If your child is experiencing anal or vaginal itching, nausea, abdominal pain that comes and goes, or nausea, she may have pinworms. Milder pinworm infections may have no symptoms at all, according to MayoClinic.com in the article "Pinworm Infection." Pinworm eggs may be passed to surfaces, food and drinks when someone infected with pinworms gets the eggs on her hands, then touches an object. If your child touches this object and puts her hands in her mouth, she may become infected with pinworms.
Step 1
Consult your child's doctor for prescription treatment. Your child's pediatrician may prescribe a dose of an anti-parasitic medication, including mebendazole, albendazole or pyrantel. Your child's doctor may prescribe the medication for the entire family to prevent reinfection.
Step 2
Wash all clothing and bedding in the house in the washing machine on hot to kill pinworm eggs that may reinfect your child. Dry clean all clothing that cannot be washed in the washing machine.
Step 3
Clean under your child's nails with soap, water and a nail scrubber to remove lingering eggs from under your child's fingernails. If your child scratches her anus or vaginal area, pinworm eggs may get caught under the nails. If your child puts her hands in her mouth, she may reinfect herself with pinworms.
Step 4
Instruct your child to wash her hands with soap frequently, particularly before eating and after using the bathroom, recommends KidsHealth website in the article titled "Pinworm."
Step 5
Change your child's underwear every day to prevent pinworm eggs from collecting in the underwear. When your child touches soiled or dirty underwear, pinworms may spread to the hands.
Tips and Warnings
- If your child is in diapers, wash your hands carefully after changing your child's diapers to keep pinworms from spreading to you.
- Consult a doctor if prescription pinworm medication does not work after the first course of treatment-- your child's doctor may recommend a second treatment option.
Things You'll Need
- Anti-parasitic medication
- Soap
- Nail scrubber
- Clean underwear
