Pinworms and Your Child

by Angel Lynn Diamond | More from this Blogger

18 Apr 2009 05:06 PM

Pinworms are those nasty little white worms that infest their slimy, tiny bodies into the intestines. I know, not a pleasant topic, but very real especially in children. Do not be surprised if you find that your child has a case of pinworms as 10 to 40 per cent of children get them. The good thing is that they are easily treatable.

The first thing that will give you an inkling that your child has pinworms is if you notice them scratching their bottom. This also comes with difficulty sleeping or restless sleeping and wiggling around in their bed a lot. This is due to the culprit pinworm, the female. The female pinworm lays eggs around the anus of the infected person. The worms are difficult to see, as they are only an approximate ½ inch in size. You may even see them when your child has a bowel movement. If you suspect pinworms be sure and examine your child's stool for confirmation.

Pinworms are passed from child to child. They stay with your child for hours and can live up to 3 weeks at a time. They go from your child's fingers to their toys and enter somewhere in the body. They live in the upper intestine until it is time to hatch then they move on down through the intestinal tract and then out of the body to lay their eggs.

When your child is wakes up in the morning you will need to play detective to find out if your child has these nasty critters. Put a clear piece of tape around your child anus. Put the tape in a sealed envelope after you do this and take it to your child's pediatrician. Your child's doctor can put this tape under the microscope to diagnosis the problem.

If pinworms are seen your child's doctor will prescribe medication that consists of two doses taken two weeks apart. The whole family should be treated at the same time. All clothing including linens should be washed in hot water. All surfaces in the house should be cleaned and carpets and furniture vacuumed. These measures will hopefully prevent a recurrence of this nasty little varmint.

Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, and health.

Learn more about Angel Lynn Diamond

I am a mom to my precious one and only, a nurse in a heartwarming adult living facility, and a freelance writer.

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