Another word for YUCK!
Unfortunately, we have had lots of recent calls for help with reoccurring bouts of pinworms that come back or are resistant to conventional treatment. Here’s all you need to know to be an expert. Many thanks to Minda Miller for her expertise in this article.
What are pinworms?
Pinworms are tiny little parasites that live in the human digestive tract. They are not dangerous. They are extremely itchy and extremely contagious.
It is estimated that over 200 million people are infected annually by pinworms. The rate of infection in North American and European children is between 30% and 80%.
How are pinworms spread?
Pinworms are very hearty critters that thrive easily. People get pinworms by picking up microscopic pinworm eggs on their hand and transferring them to their mouth. The eggs pass through the digestive system and begin their life cycle. When ready to lay their eggs, the female pinworm heads for the anal area and lays some 20,000 eggs, a very itchy experience for the host or hostess. Scratching that itch will spread the eggs to the fingers, and then from there, the eggs end up on any surface those fingers touch. Even outside the body, say on toys, clothes or a bathtub, pinworm eggs can survive up to 3 weeks, waiting patiently for a host to come along.
How can I tell if someone has pinworms?
Pinworms can live in the body for 2 months before any symptoms will appear. Only at the end of her life cycle, when the female goes to lay eggs, will there be the key symptom: Itching around the rectum.
To check if, say, your child, has pinworms, the easiest way to tell is by looking at their rectum at night (when the ladies lay there eggs). If you shine a flashlight or place piece of clear tape against their rectum, you will see small white thread-like worms, about the size of a staple. Or you can check their underwear first thing in the morning.
How can I get rid of pinworms?
Conventional Medicines: Anti-worm medicines, such as Albenza, Vermox and Pin-X are generally given to the entire family (because they spread so easily and because someone can be infested for weeks before the telltale itching occurs). Because they do not kill the eggs, only the live worms, the medicines are best given again 2 weeks later.
Holistic Treatment: Unfortunately, we are beginning to see worms that are resistant to Vermox. Holistic treatment consists of herbal and/or homeopathic remedies to clean the colon and reverse the process as well as diet attention and a home routine to make sure they don’t reoccur. Homeopathic remedies may be needed to improve resistance if the little visitors are accompanied by other symptoms.
Cleanliness: Cleanliness, cleanliness and more cleanliness is the key to getting rid of these suckers.
Wash hand again and again and again! If those microscopic pinworm eggs make it into a mouth they have found a home, so if there is any risk of having come into contact with contaminated surfaces, be sure that everyone washes their hands with soap and water before eating, drinking, or putting their hands near their mouths.
Do a serious spring cleaning! Those microscopic eggs can live just about anywhere in our homes (and remember they live for 3 weeks!), so do some scrubbing and change everyone’s linens, pajamas and underwear! They should be washed on the hot cycle – 60 degrees C.
Pay special attention to:
- linens
- towels
- clothing (especially underwear and pajamas)
- stuffed animals
- toilets
- food
- eating and drinking utensils
- surfaces where you eat or prepare food
- never let pacifiers and bottles be passed between children
Colon Cleansing: For cases that are resistant to traditional treatment, it is critical to look at the state of the digestive tract where the worms live. Worms hate healthy, clean colons. A good colon cleansing formula plus a diet rich in fresh vegetables is an excellent way to make the body an inhospitable host to any type of worm.
Worms really like refined sugars and starches, so stick with whole grains and limit sugars. Worms really hate pumpkin seeds, papaya and garlic, so eating plentiful amounts of these will help you get rid of them.
Emergency Calm Downs: It’s night and the itching won’t stop! Try inserting a clove of raw, peeled garlic in the anus and having some camomile tea.
Thanks so much for the info! It’s such a yucky problem with kids, and one I absolutely DREAD. It’s nice to know both the internal and external solutions for both treatment and prevention.
We debated this one but with so many women coming in with conventional medication resistant “little friends”, I thought it important. We have cooked up an herbal formula that seems to work well. Hope you never need it!
Thanks for the effort you took to expand upon this topic so thoroughly. I look forward to future post.
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Please help! We (my 9 year old daughter and I…husband denies any symptoms) have a persistent case of pinworms. Over the last 5 to 6 weeks have taken over the counter medication, Vermox and Albenza (both prescribed)..we get a few days of relief (squirming and itching) and then symptoms bask with a vengence! I am currently taking Humaworm (an herbal preparation I found online) I am eating coconut, carrots, etc…anything I have found that may be helpful. I am scrubbing clothes, sheets, towels etc…ALL THE TIME…running the sweeper etc, etc, etc..We cannot seem to get rid of these things!!!! I think the Dr. thinks I am nuts and acually I am headed in that direction…the creepy crawly itching at night is terrible and the frustration from not being able to rid my family of these things is taking it’s toll…..I have read everything I can get my hands on and followed the things that made the most sense…I am a nurse so I have a working knowledge of medicine…I really think we have contracted some medication resistance little creeps!!! What can we do??
OOOH! These are nasty! The main problem is that when you have an active infection and clear it up, you generally have eggs sitting in the intestinal track that can take up to 21 days to hatch and then you have new friends! What has been then most effective is to do what you need to get rid of them and then give herbs for a couple of weeks to clear out the colon and kill the eggs…. then another mega scrub and you are generally out of the woods. I would look at where she is outside your home as well. Sometimes friends, school, etc. are infested and no one is telling…. I would be happy to tell you what formula we use for this and will email you personally……. At least you aren’t lonely!
I love your website! Thanks for the advice about what to do when the itchies strike at night-after all the stores are closed. The items you recommend are things you usually have around the house anyway.
HELP!! My familiy is infected with pinworms and we have been for more than 4 years now. Vermox only gives temporarily relief to my son (7 years) and myself.
I would very much like to try the herbal formula you mentioned. Please could you let me know ?
We have been getting LOADS of requests on this article! Anyway, our formulas are usually really individualized to make sure they match with the person, age, any other health issues and so forth. However, due to all the itchies out there, we are writing up a basic formula with ingredients most people can fund and some food recommendations that should be on the side in a day or so….
Hang in there and we will have it up quick!
Glad to hear that mine isn’t the only house where things “conveniently” strike at 2 a.m.!
There are plenty willing to pay thousands just to be exposed to this information. And we are presented with it free of charge. And how come, so few follow through and put it into action?
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Please help us-we are at a loss as what to do-we have the same situation concerning pinworms as your commenters.
There must be alot of these little buggers out there as we are sure hearing from lots of you! We have a problem as the herbal formula we use at Heliotrope is individually made for the age, weight, and health concerns of the person. We are working on something that hopefully with be a good “make on your own” formula and hope to get it up quick! In the meantime, remember that they aren’t fatal
My 2 young kids (4 and 20months) have pinworm, as do I. We’ve had them for 11 months now and CAN’T get rid of them. Took every med out there! Cleaned like crazy. Been to 3 different doctors now and it’s the same… negative test result, try some itching creme
My newborn has them too now and I’m very worried. What to do?
Shoshana Says: This is turning up more and more. We develop individualized herbal formulas and encourage
people to speak with care givers and others that the children may be in contact with. I would suggest you
going to a good herbalist in your area as what herbs are available will vary. GOOD LUCK!