Pinworms or threadworms are one of most common intestinal parasites not only in the US but also in the entire world. These parasites use your body to survive as well as reproduce the eggs. The microscopic eggs of these parasites measure between 5-10 millimeters. Unless treated in good time, pinworms can cause you a number of health related complications.
[tr-indexa header=”Table of Content”]
Symptoms of Pinworms
There are people who do not experience any form of symptoms despite being affected by the pinworms. Some of the common symptoms of pinworms include
- Disturbed sleep
- Itching of the anal region
- Itching vaginal area
- Nausea and a feeling of weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Weight loss
Note: If you face severe symptoms of pinworms, ensure that you seek the services of a well trained medical expert so that you do face more health problems in the near future.
Causes of Pinworm Infection
Pinworms tend to mature in your intestines before moving through your digestive system so that they can lay their eggs in your anal area. The major cause of pinworms is poor hygiene. The eggs of these parasites are transferred from your anus to the mouth or any other surface. If another person touches your mouth or any of the affected areas, he or she is likely to be infected with the problem.
The eggs of these parasites are easily transferred from your anus to different areas including hands, bed sheets, towels as well as underwear among others. Female pinworms tend to release mucus (itchy) as they lay their eggs. From your hands, the eggs can easily be transferred to toys, utensils, furniture, bathroom utensils and tooth among others.
Diagnosis of Pinworms
To diagnose whether you have pinworms or not, medical experts can use different methods including tape test, sighting the worms and moistened swab among others.
Tape test
To perform the tape test, your doctor will place a plastic tape around your anus and ten look at it under the microscope. The doctor might ask you to apply the tape before going to the toilet
Moistened swab
Moistened swab is another common method used in the process of diagnosis of pinworms among patients in the country. The doctor or your nurse can take a moistened swab in the area around your anus.
Sighting a worm
At times the worms can be seen around your anal region. For kids, it is good to inspect them for two hours after falling asleep.
16 Best Home Remedies for Pinworms
It is not mandatory to dig deeper into your pocket seeking for treatment against pinworms because you can treat the same using different home remedies. To get rid of pinworms, simply use the following techniques.
1. Vinegar
Vinegar has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory that make it an amazing product as far as pinworm treatment is concerned. You can wash the private parts of your kids with the help of vinegar solution.
Mix one or two cups of vinegar with three cups of water and then wash your children very well with vinegar treated water as well as anti-bacterial treated water. For effective results, you should undertake this treatment every time your kid goes to the toilet.
Vinegar is an acidic solution that effectively kills all the parasites that lead to infection. However, never use undiluted vinegar acid because it can lead to dangerous burns on your skin.
2. Garlic
Garlic boasts of antibacterial as well as antifungal properties that makes it ideal in the treatment of pinworms. Take 4 cloves and then carefully peel them. Crush your cloves before applying them on your child’s private parts. For girls, you can apply to the vaginal areas. Leave it for some hours before cleaning with the help of warm water afterwards.
You can also include garlic in your food for effective and fast results. This will assist in eliminating the pinworms from the kids’ intestinal tract. In addition, you can crush on garlic and then add honey before giving to your kid.
3. Castor oil
Castor oil is yet another effective home remedy when it comes to dealing with pinworms. You can combine castor oil with coconut oil when cooking for better results.
Application of castor and coconut oils is also very helpful in reducing inflammation as well as redness brought about by scratching your private parts. The oils will help your child to have better and longer sleeping hours.
4. Hot Water
Soak your kid’s underclothes and clothes in heated water for 30 minutes. You need to wash your kids’ clothes at least on a daily basis to prevent the spread of the worms.
5. Vaseline and Castor Oil
Vaseline comes with various chemicals that can help in fighting the development of pinworms. You can mix Vaseline and castor oil in order to dilute the chemicals found in Vaseline before applying on your kids’ private parts. Let it for about 30 minutes or more before cleaning with the warm water and a detergent.
6. Grapefruit seed
Grapefruit Seed extract comes in the liquid as well as liquid form in various shops. You only need to take one pill of grapefruit seed per day for one week to get rid of pinworms from your body once and for all. Similarly, you can place the extract of grapefruit seed in 10 drops of water.
7. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkins have many chemicals that make them ideal in the treatment of infections brought about parasites that lead to this health complication. The chemicals can eliminate the worms as well as their eggs from your body.
Crush these seeds and then give them to your child along with warm water and honey for better outcome. You can do this after four hours for a period of four days to get rid of the worms.
8. Wormwood
Wormwood has isothujone ,Santonin and thujone. The three ingredients have antiseptic properties that make it ideal for treating pinworms. Wormwood damages the membranes of the parasites thus killing them. You only need to add a few drops of wormwood in a cup of heated water and then drink.
This method is recommended for kids because it is not only effective but safe for remedying this complication. You can give the drink to anyone who is infected with the worms. Wormwood can kill larvae, eggs as well as adult pinworms.
9. Coconut
Fresh coconuts are used in different places including India and Southeast Asia to remedy pinworm infections. You can take one teaspoonful of coconut flesh and then add a teaspoonful of castor oil one or two hours afterwards. You can do this on a daily basis to flush out the worms from your body in less than one week.
10. Carrots and cabbages
Carrots and cabbages have sulfur compounds that can help you to get rid of pinworms. You only need to grate fresh carrots and then consume them before going to bed. If you have a picky kid, you can add honey to the carrots to make them tastier.
11. White Willow Bark
Although white willow bark is not easy to find in some parts of the world, it is highly recommended for those faced with pinworms. The natural remedy has salicylic acid that is used in making aspirin.
To apply this form of treatment, simply add one teaspoonful of this substance to warm water or tea and then take thrice daily for better outcome.
12. Clove and Flaxseeds
Combining flaxseeds and clove is not only easy but also effective in the treatment of pinworms related complications. The properties of clove and flaxseeds have the ability to combat the effect of pinworms.
To use the remedy for kids, add honey or a fruit to make it tasty. Continue with this schedule for some days until you realize positive outcome before changing. In addition, you can combine them with smoothies or even savory foods to make them tasty for children.
The treatment will vary depending on the level of severity you are facing.
13. Yellow squash seeds
Just like pumpkins, yellow squash seeds have properties such as sulfur that makes them an ideal solution in the treatment of pinworms. The preparation of yellow squash seeds is very similar to pumpkins although these seeds require boiling the water used in the process.
Combine about 50 grams of your well crushed yellow squash seeds with three cups of water and then boil for about 15 minutes. Drink a small amount of the filtered liquid every day after eight hours between one meal and another then taking thrice.
You should filter your water and then cool in order to remove debris as well as seeds. It is wise to drink the yellow squash seeds for days until the pinworms are longer in your body. You use for both adults and children forms of treatment.
14. Onions
Did you know that onions are effective for pinworms treatment? Onions are good in the treatment of different diseases including pinworms. Onions have sulfur as one of its active ingredients that are useful in fighting against the infestation of pinworms.
Simply take one or two large size onions and then peel them before slicing. Take your slices of onions and then add warm water. After soaking, strain your liquid two times using a strainer and cheesecloth. Although onions have a bitter taste, their properties makes them a perfect solution for treating pinworms.
15. Bitter gourd
Bitter gourd is readily available in several supermarkets across the country. It can be used to treat various health complications including pinworms and diabetes among others.
Take three bitter gourds and then extract their juice. Drink a glass of the juice you have extracted and you will realize relief in signs and symptoms of this disease. You can repeat the process for one to two weeks for better outcome.
If you are not a great fan of strong tasting solutions, then you can combine it with honey or any other juice to give it a better taste.
16. Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth
Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is yet another perfect method that you can use when it comes to treating pinworms naturally. You should purchase food grade diatomaceous Earth because there are different varieties of diatomaceous Earth for usage in aquariums. Some of them are toxic when consumed in our daily diet.
The food-grade diatomaceous Earth chalky is made from small algae that have undergone fossilization named diatoms. You can use food-grade diatomaceous Earth to cause dehydration in the pinworms so that you kill them. Food-grade diatomaceous Earth is good for killing larvae as well as the adult parasites.
A dose of food grade diatomaceous Earth should be used in one tablespoon daily for the adults and half teaspoonful for kids. Large quantities of diatomaceous earth are very dangerous such that they can damage your lungs. Therefore, it is wise to consider the right amount of the product you need to use when treating the worms.
How To Prevent Pinworms
Dealing with pinworms can be among the most difficult task especially if you lack the knowledge on how to go about the same. You need to be informed about the best ways of preventing yourself from this disease. To protect yourself from pinworms, you need to embrace these practices.
- Washing your hands as well nail beds after visiting the toilet
- Cleanse your anal areas using antiseptic soap as well as warm water
- Do not scratch the infection.
- Do not bite your fingernails.
- Trim your fingernails and keep them clean especially if you are going to handle food itmes
- Wash your bedding and underwear using hot water and then dry them well
- Change the bed linens frequently
- Ensure that your kids puts on clean underwear
- Vacuum play areas and frequented carpeted areas often
- Do not sleep on linens with contamination
- Wear clean underwear
- Do not touch your face
In conclusion, pinworms are among the most popular parasite related complications. The main cause of these worms is poor hygiene. Fortunately, you can deal with them using home treatment such as bitter gourd, yellow squash seeds and onions among others.
In addition, to prevent this complication you can embrace different practices such as washing your undergarments, trimming your finger nails, avoiding touching your face unnecessarily and changing your linens. With these tips at the back of your mind, dealing with pinworms is not something that should make you to spend sleepless nights.