Vaseline (petroleum jelly) does not stop pinworms from laying eggs, but it acts as a barrier that can prevent eggs from sticking to the skin, reduce irritation, and limit the spread of eggs to bedding or hands. It is primarily used to relieve itching and soothe the area, rather than as a curative treatment.
Prevention
Medicine can kill pinworms but not their eggs which can survive outside of the body for up to two weeks. Hand sanitiser is not effective against threadworms or their eggs, the best thing to do is wash hands regularly, scrub under fingernails, and wash clothing and bedsheets on hot cycles regularly.
Bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal and sporicidal in 1 min, Contec ProChlor V is one of the fastest-acting disinfectants available for the lab animal market. Uniquely, Contec ProChlor V will also eliminate 95% of Syphacia spp pinworm eggs in 10 minutes.
Overview
Due to the low sensitivity of stool ova and parasite testing, B12 deficiency of undetermined etiology associated with tissue eosinophilia may warrant endoscopic evaluation, as pinworm infestation may be the missing link between the two findings.
Bathe carefully every day. Be sure to clean the skin around the anus. This will remove pinworm eggs.
Disinfectants are not very effective against pinworms. Use regular soap. Clean small surfaces at the same time so as not to spread eggs. Avoid soaking laundry in a tub because the water could become contaminated.
Pinworm eggs can also be transferred to the fingers from clothing or bedding, and then spread around the home. Eggs may be inhaled from the air or deposited onto food and swallowed. Pinworms can survive up to two weeks on clothing, bedding or other objects, if kept at room temperature.
Treatment of Pinworm Infection
Anti-itching creams or ointments, such as petroleum jelly, applied directly to the area around the anus may relieve itching.
Pinworm eggs are infective within a few hours after being deposited on the skin. They can survive up to two (2) weeks on clothing, bedding, or other objects. The pinworms grow to adult size within two (2) to six (6) weeks. Pinworm infections can be spread as long as either worms or eggs are present.
Garlic is believed to kill pinworm eggs and prevent female pinworms from laying more eggs. Parents can give their children small amounts of raw garlic or apply it to the affected area.
You can get pinworms through: Bedsheets, underwear and towels. Eggs can spread through contact with contaminated sheets, towels or underwear. Toys.
People get pinworm infections from swallowing these eggs after touching an infected person's skin or personal belongings, such as clothing, bedding, and toys. Pinworms can spread as long as the worm remains alive in the infected person. The eggs can survive up to 3 weeks on clothing and other objects.
There is no scientific evidence that home remedies, like raw garlic, raw carrots or coconut oil, can treat pinworms.
Pinworms can survive up to 2 weeks on clothing, bedding, or other objects. How is it treated? When your doctor verifies pinworms, a medication will be prescribed for the patient and perhaps for the whole family. Take all medication as directed, even if you start to feel better.
It's important to be clear: there is no reliable evidence that home or herbal remedies (such as garlic, coconut oil, pumpkin seeds, apple cider vinegar, or essential oils) cure pinworm infection. Major medical organisations recommend antiparasitic medication as the proven treatment.
The pinworm eggs are sensitive to sunlight. Be sure to again change the child's bedding, nightclothes, and underwear after the second dose of medicine, once the infection is resolved to prevent a reinfection. Scrub floors, toys, countertops, and other household surfaces.
To remove threadworm eggs and prevent re-infection: Change and wash underwear, nightwear and, if possible bed linen and towels, every day for a few days. A hot water wash, or the heat of an iron, will kill the eggs.
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.
“It's important to understand that hand sanitizer is not effective,” she said. “It has to be soap and hot water.” Hands should be washed after using the bathroom, before eating, and before preparing food, and after “accidentally scratching the anal area,” at a minimum.
Fish tapeworms take up dietary vitamin B12, occasionally resulting in vitamin B12 deficiency and megaloblastic anemia. Rarely, heavy infection leads to intestinal obstruction or gallbladder disease due to migration of proglottids (tapeworm segments).
Symptoms of other worm infections
Preventing another pinworm infection
Discourage scratching of the bottom and nail biting. Keep fingernails short. Daily bathing and showering. Wash all sheets, bed linen, pyjamas and sleepwear in hot water to kill any pinworm eggs.