Pin worms in humans1/4/2023 ![]() Make sure your children wash hands regularly if playing outdoors in an area where pets frequently defecate. Pet owners, be sure to dispose of feces appropriately. If your child is exhibiting symptoms and you believe your child may have been exposed to dog or cat feces, be sure to mention this to your doctor. “Not only do they not work, they may actually cause the condition to worsen because steroids compromise the immune system.” “Doctors may try to treat a child’s asthma symptoms with asthma medications,” says Shirley. Once diagnosed, Toxocariasis can be treated with medication. Or it may go to the brain where it can cause encephalitis, which leads to seizures and brain damage.” Roundworm Treatment “From the lung, the worm can occasionally travel to the eyes, leading to vision loss. “The worm matures in the gut and then likes to travel to the lung,” says Shirley. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, fever, cough, wheezing or even seizures. Roundworm infection causes a disease called Toxocariasis. Is your child complaining of a tummy ache?įind a doctor near you. “We often see roundworm infections in lower socioeconomic areas where there is less access to healthcare and more exposure to pet feces.” Unlike pinworms, roundworms are not transmitted from person to person. “If a child is playing outside in contaminated dirt or soil and puts his hand in his mouth, then he can ingest the eggs,” says Shirley. How Do You Get Dog and Cat Roundworms?īecause the worm’s eggs are excreted into the stool of cats and dogs, they can be transmitted to humans as well. Dog and Cat RoundwormsĪnimals can transmit roundworm infections as well, and the dog and cat roundworms are among the most common of these. ![]() Good hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent pinworms, so encourage children to wash hands regularly, especially prior to eating. While the risks are minor with a pinworm infection, the sooner your child is treated, the less likely he is to pass on pinworms to others. Or the excess scratching can cause a bacterial infection. In rare cases, the worms may enter the vagina and cause a discharge in girls. If left untreated, a pinworm infection typically won’t cause any serious problems, according to Shirley. Pinworm Treatment and Risksįortunately, pinworms are easily treated with anti-parasitic medication, which is available by prescription or over the counter. ![]() If your child is scratching or complaining about pain or discomfort in that area, it’s a good idea to take a closer look. #PIN WORMS IN HUMANS SKIN#The eggs on the skin around the anus cause extreme itching, especially at night when the female worms are most active. You may actually see the worms upon close inspection. Once the eggs mature, the female worm travels at night to the anus and lays more eggs on the skin in the surrounding perianal area. Typically, their tiny eggs hitch a ride on hands, then get ingested and take up residence in the intestines. Pinworms are easily spread from person to person via fecal-oral transmission. The most common worm infection in kids, pinworms are tiny white roundworms (less than ½-inch long) that live in the intestines. Below is a breakdown of some of the most common worm infections doctors see here in the States, including tips for treatment and prevention: Pinworms The bad news: we aren’t completely immune to worm infections, adds Shirley. thanks to access to good hygiene and sanitation.” “Infection with worms can lead to issues with weight loss, growth and developmental delays, so we’re fortunate that it isn’t as common here in the U.S. “In general, worms are one of the most common pediatric infections globally,” says Debbie-Ann Shirley, MD, who specializes in pediatric infectious diseases. But in other parts of the world, worms are a significant health burden, especially for kids. Fortunately, if you live in the U.S., chances are you won’t ever have a run-in with these microscopic invaders. ![]() But worms living inside your little one - that is a little harder to take in stride. There are many different kinds of worm infections here in the States, some of which can be transmitted by your pets.įor most parents, runny noses, potty training mishaps and projectile vomiting lose their “ick factor” over time. ![]()
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