It’s a common condition that might give most of you the creeps!
Children enjoying summertime activities might be playing with others, going to camp, eating with their hands, and putting themselves at risk of pinworms.
Dr. Kailey Graybill with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic said they’ve seen several cases of pinworms recently.
“They are very common in children, and they also very rapidly spread throughout households,” Dr. Graybill explains. “Usually, even whenever we treat the child for pinworms, we sometimes even treat the whole family. Fortunately, it is a one-dose medication that usually clears it out pretty quickly.”
How do you know if you have them?
“If your child is telling you that their rear end is a little bit itchy, either take a look or let your pediatrician know when they might need some medication,” Dr. Graybill said.
Where do you get them?
“You see it in children that share, say, sandboxes, kids in daycare, kids that are using their hands to eat and may also be touching other things, touching other children. A lot of children that aren’t potty trained also, who are in closer contact with stool,” she said.
How can you prevent them?
If you’re told this was going around at camp or childcare, be vigilant and get it treated before everybody in the house gets it.
Also, remind your children to wash their hands, that’s really the best way to avoid transferring unwanted infections.
Can you get them from swimming pools?
That’s a common question the CDC addresses but they say it’s unlikely to get infected from public pools.
