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Home Remedies to Get Rid of Pinworms
Pinworm infection is the result of tiny parasitic worms that have entered into the intestines. This is often caused by an individual unknowingly ingesting microscopic pinworm eggs that have been picked up by the hands by touching things such as toilets, clothing, sandboxes and various public surfaces, states KidsHealth by Nemours. The infection sounds much worse than it really is, as the primary symptom is itching of the rectum area. Scratching this itch results in the hands becoming contaminated and passing the parasite on to others. Consult a health care professional before treating pinworms with home remedies.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Discuss home treatment of pinworms with a health care professional before beginning any remedies.
Consume 1 oz of pumpkin seeds daily to encourage the pinworms to be expelled from the intestines, according to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies."
Chew on raw ginger root or try a ginger supplement or pickled ginger, suggests "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies." Adding ginger to each meal until the infection has cleared may help kill the parasites to prevent them from laying more eggs. For children, consult a healthcare professional before using a supplement.
Peel and slice three cloves of garlic. Place them into a juicer. Mix with 6 oz. of carrot juice and drink this every two hours, as recommended by "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies."
Eat papaya or chew on the seeds, which are hot like mustard seeds. The seeds are not recommended for children, as the spice may be too strong.
Take a shallow bath frequently to relieve rectal itching. Practice good hand hygiene, especially with children, by washing the hands with warm water and soap after every trip to the bathroom. The pinworms can be spread to other people and surfaces, where they can live for up to two weeks, according to FamilyDoctor.org.
Tips
Wash all bedding, clothing and towels in hot water and dry thoroughly to kill the parasites.
Cleanse surfaces of the home, especially the bathroom, with a disinfecting spray and hot water when possible to prevent the spread or reinfection of the parasites.
Scrub fingernails frequently with hot water, soap and a brush. The University of Maryland Medical Center also recommends keeping nails short to reduce the risk of pinworm eggs hiding under them and being transmitted to others.
Warnings
Medication is available from a health care professional to kill the parasites and should be considered for rapid and effective treatment of pinworms.
- Wash all bedding, clothing and towels in hot water and dry thoroughly to kill the parasites.
- Cleanse surfaces of the home, especially the bathroom, with a disinfecting spray and hot water when possible to prevent the spread or reinfection of the parasites.
- Scrub fingernails frequently with hot water, soap and a brush. The University of Maryland Medical Center also recommends keeping nails short to reduce the risk of pinworm eggs hiding under them and being transmitted to others.
- Medication is available from a health care professional to kill the parasites and should be considered for rapid and effective treatment of pinworms.
- bath image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com