Hookworms are parasitic nematodes that afflict a wide range of mammals. They live in the small intestine and can lead to such problems as a loss of iron and protein. The hookworms that affect dogs are known as Ancylostoma caninum or, in the parlance of the non-scientist, dog hookworms. In the larval stage of its life cycle, hookworms will penetrate a dog’s skin and move through the circulatory system into the digestive tract. Hookworms can also enter a through a dog’s mouth. The adult hookworms lay eggs in the intestine that are often embedded in the dog’s feces. The worms themselves are also commonly found in a dog’s feces, so examining your dog’s waste is a good way to determine if he or she has hookworms (or other parasitic worms). Diarrhea and anemia are common symptoms of dog hookworms.

And what exactly do hookworms look like? About as our reader described them. They do tend to be between 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch long, and their bodies tend to be curved in the shape of a hook (that is, the head is curved relative to the rest of the body). Some types of hook worms are straight, but generally dog hookworms have the curved body.

If your dog does have hookworms, they should be taken to the vet. Most non-prescription medications do not work against hookworm infections, and besides that, veterinarians will have access to a wide range of tools to help fight the infection.

Of course, it is preferable if your dog doesn’t get infected with hookworms at all. In order to reduce the risk, make sure that your dog gets screened for worms twice a year. If your dog is “high-risk” (like dogs that live in condensed urban areas, for example, or dogs that live in a home with multiple pets), he or she should get screened even more than twice a year. It is also crucial to make sure that your dog’s waste is cleaned up quickly. The last thing you want is for your dog to come into contact with feces, where hookworms and their eggs are often found, that has accumulated around the yard.

Symptoms of worm infections are similar regardless of the worm that has infected the cat or kitten. The only way to be 100% sure of the types of worms infecting your animal is to provide a stool sample to your local veterinarian for testing. The stool sample needs to be as fresh as possible and can be transported to the vet’s office in a bag. Some vet offices provide stool sample kits for pet owners to use.

Following is an overview of the three most common infections and how to treat them.

Tapeworms
Tapeworms live in a cat’s digestive tract absorbing much needed nutrients from the body. They infect an animal through infected fleas, uncooked meat or when a cat eats other animals such as rodents. Tapeworm eggs are eliminated through an infected cat’s stool.

Evidence of the worm’s presence can be seen in stool or around a cat’s rear end where eggs and worm segments are often found. In severe infections, evidence of the worm’s presence can be seen in vomit.

Treatment is simple. A dewormer (usually in pill form) is the common form of prescribed treatment. Veterinarians may also suggest some type of flea control as fleas are a common source of infection.

Roundworms
There are several types of roundworms. However, they have similar symptoms and the same treatment options. Roundworms are very common in kittens as they can be passed on through the mother’s milk.

Symptoms of roundworm infection are essentially the same as the symptoms of tapeworm infection. Again, this is why stool testing to confirm the type of worm infecting your cat or kitten is critical to ensuring proper diagnosis and treatment.

There are additional symptoms in kittens: “vomiting, diarrhea, dull coats, a pot belly on a thin body, and weakness” are all symptoms of roundworm infection. A dewormer treats the condition although it may have to be repeated to be effective.

Hookworms
The least common of kitten worm infections, hookworms are generally present in hot, humid climates. They infect kittens through their mother’s milk, through prey and through rotten meat.

Hookworms have rather severe effects on their hosts including anemia, diarrhea and weight loss. A rash between the toes and dark black stools or stools that are dark red may also be present. Hookworm infections are very serious and must be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. While the infection may not be very common, it is very deadly if not treated.

Kittens and cats with hookworms may have to stay a day or two at a veterinary clinic for the initial treatment process. All areas used by the kitten will need to be cleaned and sanitized thoroughly and follow-up vet visits will most likely be required. If a pet owner lives in an area that has hookworms, it is a good idea to have pets tested for the parasite every few months.

These worms can be anything from the half-inch-long hookworm or a tapeworm.
In addition to finding worms in your dog’s feces, other symptoms of dog worms include:

·Change in your dog’s appetite
·Coughing and hiccupping (due to heartworm)
·Diarrhea
·Distended abdomen in puppies
·Dull coat
·Inability to exercise
·Vomiting
·Weakness
·Weight loss

In addition to recognizing signs of worms in dogs, it is important to recognize what the different types dog worms look like, and where they live. Tapeworms can grow up to a three feet long if left untreated and they can have as many as many as 90 segments. Other types of parasitic worms common in dogs include: roundworm, whipworm, and the heartworm. Hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and whipworms live in the dog’s intestines and the heartworm lives in the dog’s heart and in the blood vessels that lead from the heart to the lungs.

Round worms look like spaghetti and tapeworm segments look like grains of rice. In addition to your dog’s food, dog worms can be found on or buried in your dog’s fur, around his anus, around his paws (from scratching) and it is not uncommon to find them in your dog’s ears.

There are several ways to prevent a worm infection. As mentioned earlier, your dog should be screened twice a year, especially if he is considered high-risk. High-risk dogs live in condensed urban areas and they usually live in a home with more than one pet. Show pets and hunting dogs are also considered high-risk. It’s also a good idea to keep your dog clean and well groomed. You should also dispose of dog feces immediately. Never leave it in piles around your yard, dog run, etc. Whipworm and roundworm eggs can remain infectious for years, and hookworm larvae can multiply in the soil in and around a dog run.

It is important to keep in mind that fleas are a source of certain types of tapeworms. When a dog accidentally swallows an infected flea, the tapeworms can hatch in the dog’s intestines. These types of tapeworms can also be transmitted to humans as well. Animal carcasses such as rodents and rabbits may also contain tapeworms, so be sure to keep your pets away from them at all costs.

If your dog has symptoms of worms, please contact your vet immediately. Caring for a dog with worms should be done only under the care of a vet. Most non-prescription medications don’t work. Your vet will have access to a number of innovative preventatives and treatments that are effective against the most aggressive types of parasites such as roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, and heartworm.

·Appetite changes
·Coughing and hiccupping (due to heartworm)
·Diarrhea
·Distended abdomen in puppies
·Dull coat
·Inability to exercise
·Vomiting
·Weakness
·Weight loss

Dog worms come in all shapes and sizes. The most dangerous type of dog worm is the heartworm. Heartworms live in the dog’s heart and in the blood vessels that lead from the heart to the lungs. The female heartworm can grow up to 14 inches long and the male heartworm can grow up to seven inches long. Dog’s can have as many as 300 heartworms. If left untreated, heartworms can clog the heart and major blood vessels leading from the heart. They can obstruct valve action in the heart, which can lead to malfunctioning of all other vital organs in the dog’s body such as the lungs, liver, and kidneys.

While heartworms do not produce symptoms for up to two years, if caught early (through twice yearly heartworm screenings) heartworms can be treated successfully. It is up to the owner to have the pet screened multiple times throughout the year so that the infestation does not get out of control.

Another type of dog worm is the tapeworm. The tapeworm can grow up to three feet long if left untreated. The tapeworm can also have as many as 90 segments, which look like grains of rice. Other types of dog worms include the half-inch-long hookworm, roundworm and whipworm. Unlike heartworms, which live in the dog’s heart and blood vessels, these types of worms live in the dog’s intestines. Roundworms look like spaghetti and whipworms have a large head and a whip-like thin tail section.

Fleas are a major source of certain types of worms, such as tapeworms. When a dog accidentally swallows an infected flea, worms can hatch in the dog’s intestines. These types of tapeworms can also be transmitted to humans as well. Animal carcasses such as rodents and rabbits may also contain tapeworms, so be sure to keep your pets away from them at all costs.

Dog worms can also be contracted from other pet’s feces, which can be easily be found in parks, on pet runs, and even in your own backyard. Whipworm and roundworm eggs can remain infectious for years, and hookworm larvae can multiply in the soil in and around a dog run, park or yard.

In addition to noticing symptoms, dog worms can be detected by examining your dog’s feces. Dog worms may also be found in your dog’s food, on or buried in your dog’s fur, around his anus, and around his paws (from scratching). They may also be found in your dog’s ears.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent dog worms. One of the most important ways to prevent a serious dog worm infection is to have your pet screened for worms twice per year. If your dog is considered high-risk for worms, you should have him screened more than twice a year. High-risk dogs typically live in condensed urban areas and they usually live in a home with more than one pet. Show pets and hunting dogs are also considered high-risk. In addition to preventative measures, it is also a good idea to keep your dog clean and well groomed. You should also dispose of dog feces immediately. Never leave it in piles around your yard, dog run, etc.

Caring for a dog with worms should only be done under the care of a vet. Most non-prescription medications do not work. Your vet will have access to a number of innovative preventatives that are extremely effective against the most aggressive types of parasites such as roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, and heartworm. If you notice any of the symptoms of dog worms listed above, please contact your vet immediately.

• Change in appetite
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Inability to exercise
• Distended abdomen, especially in kittens
• Dull coat

These symptoms could be a sign of just about any type of cat worm including, tapeworms, roundworms, and whipworms. These types of worms live in the cat’s intestines. Another type of “worm” is ringworm. Ringworm is not an actual worm, however—it’s a fungus. Also known as dermatophytosis, ringworm is an infection in the dead layer of the skin, hair, and nails. The fungus uses dead tissue, called keratin, in the skin as a source of nutrition.

Hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and whipworms are easily treated through antibiotics, diet changes, and exercise. While these types of worms are rarely fatal if treated early, another type of worm called “heartworm” can cause sudden, serious, and even fatal disease in the cat. Even a small number of heartworms can be serious. Signs of heartworm include respiratory stress (difficulty breathing or rapid shallow breathing), gagging or vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

In addition to recognizing signs of cat worm symptoms, it is important to recognize what the different types of cat worms look like. Roundworms look like spaghetti and tapeworm segments look like little grains of rice. In addition to your cat’s food, cat worms can also be found on or buried in your cat’s fur, around his anus, and around his paws (from scratching). It is not uncommon to find cat worms in your cat’s ears as well.

Certain types cat worms can be contagious to humans. Three of the most common types of contagious cat worms include roundworm, ringworm, and tapeworms. These types of worms are also easily transmitted between cats. Tapeworms are the easiest to transmit only because of where they actually come from. Tapeworms are transmitted to cats though fleas. If your cat has fleas, he can’t transmit an actual tapeworm to his owner, but he can easily transmit the fleas that carry the tapeworm.

Because cat worms are easy to transmit, you should keep the infected cat isolated until he completes treatment and the vet confirms that the cat is worm free. Caring for a cat with worms should be done only under the care of a vet. Most non-prescription medications just don’t work. Your vet will have access to a number of preventatives that are very effective against the most aggressive types of parasites such as roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, and heartworm.

Worm medications are available in tablets, syrups, and pastes. You can purchase worm products over the counter, but again, most over non-prescription medications don’t work and there really is no substitute for a vet’s care. Don’t put your other pets or other members of your household at risk. Take your cat to a vet right away if you suspect that he has worms.

One of the best ways to prevent a serious cat worm infection is to have your cat screened for worms twice per year. If your cat is considered high-risk for worms, you should have him screened more than twice a year. High-risk cats typically live in condensed urban areas and they usually live in a home with more than one pet. Outdoor cats are especially susceptible to worms.

It is important to remember that fleas are a source of certain types of tapeworms. When a cat accidentally swallows an infected flea, the tapeworms can hatch in the cat’s intestines. These types of tapeworms can also be transmitted to humans as well. Animal carcasses such as rodents and rabbits may also contain tapeworms, so if you have an outdoor cat, it will be impossible to keep your cat away from them. You may want to rethink allowing your cat to roam around freely outdoors.

It’s important to keep your cat clean and well groomed. You should also dispose of cat feces immediately. Never leave it in piles in the litter box. Whipworm and roundworm eggs can remain infectious for years, and hookworm larvae can multiply quickly in dirty litter boxes.

There are a number of different ways to identify worms. You can identify them by becoming familiar with what common parasite worms look like or you may browse through images online. The most common types of parasite worms in dogs include hookworms, tapeworms, roundworm, whipworm, and heartworm. Hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and whipworms live in the dog’s intestines and heartworms live in the dog’s heart and in the blood vessels that lead from the heart to the lungs. Heartworm is the deadliest parasite infection for dogs.

To identify parasite worms, you can begin by looking for dog worms in your dog’s food or buried in your dog’s fur. Worms can also be found around your dog’s anus, around his paws (from scratching), and in your dog’s ears. Roundworms look like spaghetti and tapeworm segments look like grains of rice.

You can review pictures of the different types of parasite at The Dog Chat Forum at www.dogchatforum.com, Photo Vault, or “Photovalet. Pic search is another useful site. Pic Search features more than 2,000 worm images. Users may search through images by entering the type of worm or search page by page. Pic Search has roughly 20 images per page. Each image offers basic information about the worm and/or a link to a website that offers more detailed information about each subject.

To detect worms, you can also check for symptoms. Common symptoms of parasite worms include:

• Change in your dog’s appetite
• Coughing and hiccupping (due to heartworm)
• Diarrhea
• Distended abdomen in puppies
• Dull coat
• Inability to exercise
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Weight loss

While early detection is important, prevention is even more important. Regular visits to your vet should help you detect worms early (twice yearly vet visits is recommended), but your vet will also have preventative medications, vaccinations, and many methods to help prevent worms in the first place. If your dog is considered high-risk for worms, you should have him screened more than twice a year. High-risk dogs typically live in condensed urban areas and they usually live in a home with more than one pet. Show pets and hunting dogs are also considered high-risk.

In addition to prevention, you should keep your dog clean and well groomed. Dispose of dog feces immediately and never leave it in piles around your yard, on the dog run or in the park. If your dog has symptoms of worms, please contact a vet’s care.

To identify parasite worms, you can begin by looking for dog worms in your dog’s food, on or buried in your dog’s fur, around his anus, around his paws (from scratching), and it is not uncommon to find them in your dog’s ears. Roundworms look like spaghetti and tapeworm segments look like grains of rice.

If you think using images is a better way to best identify parasite worms, there are a number of reliable websites that publish dog worm photos. Visit The Dog Chat Forum at www.dogchatforum.com. This site offers a few pictures of dog worms and quite a bit of information about what they are and how to treat them. If you would like to search through a wide variety of dog worm photos (all in one place) try Photo Vault or Pic Search.

San Francisco-based Photo Vault features pictures of worms from A-Z as well as snakes, lizards, medical leeches, fish, and more. The site allows the user to enlarge images and it also offers basic information about each worm. Users cannot use the images without permission. If you are interested in using Photo Vault images, you must use the email function at the bottom of each enlarged photo to make a request, you can use the automated site called “Photovalet,” or you may contact Photo Vault directly by calling 707-775-2562.

Pic Search features more than 2,000 worm images. Users may search through images by entering the type of worm or search page by page. Pic Search has roughly 20 images per page. Each image offers basic information about the worm and/or a link to a website that offers more detailed information about each subject.

If you don’t find what you are looking for at Pic Search, Photovalet or Photo Vault, there are several other ways to determine which type of worm your dog might have. A good way to determine if your dog has worm and possibly which type is to check for symptoms. Symptoms of parasite worms in dogs include:

• Change in your dog’s appetite
• Coughing and hiccupping (due to heartworm)
• Diarrhea
• Distended abdomen in puppies
• Dull coat
• Inability to exercise
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Weight loss

Parasite Worm Prevention

There are several ways to prevent parasite worms in worms. One of the most important ways to prevent a dog worm infection is to have your pet screened for worms twice per year. If your dog is considered high-risk for worms, you should have him screened more than twice a year. High-risk dogs typically live in condensed urban areas and they usually live in a home with more than one pet. Show pets and hunting dogs are also considered high-risk.

Caring for a dog with worms should be done only under the care of a vet. Most non-prescription medications don’t work. Your vet will have access to a number of cutting edge preventatives that are extremely effective against the most aggressive types of parasites such as roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, and heartworm.

In addition to preventative measures, it’s also a good idea to keep your dog clean and well groomed. You should also dispose of dog feces immediately. Never leave it in piles around your yard, dog run, etc. If you notice any of the symptoms of dog worms listed above, please contact your vet immediately.

The most common types of kitten worms are tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms.

Tapeworms
Tapeworms live in a cat’s digestive tract absorbing much needed nutrients from the body. They infect an animal through infected fleas, uncooked meat or when a cat eats other animals such as rodents. Tapeworm eggs are eliminated through an infected cat’s stool.

Evidence of the worm’s presence can be seen in stool or around a cat’s rear end where eggs and worm segments are often found. In severe infections, evidence of the worm’s presence can be seen in vomit.

Treatment is simple. A dewormer (usually in pill form) is the common form of prescribed treatment. Veterinarians may also suggest some type of flea control as fleas are a common source of infection.

Roundworms
There are several types of roundworms. However, they have similar symptoms and the same treatment options. Roundworms are very common in kittens as they can be passed on through the mother’s milk.

Symptoms of roundworm infection are essentially the same as the symptoms of tapeworm infection. Again, this is why stool testing to confirm the type of worm infecting your cat or kitten is critical to ensuring proper diagnosis and treatment.

There are additional symptoms in kittens: “vomiting, diarrhea, dull coats, a pot belly on a thin body, and weakness” are all symptoms of roundworm infection. A dewormer treats the condition although it may have to be repeated to be effective.

Hookworms
The least common of kitten worm infections, hookworms, are generally present in hot, humid climates. They infect kittens through their mother’s milk, through prey and through rotten meat.

Hookworms have rather severe effects on their hosts including anemia, diarrhea and weight loss. A rash between the toes and dark black stools or stools that are dark red may also be present. Hookworm infections are very serious and must be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. While the infection may not be very common, it is very deadly if not treated.

Kittens and cats with hookworms may have to spend a day or two at a veterinary clinic to begin treatment. While your kitten is at the vet, you must clean all areas of the home thoroughly to eliminate worms and eggs. You should also consider having your kitten tested several times a year and ask your vet about worm vaccines.

If you are interested in the different types organic dog worm “cures” that may be prescribed, we can provide a list for you. Again, this is just a list of non-conventional dog worm remedies. It is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any given condition.

Garlic
Wheat Bran
Oat Bran
Cina (wormseed)
Pumpkin Seeds
Vegetable Enzymes
Male Fern

About Dog Worms

Worms can happen to any pet, even pets that have been monitored closely. Unfortunately, elusive creatures such as fleas can land on your dog (or in his mouth) while outdoors, at the park, or on the dog run. Fleas are a major source of certain types of worms, such as tapeworms. When a dog accidentally swallows an infected flea, worms can hatch in the dog’s intestines.

Animal carcasses such as rodents and rabbits may also contain tapeworms, and
dog worms can also be contracted from other pet’s feces. Pet feces can found in abundance around parks, on pet runs, and even in your own backyard. Whipworm and roundworm eggs can remain infectious for years, and hookworm larvae can multiply in the soil in and around a dog run, park, or yard.

Hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and whipworms live in the dog’s intestines and the heartworm lives in the dog’s heart and in the blood vessels that lead from the heart to the lungs. Round worms look like spaghetti and tapeworm segments look like grains of rice. If left untreated any type of dog worm can lead to serious complications in the digestive system, but heartworm is the most dangerous dog worm of them all.

Once your dog has been infected, you will notice a number of different symptoms. Your dog may have only one symptom or he could have all of them.
Symptoms of dog worms include:

• Change in your dog’s appetite
• Coughing and hiccupping (due to heartworm)
• Diarrhea
• Distended abdomen in puppies
• Dull coat
• Inability to exercise
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Weight loss

Because heartworm is the deadliest type of worms in dogs, symptoms may be different from other dog worm symptoms. Symptoms of heartworm include:

• Abnormal heart sounds
• Abnormal lung sounds
• Difficulty breathing
• Enlargement of the liver
• Exercise intolerance
• Fluid accumulation in the abdomen
• Temporary loss of consciousness

While heartworm is most common in dogs, it can also affect more than 30 additional species of animals including cats, wolves, coyotes, ferrets, and even sea lions. Unfortunately, heartworm can affect humans as well. Although heartworm (also spelled “heart worm”) can affect other species and humans, dogs are its preferred host. It doesn’t matter where the pet lives either. Heartworms can thrive just about anywhere. In fact, heartworm cases have been reported all over the United States and in breeds of all kinds. Heartworm is not specific to older or younger dogs, male or female dogs, urban or rural dogs or well to do or average dogs.

Dog’s can become infected with heartworm from insect bites, mainly mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites the dog, the infection is transmitted through the dogs skin. The larvae develop in the body over a period of several months during which time they grow and migrate to the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

In the earliest stages of heartworm, there are no abnormal signs of infections. In mild cases, coughing is present. In the moderate stage, you may notice coughing, exercise intolerance and abnormal lung sounds. In the most severe cases, all of the above symptoms above may be present. If the infection is severe enough, it can cause death.

Once you suspect that your dog has worms, the first thing to do is rush him to a vet. There is no substitution for a vets care, especially if you suspect that your dog has heartworm. Most pet owners would like to hear that they can just go online and find the most effective treatments for dog worms at a low cost. Unfortunately, cutting corners when it comes to dog worm treatment is dangerous. Again, caring for a dog with worms should only be done only under the care of a vet.

Most non-prescription medications don’t work. A professional veterinarian will have access to a number of innovative medications and preventatives that are extremely effective against the most aggressive types of parasites such as roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, and heartworm. These medications and preventatives are not available without a prescription. If you do find prescription dog worm medications that are available without a prescription, be weary. Mainly because: how do you know exactly which ones to give to your dog? How much? For how long? How can you test your dog for worms? How can you tell if an infection has completely cleared? Again, see your vet for the sake of your pet.

How to Prevent Dog Worms

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent dog worms. One of the most important ways to prevent a serious dog worm infection is to have your pet screened for worms twice per year. If your dog is considered high-risk for worms, you should have him screened more than twice a year. High-risk dogs typically live in condensed urban areas and they usually live in a home with more than one pet. Show pets and hunting dogs are also considered high-risk.

In addition to preventative measures, it’s also a good idea to keep your dog clean and well groomed. You should also dispose of dog feces immediately. Never leave it in piles around your yard, dog run, etc. If you notice any of the symptoms of dog worms listed above, please contact your vet immediately.

American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
2218 Old Emmorton Road
Bel Air, MD 21015
phone 410-569-0795
fax 410-569-2346
e-mail: office@ahvma.org
website: http://www.ahvma.org

The pinworm belongs to the family Oxyuridae, order Oxyuroidea, and the phylum Nematoda. The pinworm is classified as Enterobius vermicularis. While pinworm is most commonly found in school-aged children, it can occur in adults as well. Humans may become infected with pinworm after drinking water or eating food contaminated with pinworm eggs. Pinworm eggs are ovoid on one side and approximately .55 mm x .25 mm in size. The eggs can last for twenty days in most moist environments — even in sewage.

The adult pinworm, which is small, white and threadlike, develops in the body’s large intestine and lays its eggs in the anal region. The female pinworm can lay up to 15,000 eggs at a time.

In some cases, individuals that become infected with pinworms will not experience any symptoms while others will experience mild to moderate symptoms. The most common pinworm symptom is itching around the anus. The itching becomes more intense at night when the female pinworm lays her eggs on the skin of infected person. Pinworms rarely cause symptoms in other areas such as the vagina or urinary tract. If they do, which is extremely rare, any irritation will go away on it’s own along with the pinworms. Pinworms just cannot survive in these areas of the human body.

Pinworms are easy to detect by sight. They are most active at night, so this is the best time to look for them. Pinworms can also be seen on the outside of the infected person’s stool. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for pinworms. According to MedicineHealth:

“Albendazole (Albenza) is the most common treatment for pinworms. Treatment is a single tablet, which kills the worms. There are different strengths for adults and children younger than 2 years. To lessen the chance of reinfection, the infected person will have to take a second dose two weeks after treatment. Pinworm eggs can survive for a few weeks. Other treatments such as Mebendazole (Vermox) and pyrantel pamoate (Pin-Rid, Pin-X) also work. They are also taken in a single dose and repeated 2 weeks later.”

There are several things that must be done after treatment (and beyond) to prevent reinfection. The treated individual should:

• Avoid biting the fingernails.
• Clean and vacuum play areas. Continue this practice indefinitely.
• Get into the habit of thoroughly washing the hands after using the bathroom, before and after eating, and before preparing food.
• Launder all bedding every 3-7 days for 3 weeks.
• Make sure the child or infected person changes his/her underwear daily.
• Thoroughly wash all bedding, clothing, pajamas, and toys with hot water and soap to destroy any lingering eggs.
• Wash underwear and pajamas daily for 2 weeks.

If you have been treated for pinworms and you have carefully followed all of the steps listed above and you still become reinfected, do not get discouraged. It is common to become reinfected several months or so after treatment. Simply call your doctor to get started on another round of treatment.