Pinworm medications are generally safe, even with repeated use, but they should usually not be taken during pregnancy, especially during early pregnancy. Most people don't have any side effects, although some may get an upset stomach.
If you are self-treating for pinworms, take the medication once only. Do not repeat the dose without talking with your doctor first. Depending on the type of worm infection you have, your doctor may direct you to take the medication only once or for several days.
The medications used for the treatment of pinworm are either mebendazole, pyrantel pamoate, or albendazole. Any of these drugs are given in one dose initially, and then another single dose of the same drug two weeks later.
Playmates, schoolmates, close contacts outside the house, and household members should be considered. Each infected person should receive the usual two- dose treatment. In some cases it may be necessary to treat with more than two doses. One option is four to six treatments spaced 2 weeks apart.
Adults and children 2 years of age and older: Dose is based on body weight and will be determined by your doctor. It is taken as a single dose and may need to be repeated in two to three weeks.
Although medicine takes care of the worm infection, the itching may continue for about a week. So the doctor also might give your child a cream or other medicine to help stop the itching.
Give a repeat dose of the pinworm medicine in 2 weeks. Reason: To prevent the pinworms from coming back. The repeat dose is needed because eggs can live for 1 to 2 weeks. Temperature and humidity levels also affect how long the eggs can stay alive.
If pinworm infection occurs again, the infected person should be retreated with the same two-dose treatment. The infected person's household contacts and caretakers also should be treated. If pinworm infection continues to occur, the source of the infection should be sought and treated.
Reinfection can happen by touching surfaces that have already been contaminated with pinworm eggs by another person. Eggs are swallowed, usually after hand-to-mouth contact, and the pinworm infection begins again.
Worms are a very common source of illness for both adults and children, so experts recommend that deworming should be done two times a year, or every six months, beginning at the age of two years. Deworming is the process of eliminating intestinal parasites, such as worms, using medication.
Repeat deworming culture every three months
For a normal risk of infection, on average it will suffice to carry out deworming treatments and faecal analyses every three months. This minimises the excretion of contagious eggs, and stops worm infestation before it damages the animal.
Once worm infestation is confirmed by the doctor using blood tests, stool examination or imaging tests, deworming treatment in the form of anti-parasitic medications, such as Albendazole, Mebendazole, and Ivermectin are prescribed by the doctor to be taken once. A repeat dose after a period of six months may be given.
Worms being a very common health problem for children and adults alike, experts recommend that deworming should get done twice a year or every six months, starting from the age of two years old.
For most people, treatment will involve taking a single dose of a medication called mebendazole to kill the worms. If necessary, another dose can be taken after 2 weeks.
Tell your pediatrician that you are treating the worms, Dr. Ratner said. If the infection doesn't go away after over-the-counter treatment, it's time for a pediatrician visit and possibly a prescription for a medication called Albendazole.
Typical pinworm infections don't cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of female genitals. The parasite can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes and around the pelvic organs.
In order to stop the spread of pinworm and possible re-infection, people who are infected should shower every morning to help remove a large amount of the eggs on the skin. Showering is a better method than taking a bath, because showering avoids potentially contaminating the bath water with pinworm eggs.
Here's the good news: pinworms are easily treated with either over-the-counter or prescription medications.
In repeated cases of infection, it's wise to repeat treatment about two weeks after the first dose. Because you've had a problem with recurrent infections, I'd recommend that you look into the possibility that your children are bringing the infection home with them.
In the morning, before your child goes to the bathroom or washes up, put the sticky side of a piece of clear tape around the anus. Remove the tape and look for pinworms or their eggs. You can also buy a tape test kit at the pharmacy. If you do not find pinworms, do the tape test 2 more mornings in a row, to be sure.
Pinworm eggs can cling to surfaces, including toys, faucets, bedding and toilet seats, for two weeks.
Threadworm: Adults and children of 2 years and over: 1 chocolate square (100mg) as a single dose A repeat dose is recommended after 2 to 4 weeks if reinfestation occurs. Roundworm, whipworm & hookworm: Adults and children of 2 years and over : 1 chocolate square (100mg) twice each day for 3 consecutive days.
For common roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms: Adults and children 2 years of age and older—100 milligrams (mg) two times a day, morning and evening, for 3 consecutive days. Treatment may need to be repeated in 3 weeks. Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Deworm Once Every Six Months
Worms are, unfortunately, a very common and normal issue for children and adults alike. Worms are everywhere and contaminate public areas such as schools and playgrounds. From the age of two years old, children and adults should be dewormed once every six months.