I recently discovered that my 20 month old son had pinworms. We went to the doctor and he took medicine. His diaper area already looks better and no longer seems to be irritated. I know pinworms are very contagious but the doctor didn't seem to think it was a big deal. She said just to wash his sheets, blankets and stuffed animals in hot water. I feel like this is not enough so I also washed all of his clothes too. Has anyone ever been through this? What can I do to keep them from coming back? What kind of cleaning should I do? Any advice would be great. Thanks.
Honestly, you did more than enough. I had them as a kid and my mom only washed my bedclothes and the clothes I was wearing while infected.
Relax, it's common in kids and you did all the right things!
C.
Did you also treat the cat for pinworms ? That's usually where people get them from . . .
Hi K.,
Try not to freak out too much. (Conversely, when my ped suggested a possible dust/dander allergy in my son, I, too, ripped my house/bedding/etc. apart like a maniac!)
The medicine ad general hygiene issues are being addressed and he will get over this and be fine.
O. thing I would think to add to your list to be scrupulous about--bath towels & washcloths.
Otherwise, you are doing everything that is necessary.
Good luck. This is only the beginning in the wacky world of little boys!
Hi K.,
Did you get your cat checked for pin worms?
Just wanted to know. D.
Unfortunately if your child is EVER around other children...ever...he/she can be introduced to all kinds of parasitic annoyances at any time. Things like pinworms and lice unfortunately hold this stigma that can be traumatic to parents/children who are effected by their presence even though they are passed in much the same way cold germs are - contact with others. My family has had experiences with both pinworms and lice...unfortunately. I tried to approach it with the 'no big deal' attitude so not to make my kids embarrassed or 'sorry' that they brought them home. Do exactly what your doctor said: wash everything. If your still not satisfied by a new set of sheets and bag the others in plastic garbage bags for a couple of weeks until you feel all the little buggers have definitely died off. Also, everyone in your household should have taken the pinworm medicine and if you're really paranoid about it take another dose in a few weeks to squash any survivors. Bottom line - it happens to the best of us, the cleanest of us, the most meticulous of us and it may very well not be the last time. Some people are lucky never to have to deal with such things but it seems some kids are just more prone to 'picking things up.' Reinforce correct handwashing and the ever so difficult to master 'NO SHARING' rule.
Good Luck - don't feel bad!
Dear K.,
In the grand scheme of life, Pinworms aren't much of a big deal except mainly being uncomfortable. Unfortunately, if your son had them, most likely you & your husband have them as well. No big thing. You and your husband can take an over the counter medicine to remove the pinworms from your system and wash all your bath towels, underwear and bed sheets in hot water. Pinworms are easily transferable. I got them while working in a daycare environment and when I knew we wanted to have children, I made my husband & I take the medicine to assure that we were not carrying. The medicine tastes awful but it is not hard on your system.
Better to be proactive now than have to fight a reoccurrence in your child.
And to keep them from coming back; just be vigilant about hand washing and not putting fingers in little noses and then mouths. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done.
Don't fret too much. Something like this happens to all of us.
Fondly,
ann m.
