5 Ways to Prevent Pinworms

Now that the impending school year is upon us it’s time to start thinking about prevention. I’m not just talking about keeping the flu away or lice out of your house. No, there’s a common intestinal parasite that most of us forget even exists. Pinworms are small, thin worms that can live in the colon or rectum and the females usually come out to “play” when the infected person is sleeping, leaving a trail of eggs on the skin surrounding the anus.

I know, gross, right?! Pinworm is an intestinal parasite that usually infects preschoolers, school-aged children, and their families and it needs to be stopped before it can start. As disgusting as it may sound, it does happen and it can happen to the best of us. Just because someone gets pinworms does not mean that they don’t believe in good hygiene.

Taking extra precautions all the time is important to prevent your child from getting pinworm but back to school seems to be when the extra mile is needed. Here are 5 things you can teach your child to do daily that will help reduce their chances of getting pinworms:

• Wash hands at every chance; after the bathroom is used, before eating, as soon as they get home from school or anywhere they may have come in contact with something another person touched.
• Keep fingernails short and clean.
• Don’t let nail-biting become a habit.
• Shower and change clothing daily, especially underwear.
• Use a disposable personal cleansing cloth that is flushable to keep the area clean after taking a bowel movement. Please note: These are not to be mistaken for Reese’s Pinworm Itch Relief Wipes which are strictly used for alleviating any discomfort from contracting Pinworms.

Regardless of our warnings or the extra precautions our kids take to prevent pinworms, they’re only human and can sometimes forget to follow one of these tips. If this happens and they do get pinworms, there is over the counter medicine like Reese’s Pinworm Medicine that can be purchased.

Reese’s Pinworm Medicine is doctor recommended, has been on shelves since 1986, and is up to 95% cheaper in comparison to prescription brands. While you’re waiting for the medicine to work, which can take up to 72 hours, you can use Reese’s Pinworm Itch Relief Wipes to help with itching and keep contact with highly contagious pinworms to a minimum.

Of course, I am not a doctor and you should always consult one or your local pharmacist before taking anything new.

For more information on Reese’s Pinworm visit www.reesespinworm.com.