YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH/BOWEL DISORDERS: WORMS
Many children suffer from pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis). These are thin, white parasites about 1 cm in length, which live in the digestive tract.
These worms can be seen wriggling on the surface of the skin surrounding the child’s anus, especially at night when the female worms emerge from the anal passage to lay their eggs. Children with pinworms complain of a very itchy anus (see p. 258) which may cause them to wake from sleep. Scratching often leads to reinfection because the child may put his fingers, which are contaminated with eggs, to his mouth.
If you suspect that your child has worms, see your doctor who will prescribe anti-worm medicine or tablets. It is wise for the whole family to take these even if others do not have symptoms. Careful washing of hands after going to the toilet and before eating is important to prevent re-infection. Keep fingernails short. Wash all clothing and linen in hot water to destroy eggs, and vacuum or mop the bedroom floor to pick up any eggs that have dropped. Pets do not carry pinworms.
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