Enterobiasis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Enterobiasis is a condition where your child has worms living inside his intestines (bowels). These worms are also called pinworms, and can only live in humans. They are thin and white, and can grow up to one centimeter long. At night, these worms go out your child's anus (rear end) and lay tiny eggs around it. His anus may feel very itchy, and he may not be able to help scratching it. The eggs may stick to his fingernails, clothes, bed sheets, or other objects he touches. Others may get infected by touching your child's infected hands, or other items infected by your child.
  
  
• Your child's anus may become red, swollen, and painful if he scratches it too much. He may have a decreased appetite, lose weight, and feel weak. Tape tests, skin scrapings, a colonoscopy, or a stool exam may be done to look for the eggs. Medicines may be given to your child to kill the worms. You will need to give your child a bath daily and wash his hands often. You will need to change and clean his clothes and bed sheets daily. Having your child treated will relieve his symptoms, and prevent the spread of pinworms to other people.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

Keep a current list of your child's medicines:

Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list and the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Give vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.

Give your child's medicine as directed:

Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if your child is allergic to any medicine. Ask before you change or stop giving your child his medicines.

Ask for more information about where and when to take your child for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services for your child, ask for information.

Preventing enterobiasis:

• Change your child's clothes, underpants, and bed sheets daily. Be very careful when cleaning them to decrease the chance of spreading eggs to other things.
  
  
• Give your child a bath after he wakes up every morning. Use a clean towel or washcloth every time. Wash his anus with soap and water.
  
  
• Keep your child's nails short and clean, and wash his hands before he holds or eats food.
  
  
• Tell other family members to always wash their hands before and after taking care of your child.
  
  
• Wash your hands after changing your child's diapers or helping him in the bathroom.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a decreased appetite.
  
  
• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your child has diarrhea (loose, watery stools).
  
  
• Your child is not sleeping.
  
  
• Your child's anus becomes red and painful.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your child's condition, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child is not gaining weight and feels weak.
  
  
• Your child has blood in his stools.
  
  
• Your child has very bad pain in his abdomen.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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