contaminated food, drink or your fingers. Once swallowed, the eggs hatch in the intestines and mature into adult worms within a few weeks.

Female pinworms move to the anal area to lay their eggs, which often results in anal itching. When you scratch the itchy area, the eggs cling to your fingers and get under your fingernails. The eggs then get transferred to other surfaces, such as toys, bedding or toilet seats. The eggs can also be transferred from contaminated fingers to food, liquids, clothes or other people.

Pinworm eggs can survive for two to three weeks on surfaces.

Risk factors

Risk factors for pinworm infection include:

• Being young. Pinworm infections are most likely to occur in children ages 5 to 10. The tiny (microscopic) eggs are easily spread to family members, caregivers, or other children at school or child care centers. Pinworm infections are uncommon in children younger than age 2.
• Living in crowded spaces. People who live in institutions are at higher risk of developing pinworm infections.

Complications

Typical pinworm infections don’t cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of female genitals.

The parasite can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes and around the pelvic organs. This can cause problems such as inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis) and inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus (endometritis).

Although rare, other complications of a pinworm infection may include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Weight loss
• Infection of part of the abdomen (peritoneal cavity)

Prevention

Pinworm eggs can cling to surfaces, including toys, faucets, bedding and toilet seats, for two weeks. So besides regular cleaning of surfaces, methods to help prevent the spread of pinworm eggs or to prevent reinfection include:

• Wash in the morning. Because pinworms lay their eggs at night, washing the anal area in the morning can help reduce the number of pinworm eggs on your body. Showering may help avoid possible re-contamination in bath water.
• Change underwear and bedding daily. This helps remove eggs.
• Launder in hot water. Wash bedsheets, pajamas, underwear, washcloths and towels in hot water to help kill pinworm eggs. Dry on high heat.
• Don’t scratch. Avoid scratching the anal area. Trim your child’s fingernails so there’s less space for eggs to collect. Suggest that your child avoid biting his or her nails.
• Wash your hands. To reduce your risk of getting or spreading an infection, wash your hands well after using the toilet or changing a diaper and before eating.

Enterobiasis – pinworm invasion. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of enterobiosis

Author

Vanyukova Irina Alexandrovna

Leading physician

Pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist, doctor of the highest category

Pediatrician

9 0002 Creation date: 2016.03.29

Pinworms

Enterobiasis is a parasitic disease, one of the most common helminthiases. Enterobiasis is caused by pinworms. In Latin pinworms are called Enterobius vermicularis, hence the name of the disease.

Pinworms are small round worms of a grayish-white color. The length of male pinworms is up to 5 mm, females – up to 13 mm. The living environment of pinworms is the human intestine (caecum, lower small intestine, large intestine). Pinworm eggs enter the human body by the oral route (through the mouth). In the intestines, larvae emerge from the eggs, which turn into sexually mature individuals. This process takes 2 to 4 weeks. The fertilized female crawls out of the anus and lays eggs around it. Eggs require a temperature of 34-36 °C and high humidity for maturation. The skin folds in the perianal region ideally provide these conditions. The exit of female pinworms most often occurs at night, when the muscles of the anal sphincter are relaxed. After that, the life cycle of the pinworm is completed. Thus, pinworms live no longer than a month.

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Causes of enterobiasis

How pinworm infection occurs

Enterobiasis can only be contracted from a person who is a carrier of pinworms. Pinworms do not live in the body of animals, and enterobiasis cannot be infected from animals.

Self-infection is common. The female pinworm lays up to 13,000 eggs, sealing them with an acid that causes intense itching. A person wants to scratch, and when he does this, the eggs fall under the nails, on the fingers, and from them – on the bed and underwear, household items. During life in a team, the spread of enterobiasis is very likely. If someone in the family becomes infected with pinworms, after some time enterobiasis can affect all family members.

Enterobiasis is a predominantly childhood disease

Most often, enterobiasis is detected in children aged 4 to 9 years. This is
due to the fact that children at this age already take care of their own
hygiene, but have not yet fully mastered all the necessary skills.

Enterobiasis symptoms

The main symptom of enterobiasis is severe itching in the anus. Itching usually begins 12-14 days after infection, when the first female pinworms crawl out to lay eggs. Enterobiasis is characterized by itching (or intensification of itching) at night.

Intensive scratching can lead to dermatitis, the addition of a secondary infection.

At the same time, very often the child suffers from enterobiasis unnoticed by the parents. If there are no other symptoms besides itching, the child may scratch, not considering this a problem and not complaining about anything. Therefore, enterobiasis is often detected only during preventive examinations of children.

Other symptoms of enterobiasis:

Abdominal pain

If there are many parasites in the intestines, abdominal pain and flatulence may occur.

Stool disorder

The presence of pinworms in the intestine leads to disruption of its work, dysbacteriosis develops, stool disorder is observed (alternating diarrhea and constipation).

Allergic manifestations

Pinworms release toxins that poison the body and cause a response in the form of allergic manifestations. With enterobiasis (especially in children), headache, dizziness, increased fatigue, and decreased performance are possible. Children can become capricious, excitable; such children are difficult to put to sleep, their sleep is easily interrupted. In a dream, they can scream, cry, grind their teeth.

Disease of the genitourinary system in women

In women, pinworms, migrating, can leave the anus and enter the vagina. At the same time, intestinal microflora (in particular, E. coli) can be introduced into the genital tract, which can lead to the development of inflammation – colpitis, urethritis.

Diagnostic methods for enterobiasis

Diagnosis of enterobiasis is made on the basis of the results of laboratory tests. Analysis of feces for eggs of helminth pinworms, as a rule, does not detect. This is due to the fact that pinworm eggs do not enter the feces. To detect pinworm lesions, scraping from the folds of the skin around the anus (scraping for enterobiasis) is used.

Scraping for enterobiasis

Scraping for enterobiasis in a child can be done in the treatment room of any of the clinics of the Family Doctor. The procedure is carried out quickly and does not cause any discomfort in children.

Biological material is transferred to the Family Doctor’s own laboratory for microscopic examination.

To accurately diagnose the disease, make an appointment with the specialists of the Family Doctor network.

Enterobiasis treatments

Enterobiosis

Treatment of enterobiasis is carried out by pediatricians, and in adult patients – by gastroenterologists.

For the success of treatment, it is important that all family members are treated at the same time. Careful observance of personal hygiene is also necessary. When treating children, parents should pay special attention to the hygiene of the child.

Anthelmintic drugs

Anthelmintic drugs are used in the treatment of enterobiasis.

Do not self-medicate. Contact our specialists who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

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Enterobiasis (pinworms) in children – symptoms and treatment, clinical guidelines

Enterobiasis is a helminthiasis that develops when the colon and rectum of a person are infected with pinworms. It is diagnosed most often in children, although adults can also be infected. Diagnosis is carried out by microscopic detection of eggs. Pinworms in children cause characteristic symptoms. Treatment includes hygiene and deworming. The clinic “RebenOK” carries out diagnostics taking into account the symptoms and treatment of enterobiasis at the best prices in Moscow.

After ascariasis, enterobiasis is in 2nd place. Approximately 400 million people suffer from this disease. Most often, children become infected due to insufficient personal hygiene, as well as people working in children’s groups (boarding schools, schools, preschool institutions).

The pinworm is highly contagious. The eggs of the parasite Enterobius vermicularis are transmitted from person to person. They survive outside the host organism up to 2-3 weeks. There are two mechanisms of infection with enterobiasis – fecal-oral and aerosol (by air). In the first case, we are talking about the contact-household, water and alimentary (food) form of infection. The transmission factor is dirty hands, which contain pinworm eggs. Infection through the water of pools, rivers and lakes is unlikely.

The development of pinworms in the human body is a cycle:

1. Once the eggs are ingested, they reach the small intestine where larvae form.
2. They pass into the large intestine, where they parasitize at the stage of maturation.
3. After 1-2 months, adult females lay eggs in the rectal area.

Because of the unbearable itching, children comb the anal area. In this case, the eggs of the parasite fall under the overgrown edge of the nail plate. In the absence of proper hygiene, they penetrate the oral cavity and the life cycle of the nematode resumes.

Worms of the nematode class have a rounded pointed body. The length of the female reaches 1.3 cm, the male – 0.5 cm. Males die after fertilization. The life expectancy of a female is 1 month, during which they produce offspring (lay eggs). After fertilization, the size of the body increases, the possibility of fixation is lost. Reaching the rectum, they crawl out, laying eggs in the perinatal folds.

The uterus of a female can contain up to 17,000 eggs. The larvae develop under certain conditions: at a temperature of 22-39degrees and exposure to oxygen. It takes 5 hours for the larva to reach the invasive stage. Pinworm eggs have high levels of protection – they survive and remain invasive for up to 1 month, and sometimes longer. They are not sensitive to many disinfectants, but quickly die under the influence of a soapy solution, when boiled and ironed.

Nematode eggs can survive on food and drinks, dishes, countertops, doorknobs, bedding, clothes, etc. It is impossible to get pinworms from pets, because they do not participate in the life cycle of the parasite. Enterobius vermicularis parasites are tiny but can be seen with the naked eye.

Pinworms cause severe itching in the perinatal folds around the anus. In women and girls, hookworms can also cause vaginal itching and a characteristic discharge.

The condition worsens at night, which is associated with the activity of the parasite at night. This leads to insomnia, irritability and nervousness. Adults and children with enterobiasis can spend a lot of time in the shower, as water helps to cope with the symptoms of the disease, improving the condition.

The most common symptoms of pinworms in children are:

• rash and itching around the anus;
• irritable bowel and increased gas;
• accelerated (3-4 times a day) decorated chair;
• excessive irritability, moodiness, tearfulness;
• headaches, memory impairment.

Nighttime urinary incontinence is another possible symptom of enterobiasis in children, which is prevalent predominantly in preschoolers. This is because pinworms irritate the urethra, the thin tube through which urine leaves the bladder and exits the body.

Children and adults who develop enterobiasis scratch the itchy area. This leads to swelling, redness and bleeding. Bacteria can enter the wound, leading to a rectal abscess.

By exerting a mechanical effect on the walls of the intestinal mucosa, nematodes provoke dysmotility and secretion, causing inflammation of the digestive organs. Against this background, enteritis may develop.

Pinworms sometimes cause digestive symptoms

• abdominal pain;
• nausea;
• loss of appetite.

This condition is accompanied by weight loss and characteristic weakness. As parasites, pinworms suck out essential nutrients from the body, leading to the development of deficient conditions. Sometimes pinworms spread to the female reproductive tract, leading to complications (urinary tract infections, vaginitis).

Against the background of enterobiasis, a decrease in the protective functions of the body is observed. For this reason, the child is more likely to suffer from acute respiratory diseases. Exacerbation of chronic diseases is observed. A slight increase in body temperature is not excluded.

Enterobiasis is usually diagnosed based on symptoms. However, there are other causes of pruritus ani, including skin irritation, diarrhea, and infections other than parasitic infestation. The diagnosis can be confirmed by identifying eggs or worms in specimens examined under a microscope. Sometimes parents themselves manage to detect pinworms on the folds of the skin near the anus or in the feces.

To confirm the diagnosis, clinical symptoms and the general condition of the patient are taken into account.

Screening is carried out in two ways: from the perianal folds (imprint with adhesive tape), scraping for enterobiasis in children (using a cotton swab). To obtain reliable information, the study is repeated 2-3 times at a certain interval. When conducting a coprogram, nematode eggs can be detected in rare cases.

Before treating pinworms in children, the diagnosis should be confirmed. Enterobiasis can be cured without medication, by carefully carrying out hygiene procedures to prevent re-infection. This method is applicable to children who have contraindications to anthelmintics. Recovery occurs over a longer period than with drug treatment.

Key recommendations for non-pharmacological treatment:

1. The child should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet and walking.
2. Care must be taken to ensure that the child does not lick his hands.
3. Nails must be cut short.
4. Bedding should be changed daily, boiled and ironed.
5. Wash your child with soap in the morning and evening.

The use of tablets for the treatment of enterobiasis in children is a more reliable way that ensures a quick recovery. Anthelmintic drugs cause the death of the parasite.

14 days after deworming, you need to re-diagnose. If the test result for enterobiasis in children is negative, then the child is considered recovered. If the clinical picture of helminthic invasion persists, then the drugs are repeated in the same dosage.

Doctor’s expert opinion

Treatment of pinworms in children is carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician. An incorrectly selected drug can lead to the introduction of pinworms into the mucous and submucosal layers of the intestine. Pinworms can cause the development of a purulent inflammatory process. This leads to indigestion, impaired motility of the gastrointestinal tract.

Ignatieva Olga Nikolaevna Pediatrician, candidate of medical sciences

Preventive measures are aimed at instilling standard hygiene habits in children.

Clinical recommendations for enterobiasis in children:

• be sure to cut your nails as they grow back;
• wash hands before sitting down to eat, after going to the toilet and after returning home from the street.

Children who attend educational institutions are examined for enterobiasis for prevention purposes. This approach allows to exclude mass infection.

Enterobiosis is a common helminthiasis that contributes to the development of a number of somatic diseases. Pinworms lead to an exacerbation of chronic diseases, and this fact has been scientifically proven.

Medicines and personal hygiene are the main therapeutic measures for enterobiasis. If contact with the source of infection is maintained, re-infection is not ruled out.

If you have symptoms of helminthic invasion, contact the RebenOK clinic. An experienced pediatrician will diagnose and tell you how to treat enterobiasis in children by prescribing effective drugs for pinworms.

Sources:

1. Arakelyan R.S., Sergeeva N.A., Konnova O.V. Clinical and epidemiological aspects of enterobiasis in schoolchildren // Children’s infections. 2018. URL: https://cyberleninka.