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My friends teenager has pinworms,,where did they come from & how do you get rid of them?Any natural remedies?

2007-02-26 16:12:38 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health Diseases & Conditions Other - Diseases

7 answers

This should help to answer your questions, just click on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinworms

This one may help if you go through them for your last question, just click on it.

http://www.google.com/hws/search?hl=en&client=emachines&q=natural+remedies+for+pinworms

2007-02-26 16:19:52 · answer #1 · answered by junkmail 6 · 0 1

The pinworm (Genus Enterobius) is a parasitic roundworm of the phylum Nematoda.

The best known is the human pinworm, also known as the threadworms Enterobius vermicularis and the more recently discovered Enterobius gregorii. The adult pinworm male is 1–4 mm in length, while the adult female is 8–13 mm and possess the long, pin-shaped posterior end for which the worm is named. The human pinworm is commonly found in children.

The pinworm lives in the lower part of the small intestine, and the upper part of the colon. It is found worldwide and causes the common infection enterobiasis in humans. Unlike many other intestinal parasites, the pinworm does not usually enter the bloodstream or any other organs besides the intestines. Only in rare cases disoriented pinworms can be found in the vagina, and even more rarely in the uterus, fallopian tubes, liver and peritoneum; but the worms cannot survive long in these places.

After mating, the male dies. The female migrates to the anus and emerges, usually during the night, to deposit about 10,000 to 20,000 eggs in the perianal area (around the anus). She then secretes a substance that causes a very strong itching sensation, inciting the host to scratch the area and thus transfer some of the eggs to the fingers. Eggs can also be transferred to cloth, toys and the bathtub. Once ingested orally, the larvae hatch and migrate back to the intestine, growing to maturity in 30-45 days. The eggs can survive from 2 to 3 weeks on their own outside of the human body. It is also in some cases where the larva will hatch around the skin of the anus and travel back inside the anus, up the rectum and back into the intestines where it matures.

Except for itching, pinworm infestation does not usually cause any damage to the body. Sleep disturbance may arise from the itching or crawling sensations. Some case reports suggest that severe infestation may be associated with an increased risk for appendicitis. There is also some evidence of an association between enterobiasis and diminished zinc levels.

Anti-pinworm drugs such as Albenza (albendazole) or Vermox (mebendazole) are commonly used to treat pinworms. It is not a necessity to visit a doctor to get these drugs, as they are commonly available as over the counter medications; ask a pharmacist for medicines to treat pinworms (or threadworms as they are known in the UK). These medicines kill the pinworms 95% of the time, but do not kill the eggs. The person being treated may have to return after a time of two weeks to be re-treated. Another precaution towards treating the eradication of pinworms is to wash hands before eating (to prevent any pinworm eggs under fingernails from being ingested) and to wash any area or clothes that have touched or been in the vicinity of the infected areas. Treating the entire family is often necessary for cure.

2007-02-26 17:59:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

Pinworms are very common and very easily spread (chances are that other members of the family may be infected as well). You get pinworms by ingesting the eggs. The eggs are microscopic - typically they are transferred to bed sheets, then to the fingers and then the mouth. I don't know of any natural remedies, however there are several over the counter and prescription oral drugs (pin-X is a common one). It's easy to treat (you take two doses at two week intervals). Although they are not a serious problem, I wouldn't recommend letting it go untreated because they will likely be spread to other people.

2007-02-26 16:28:45 · answer #3 · answered by jowpers 2 · 1 0

You become infected after swallowing infective pinworm eggs from contaminated surfaces or fingers. They live in the rectum but the female leaves the intestines while the host sleeps and lays eggs on the skin. They can live up to 2 weeks on clothing, bedding, objects, etc. Treatment involves a two-dose course. The second dose given 2 weeks after the first.

Keep hands out of mouth. No nail biting. Open windows(eggs don't like sunlight) wash clothes often.

2007-02-26 16:27:24 · answer #4 · answered by ambernpeach 4 · 1 0

They came from someone else who had pinworms. They're very contagious, and often carried by children. (Something like 60% of all children get them, and they're no big deal, really.) They're just a small intestinal parasite. (Enterobius vermicularis is the scientific name.)

There really aren't natural remedies. He'll need medication to kill the worms and their eggs. It's a pretty simple and straightforward course of pills, and any doctor can call in the prescription.

Let your friend know that it would be a good idea to wash the bedsheets with bleach, and to disinfect commonly touched surfaces like lightswitches, countertops, doorknobs, etc. since the eggs can lay dormant for a while and still be infectious.

2007-02-26 16:19:25 · answer #5 · answered by Emmy 6 · 0 1

What is pinworm infection?

This infection is caused by a small, white intestinal worm called Enterobius vermicularis (EN-ter-O-be-us ver-MIK-u-lar-is). Pinworms are about the length of a staple and live in the rectum of humans. While an infected person sleeps, female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and deposit eggs on the surrounding skin.
What are the symptoms of a pinworm infection?

Itching around the anus, disturbed sleep, and irritability are common symptoms. If the infection is heavy, symptoms may also include loss of appetite, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. Symptoms are caused by the female pinworm laying her eggs. Most symptoms of pinworm infection are mild; many infected people have no symptoms.
Who is at risk for pinworm infection?

Pinworm is the most common worm infection in the United States. School-age children, followed by preschoolers, have the highest rates of infection. In some groups nearly 50% of children are infected. Infection often occurs in more than one family member. Adults are less likely to have pinworm infection, except mothers of infected children. Child care centers, and other institutional settings often have cases of pinworm infection.
How is pinworm infection spread?

Pinworm eggs are infective within a few hours after being deposited on the skin. They can survive up to 2 weeks on clothing, bedding, or other objects. You or your children can become infected after accidentally ingesting (swallowing) infective pinworm eggs from contaminated surfaces or fingers.
How is pinworm infection diagnosed?

If pinworms are suspected, transparent adhesive tape (often called the "scotch tape test") or a pinworm paddle (supplied by your health care provider) are applied to the anal region. The eggs become glued to the sticky tape or paddle and are identified by examination under a microscope. Because bathing or having a bowel movement may remove eggs, the test should be done as soon as you wake up in the morning. You may have to provide several samples to your health care provider for examination. Since scratching of the anal area is common, samples taken from under the fingernails may also contain eggs. Eggs are rarely found during lab examinations of stool or urine. At night, the adult worms can sometimes be seen directly in bedclothes or around the anal area.
How is pinworm infection treated?

With either prescription or over-the-counter drugs. You should consult your health care provider before treating a suspected case of pinworm. Treatment involves a two-dose course. The second dose should be given 2 weeks after the first.
What if the pinworm infection occurs again?

The infected person should be treated with the same two-dose treatment. Close family contacts should also be treated. If the infection occurs again, you should search for the source of the infection. Playmates, schoolmates, close contacts outside the house, and household members should be considered. Each infected person should receive the usual two-dose treatment. In some cases it may be necessary to treat with more than two doses. One option is four to six treatments spaced 2 weeks apart.
How can I prevent the spread of infection and reinfection?

* Bathe when you wake up to help reduce the egg contamination.
* Change and wash your underwear each day. Frequent changing of night clothes are recommended.
* Change underwear, night clothes, and sheets after each treatment. Because the eggs are sensitive to sunlight, open blinds or curtains in bedrooms during the day.
* Personal hygiene should include washing hands after going to the toilet, before eating and after changing diapers.
* Trim fingernails short.
* Discourage nail-biting and scratching bare anal areas. These practices help reduce the risk of continuous self reinfection.

Cleaning and vacuuming the entire house or washing sheets every day are probably not necessary or effective. Screening for pinworm infection in schools or institutions is rarely recommended. Children may return to day care after the first treatment dose, after bathing, and after trimming and scrubbing nails.

2007-02-26 17:25:14 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 3 0

They go away by themselves~! Commonly, babies get them/ toddlers. They get passed around in childcares ,preschools and such~!

2007-02-26 16:17:15 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0 3

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