How to Kill Threadworms

Threadworms, or Enterobius vermiculari, which are also known as pinworms, are small, white, invasive parasites ranging between two and five millimeters. Threadworm infections usually occur as a result of ingestion of infectious eggs. Increased risk may come as a result of poor hand-washing, fingernail biting, or poor hygiene. Threadworm treatments include the use of ingestive drugs or topical creams. Treatment is often considered urgent because threadworms are easily transmitted among members of a household.

Things You'll Need

• Threadworm-killing drug, such as mebendazole

Instructions

1. Visit your doctor to get a proper diagnosis. He or she will prescribe the most effective drug to use.

2. Visit your local pharmacy to pick up the drug prescribed. This will likely be an ingestive drug such as mebendazole or pyrantel pamoate.

3. Use the drug as prescribed. Typical threadworm infections usually require 100 mg daily of mebendazole for two weeks to prevent reinfection.

Tips & Warnings

• Always practice proper hygiene to effectively prevent threadworm infection.

• Drugs always come with an inherent risk of side effects. Talk with your doctor about your best treatment options.

References

• Stanford: Enterobius vermicularis ParaSite
• EOL: Enterobius vermicularis

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish