The parasitic worm enterobius vermicularis is also known as the pinworm. "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment," a textbook, reports that it is one of the most common reasons for intestinal infections, especially in school-age children. Commonly, infection with pinworms results in itching around the anus, where the female worm lays her eggs; itching may become especially severe at night. Treatment includes medications as well as steps to prevent the spread of pinworms to other members of the family.
Mebendazole
Mebendazole is one of two medications considered to be the first-line therapy for pinworms. Being a first-line drug means that it is one of the first medications that a physician should prescribe for a patient with pinworms. It is an antihelminthic medication, indicating that it works against parasitic worms that invade the intestines. "Up to Date," a medical database, reports that it works by preventing the ability of the pinworm to use nutrients correctly. The medication is usually given as a single dose of 100 milligrams (mg), taken by mouth. The dose is repeated two weeks later to prevent reinfection. According to "Up to Date" contributors Dr. Karin Leder, an infectious disease physician at Monash University in Australia, and Dr. Peter Weller, of Harvard Medical School, side effects with mebendazole are rare. A study published in a 2009 edition of the "Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and infection" found that cure rates with just one dose of mebendazole are around 96 percent.
Albendazole
Albendazole is the other antihelminthic medication recommended for treatment of pinworms. This medication is also given as a single dose taken by mouth; the dose depends on the age of the patient. In patients younger than the age of 2, a dose of 100mg is given; older patients should take 400mg. Similarly to mebendazole, this dose is repeated two weeks later to prevent the possibility of reinfection with the pinworms. This medication, when given in this method, has a cure rate of nearly 100 percent, according to a 1996 study published in the journal "Gastroenterology Clinics of North America."
Pyrantel Pamoate
Pyrantel pamoate is an alternative treatment for pinworms. It is considered an antihelminthic medication, indicating that it works against parasitic worms that invade the intestines. It paralyzes the worms, making them unable to reproduce and resulting in their expulsion from the intestinal tract of the patient. The textbook "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment" recommends a single dose of 11mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight, taken by mouth. Two weeks later, a second dose is given to prevent reinfection with pinworms. Side effects that may occur in patients taking this medication include a lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramping. Diarrhea, neurological problems and temporary elevations in liver enzymes may also occur. Because of these possible side effects, this treatment is not considered to be the main therapy for pinworm, but it can be used if mebendazole and albendazole cannot be used.
Washing Clothes, Bedding and Hands
While steps such as washing of the hands, clothes and bedding that have been used during a pinworm infection may seem insignificant compared to powerful parasite-destroying medications, these are all important components in the treatment process. Washing the bedding and clothing of the person who has been infected helps to break the cycle of infection by destroying pinworm eggs before they can hatch. In addition, general good hygiene, with emphasis on frequent hand washing, is also important, because this simple but significant step helps to prevent the spread of pinworm infection.
References
- "Goodman and Gilman's Manual of Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Laurence Brunton, et al; 2007
- "Gastroenterology Clinics of North America"; Enterobius, Trichuris, Capillaria and Hookworm Including Ancylostoma Caninum; R. K. Grencis and E.S. Cooper; September 1996
- "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment"; Stephen J. McPhee and Maxine Papadakis; 2010
- "Up To Date"; Denise S. Basow; 2010
- "Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection"; Current Status of Enterobius Vermicularis Infection in Primary Schoolchildren in Miaoli County and Taichung County, Taiwan; C.C. Wang, et al; October 2009
