Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home / Digestive / Parasites

Hygiene Tips and Self-Care for a Pinworm Infection

September 11, 2019 - Updated on November 10, 2020
5 min read
By Mark Travis, MD | Internist

In this article:

  • Self-Care Measures for Managing a Pinworm Infection
  • Dietary Recommendations for a Pinworm Infection
  • Final Word

Enterobiasis refers to a contagious parasitic infection caused by pinworms. This infection spreads through swallowing or inhaling the eggs of the pinworm.

ways to treat pinworm

A pinworm infection is common among children, and it can be easily treated with medications and hygiene measures.

Self-Care Measures for Managing a Pinworm Infection

Personal cleanliness is key in breaking the pinworm cycle and banishing the infection for good.

You can adopt the following measures to ensure that the recommended standard of personal and home sanitation is met:

Advertisements

1. Regularly wash your hands

Pinworm eggs latch onto your fingers as you scratch your itchy bottom and are then transmitted. Therefore, keep your hands clean at all times by washing them regularly with mild soap and warm water.

ALSO READ: Steps to Wash Your Hands Properly

2. Bathe daily

bathe daily to get rid of pinworms

Shower every morning to rid your body of the eggs that the worms laid around the anus overnight.

3. Observe proper nail hygiene

To minimize the risk of contamination, it is essential that you keep your nails short. Nail-biting is strongly discouraged if you wish to overcome this infection, and keeping your nails short will help in this regard too.

4. Wear proper underwear

Wear clean, dry, and well-fitted underpants every day.

5. Change your sleeping clothes

Do not wear the same sleepwear on consecutive nights. Wash your night clothes in hot water the morning after, before wearing them again.

Advertisements

6. Clean floors

keep the floors of your house clean at all times

To keep your living environment free of pinworms, it is recommended to mop or vacuum the floors of your house regularly until the threat of contamination is effectively resolved.

If you have carpets or rugs on the floor, it is mandatory to vacuum them as well.

7. Clean surfaces

It is essential that you thoroughly clean your kitchen counters, fridge handle, faucet knobs, toilet seat, and flush handle daily.

8. Keep your home illuminated

Pinworms lay their eggs at night primarily because these eggs are sensitive to light. Thus, ensuring that your room or living space has enough light during the day can naturally extinguish the eggs.

9. Do not scratch

Resist the urge to scratch your anal area, no matter how strong the itch.

Instead of rubbing or scratching the infected anal skin, you are advised to wash it with warm water and soap. This may help disinfect the site and relieve the itch at the same time.

Advertisements

10. Clean your toilet essentials

It is recommended to seal your toothbrush in a case to keep airborne eggs from landing on it.

11. Clean toys

If you have a child in the house, you must clean his/her toys, too.

12. Do not use the bathtub

People with an ongoing pinworm infection should avoid taking baths in a tub as the still water can easily get contaminated with pinworm eggs.

It is for this same reason that infected people are strictly advised against sharing a bathtub with others for as long as their condition persists.

13. Decontaminate used linens, underclothes, and towels

Carefully place the infected items into the washer and wash them in hot water. Then, run them through a hot dryer to kill any eggs that may have remained.

Dietary Recommendations for a Pinworm Infection

Making some changes in your diet can help manage the infection:

Advertisements

1. Consume a fiber-rich diet

consume a fiber-rich diet to avoid pinworms

Consume a fiber-rich diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, grain, whole wheat, and raisins to make your stools bulkier.

The more weight your stool has, the easier it will be to wipe away the pinworms in your gut along with the bowel movement.

2. Consume garlic

Consume garlic as a part of your meals for its potential anthelminthic properties. (1)(2)

Advertisements

You can also crush a few cloves of garlic and mix them with water to make garlic juice. Avoid excessive intake of garlic to prevent gastrointestinal problems.

ALSO READ: A Detailed Guide to Garlic: What’s in It, Why It’s Good for You, and More

3. Eat pumpkin seeds

Its active compound, cucurbitacin, is believed to have anthelmintic properties. (3) However, further research is required to warrant its effects. Avoid use if allergic reaction occurs.

4. Limit your carbohydrate and sugar intake

Parasites such as pinworms derive their sustenance from starches and sugar.

Final Word

Anthelminthic treatment, which involves using antiparasitic medication to eradicate the worms from your body, is the primary strategy for dealing with pinworm infection.

However, the treatment will only bear successful results when performed in conjunction with the above-listed hygienic measures.

Continue Reading Continue ReadingPinworm Infection: How It Spreads, Treatment, and Complications
References
  1. Cortés A; García-Ferrús M; Sotillo J; Guillermo Esteban J; Toledo R; Muñoz-Antolí C; Effects of dietary intake of garlic on intestinal trematodes. Parasitology research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28536879/. Published 2017.
  2. Zhong R, Xiang H, Cheng L, et al. Effects of Feeding Garlic Powder on Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and the Health Status of Lambs Infected by Gastrointestinal Nematodes. Animals: an open access journal from MDPI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6466378/. Published March 20, 2019.
  3. Grzybek M, Kukula-Koch W, Strachecka A, et al. Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity and Composition of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seed Extracts-In Vitro and in Vivo Studies. International journal of molecular sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037735/. Published September 1, 2016.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YesNo
Advertisements

READ NEXT

Colon Cancer Screening: Who Should Get Screened and How

By Kanwar Gill, MD

Cancer is regarded as a silent killer as it mostly shows symptoms in its advanced stages when it may be...

Read more

Acid Reflux in Children: What to Eat and What to Avoid

By Vasuki Wijendran, PhD, RDN

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disorder that occurs when stomach contents frequently flow back up into the...

Read more

Stomach Ulcers: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Self-Care

By Marina Kim, DO

Ulcers refer to sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach or intestine and cause pain. Peptic ulcers...

Read more

Pinworm Infection: How It Spreads, Treatment, and Complications

By Mark Travis, MD

Pinworms or threadworms are intestinal parasites that can trigger a highly contagious infection cycle once they find their way into...

Read more

Why Does Alcohol Give You Diarrhea and How to Prevent It

By Amit Roy, MD

Drinking alcohol is a common activity throughout the world that is associated with side effects. The effects of alcohol ingestion...

Read more

You’ll Also Like

  • Pinworm Infection: How It Spreads, Treatment, and Complications
  • Self-Care Tips to Prevent and Relieve Jock Itch
  • Tonsillitis: Home Remedies and Prevention Tips
  • 10 Home Remedies for Boils and Abscesses
  • Tips to Prevent and Treat Watery Eyes
Advertisements

Newsletter

GET WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATES TO YOUR INBOX!

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.