Enterobiasis secondary prevention

Template:Pinworm Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

Great care should be taken to shower daily, and wash hands before every meal to avoid re-infection. All infected materials (pajamas, bedclothes, and underwear) should be washed with soap and hot water daily. Avoid scratching the infected area around the anus. This can contaminate your fingers and everything else that you touch afterwards. Keep your hands and fingers away from your nose and mouth unless they are freshly washed. Carry out these measures while family members are being treated for pinworms.

Secondary Prevention

Co-bathing and Pinworm Infection

During this treatment time and two weeks after final treatment, it is a good idea to avoid co-bathing and the reuse or sharing of washcloths. Showering may be preferred to avoid possible contamination of bath water. Careful handling and frequent changing of underclothing, night clothes, towels, and bedding can help reduce infection, reinfection, and environmental contamination with pinworm eggs. These items should be laundered in hot water, especially after each treatment of the infected person and after each usage of washcloths until infection is cleared.