Treatment for Reducing Reinfection or Spread to Others

1. Preventing Infection: Infection is caused by swallowing pinworm eggs. A child can get pinworms no matter how carefully you keep the kids and the house clean. The following hygiene measures, however, can help to reduce the chances of reinfection of your child and new infections in other people. Pets don't carry pinworms.
2. Hand-washing: Have your child child scrub the hands and fingernails thoroughly before each meal and after each use of the toilet. Keep the fingernails cut short, because eggs can collect here. Thumb-sucking and nail-biting should be discouraged.
3. Call Your Doctor If: Each morning give your child a shower. Always rinse the anal area. Do this for 3 days after taking the pinworm medicine.
4. Vacuum: Vacuum or wet-mop your child's bedroom once a week, because any eggs scattered on the floor are infectious for 1 or 2 weeks.
5. Wash Clothes: Machine-washing at hot temperature will kill any eggs present in clothing or bedding.
6. Contagiousness: Mildly contagious within the home. Children with pinworms do not need to miss any day care or school.