What are Pinworms?
Pinworms are described as tiny, white, thread-like worms that can live in the bowels. Children under the age of ten years old are extremely susceptible to these types of worms but they can affect adults. They are not harmful and easily treatable.
The diagnoses of Pinworms are based on the symptoms and a physical examination. Your doctor may take a swab sample from the anus area to collect the eggs that are then sent to the laboratory for further testing.
What Causes Pinworms?
Pinworms are usually spread through children who then pass the infection from person to person. The female worm then ventures out of the infected child or adults anus at night to lay eggs on the anus while he or she is asleep. As a result, intense itching and scratching occurs and the eggs are transferred to the fingers.
Because the eggs are caught under the fingernails, they will now infect anything (such as food, towels, toys etc) that they come into contact with. These eggs may also drop off, for example if shaken off bedclothes and form part of the household dust.
Help for Pinworms
Threadworm can be treated with conventional medication such as mebendazole (Vermox) and can be administered as a single dose. Medication may be in the form of either tablets or a powdered drink to make it easier for the child to ingest, yet these medications are seldom pleasant tasting.
If your child has been infected, it is advisable that the entire family be treated at the same time. Treatment needs to be repeated after two weeks to avoid re-infestation together with practicing good hygiene habits.
Herbs and homeopathic remedies are a more natural and gentler alternative to keeping the intestinal system worm-free. Use herbs such as Glycorrhiza glabra (licorice root), Agrimonia eupatoria (Agrimony), Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) and Artemesia africana (Wormwood or Wilde-Als) to soothe the digestive tract and support the immune system.
In addition, homeopathic ingredients such as Chamomilla and Cina promote balance and harmony in the digestive system and help to keep the body free of intestinal worms & parasites.