Laxatives: Pinworm Treatment?

Pinworms are a common source of embarrassment, despite being a widespread condition that affects people of all social statuses. Also known as threadworms, these parasites live and hatch their eggs in the large intestines of their human hosts, causing itching around the anus and vagina. While medication is available to kill the worms, strict hygiene practices are necessary to eliminate the eggs and prevent further infection.

Laxatives are not mentioned as a treatment for pinworms. Instead, antihelmintic medications such as mebendazole and piperazine are recommended.

Pinworm medication

There are several medications that can be used to treat pinworms. These include:

• Mebendazole: This is the preferred treatment option for children over two years of age. It can be bought over-the-counter or prescribed by a doctor and is available as a chewable tablet or in liquid form. A single dose of mebendazole kills the worms by preventing them from absorbing glucose, causing them to die within a few days.
• Piperazine: This medication can be used for anyone over three months of age. Two doses are required, taken 14 days apart. Piperazine paralyses the threadworms, allowing them to be pushed out of the bowel naturally. It is often combined with a laxative medication called senna to expel the worms quicker.
• Pyrantel: This is another antihelmintic medication used to treat pinworms. It is available under brand names such as Pin-Away and Pin-X.
• Albendazole (Albenza): This is the most common treatment for pinworms and is taken as a single tablet that kills the worms. It is available in different strengths for adults and children.
• Mebendazole (Vermox): This medication also works in a single dose and is repeated two weeks later to reduce the chance of reinfection.

It is important to note that medication alone is not enough to treat pinworms effectively. Strict hygiene practices must also be followed for at least two weeks to kill off the eggs and prevent further contamination. This includes washing all linens, sleepwear, towels, and soft toys, as well as vacuuming and damp-dusting the entire home. All members of the household should practice good hand hygiene, keep their nails short, and wear close-fitting underwear to prevent scratching.

Hygiene practices

Pinworm infections are highly contagious and can spread easily. The most common symptom of a pinworm infection is intense itching around the anus. The infection cycle typically follows these steps: an individual acquires an infection by ingesting or inhaling pinworm eggs. These microscopic eggs are usually deposited on a surface by a person with the infection.

To prevent the spread of pinworm and possible re-infection, strict hygiene practices must be followed. Here are some detailed hygiene practices to prevent and control pinworm infections:

• Wash your hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling food. Handwashing is the most successful way to prevent pinworm infection.
• Shower every morning to help remove the eggs on the skin. Showering is preferred over taking a bath to avoid contaminating the bathwater with pinworm eggs.
• Do not co-bathe with others during the infection.
• Cut fingernails regularly and avoid biting nails and scratching around the anus.
• Change your underwear and bed linens first thing in the morning. These items should be carefully placed into a washer and laundered in hot water followed by a hot dryer to kill any eggs.
• Wash sleepwear, towels, and soft toys, and vacuum and damp-dust the entire home.
• Wear close-fitting underwear to prevent scratching.
• Wash your hands and scrub your nails first thing in the morning, after going to the toilet, and before preparing food.
• Change and wash your underwear and nightwear daily.
• Discourage children from thumb-sucking or nail-biting, and do not share towels.
• Rinse toothbrushes thoroughly before use and keep them in a closed cupboard.
• Wash your hands carefully with soap and warm water after using the toilet, especially after bowel movements, changing diapers, and before preparing and eating food.
• Keep your fingernails short and clean.
• Shower every morning to remove eggs deposited overnight.
• Change your underwear and clothing daily.
• Use hot water in the washing machine and dryer when laundering bedding, clothing, and towels.
• Avoid shaking clothing and bedding to prevent the spread of pinworm eggs through the air.
• Thoroughly clean any surfaces that might have eggs, such as toys, floors, countertops, and toilet seats.
• Vacuum all carpeted areas.

Treating family members

Pinworms are tiny white worms that live in the human intestine. They are particularly common in children, infecting up to half of all children under the age of 10. They can cause itching around the anus and vagina, and are spread through contact with contaminated surfaces.

If one family member has pinworms, it is likely that the whole family will need to be treated. This is because pinworms can spread to others within the same home. The treatment is two-fold: medication to kill the worms in the gut, and good hygiene to get rid of the eggs and prevent further contamination.

Medication

Mebendazole is the preferred treatment option for children over two years of age. It can be bought over the counter or prescribed by a doctor and is available as a chewable tablet or in liquid form. All members of the household should take it at the same time. One dose kills the worms, but as reinfection is common, a second dose is often prescribed to be taken after two weeks.

Alternatively, Piperazine can be used for anyone over three months of age. Two doses are required, taken 14 days apart. This medication paralyses the threadworms until they are pushed out of the bowel. It is combined with a laxative medication called Senna, which expels the worms quicker.

Hygiene

In conjunction with medication, strict hygiene must be practised for two weeks to kill off the eggs. This includes:

• Washing all sleepwear, linen, towels, and soft toys
• Vacuuming and dusting the entire home
• Disposing of cloths after use
• Wearing close-fitting underwear in bed to prevent scratching, and washing immediately upon waking
• Changing and washing underwear and nightwear daily
• Scrubbing hands and nails first thing in the morning, after going to the toilet, and before preparing food
• Discouraging children from thumb-sucking or nail-biting
• Not sharing towels
• Rinsing toothbrushes thoroughly before use and keeping them in a closed cupboard

Pinworm checks

To check for pinworms, examine the area around your child's anus using a flashlight. Look for a 1/4-inch (6 mm), white, thread-like worm that moves. Do this a few hours after your child goes to bed and check for two nights in a row. Also, check first thing in the morning for two days. If no adult pinworm is seen, call your doctor's office for instructions on doing a Scotch-tape test for pinworm eggs. Alternatively, you can use the following technique:

Take a piece of clear Scotch tape with the sticky side down. Touch it to the skin on both sides of the anus in the morning soon after your child has awakened and before any bath or shower. Put the sticky tape side that touched the skin on a slide or a second piece of tape. Do it for two mornings in a row. Bring the samples to be looked at under a microscope.

If your child is found to have pinworms, your doctor will suggest a special pinworm medicine. There are over-the-counter and prescription medications available. All members of the household should be treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms, as pinworms can spread easily.

In addition to medication, strict hygiene practices must be followed for at least two weeks to kill off the eggs. This includes washing sleepwear, linen, towels, and soft toys, vacuuming and damp-dusting the entire home, and disposing of used cloths. All household members should wear close-fitting underwear to bed to prevent scratching and bathe or wash the anal area immediately upon waking to get rid of any eggs laid overnight. Underwear and nightwear should be changed and washed daily, and hands and nails should be scrubbed first thing in the morning, after using the toilet, and before preparing food.

Anal itching treatment

Anal itching, or pruritus ani, is a skin condition that causes an itchy sensation in the anal region. This itching can worsen at night or after a bowel movement. Anal itching can affect anyone but is more common in men and people assigned male at birth. It is typically caused by poor anal hygiene, allergies, certain foods and drinks, or other health conditions.

Good Anal Hygiene

Good anal hygiene is essential for treating and preventing anal itching. Here are some tips to maintain good anal hygiene:

• Gently wash your anal area with water or unscented soap after a bowel movement and before bed.
• Avoid scented soaps, bubble baths, and bath oils, as they can irritate the skin.
• Dry the area thoroughly after washing. Instead of wiping or rubbing, pat the area dry with a soft towel or cotton wool.
• Avoid using wet wipes, as they can irritate the skin.
• Keep your fingernails short to minimize skin damage if scratching occurs.

Lifestyle Changes

• Wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear to allow proper air circulation and absorption of moisture.
• Avoid tight clothing and bedding that can cause overheating and excessive sweating.
• Eat a high-fibre diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cereals, to prevent constipation.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, citrus fruits, and spicy foods, as they can irritate the anal area.

Medical Treatments

• Over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments: Steroid creams and hydrocortisone creams with anesthetic pain relievers can help alleviate itching. However, do not use steroid creams for more than a week, as prolonged use can irritate the skin.
• Antibiotics and antifungal medications: If the itching is due to an infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medications.
• Methylene blue injection (anal tattooing): If other treatments are ineffective, your healthcare provider may inject methylene blue under the skin in the perianal area to relieve pain and itching.

Home Remedies

• Use dye-free, unscented toilet paper to avoid irritating the skin.
• Avoid harsh soaps, scents, and deodorants that may contain allergens or chemical irritants.
• Wear cotton gloves at night to prevent unconscious scratching and potential skin damage.
• Avoid foods and drinks that trigger itching, such as dairy products, carbonated drinks, caffeine, and spicy or acidic foods.

Pinworms and Anal Itching

Pinworms (threadworms) are tiny parasites that live in the intestines and rectums of infected people. They are one of the causes of anal itching, especially in children. Pinworms lay their eggs around the anus at night, causing intense itching.

To treat pinworms, medication is usually necessary in conjunction with strict hygiene practices. The entire household must be treated simultaneously, even if everyone is asymptomatic. Medications such as mebendazole or piperazine are commonly used to kill the worms. Mebendazole is available over the counter or by prescription and is suitable for children over two years old. Piperazine, suitable for anyone over three months, is typically combined with senna, a laxative that helps expel the worms quicker.

It is important to note that laxatives do not make pinworm medication work better or faster. The use of laxatives is not recommended to treat pinworms. The focus should be on taking the prescribed medication and maintaining strict hygiene to get rid of the eggs and prevent further contamination.

Frequently asked questions