Imagine this: your child has an uncontrollable booty itch.
You’ve politely asked them to stop.
You’ve tried diaper rash cream and all of the suggestions you’ve gotten from mommy friends, but nothing is helping.
It may be pinworms. 🤭
These tiny, white worms make your colon and rectum home after swallowing their eggs. (I apologize for the visual.)🥴
Pinworms are harmless and relatively common in childhood before you jump out of your seat in disgust.
SYMPTOMS:
▪️Itching around the bum (mostly at night)
▪️Restless nights
HOW DID MY CHILD GET PINWORMS?
Pinworms are highly contagious and are spread by ingesting pinworm eggs from an infected person’s hand or surface.
The most common places include Toys, sandboxes, underwear, toilets, countertops, etc.
HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE IT?
Although many providers will treat based on symptoms, diagnosis can be done by collecting eggs via the “tape test”. This can be achieved by pressing tape around the anus as soon as your child wakes up in the morning. The sample can then be viewed underneath a microscope.
HOW DO YOU TREAT IT?
Pinworms are treated with oral medication. Your child’s provider can discuss these options with you. The entire family and any close contacts should also be treated.
It is also essential to wash all bedding, towels, and clothing using hot water and dry on high heat.
PREVENTION
WASH YOUR HANDS! 🙌🏻