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Home › Articles › Safety › Is Your Sandbox Safe from Roundworm?

Is Your Sandbox Safe from Roundworm?

Preventing Roundworm Infestation in Small Children

By Teri Brown

Pages:  1  2  3  

"Symptoms may occur as the worm gets to its final place in the intestine," Dr. Steltenkamp says. "The nutritional status of children with Ascaris may be affected more by their socioeconomic and nutritional background than by the effects of the infection. Pinworms are notorious for 'itchy butt' complaints. As the adult female worm lays eggs at the anal opening, it causes irritation and itching. This generally occurs at night."

Treating Roundworm Infestation
"There are numerous choices of medications that a physician can prescribe," Dr. Steltenkamp says. "It is recommended that a second dose of medication be given for the treatment of pinworms so that the larvae in different stages will be eliminated."

Ascaris can be treated quite easily with the medications mebendazole, albendazole or pyrantel pamoate. Mebendazole and pyrantel pamoate are also used to treat pinworms, though it is recommended that all members of the immediate family are treated as well because of the ease in which they are transmitted from person to person once they are in the home. It is said that children often outgrow pinworms. For the rarer more dangerous roundworm infestations, such as toxicariasis, immediate medical attention is needed.

Good hygiene is the name of the game when it comes to preventing roundworm infestation, but keep in mind that children will be children and you don't want to deprive them of one of the lasting joys of childhood – playing in the dirt or sandbox! Just remember to have them wash their hands when you call them in for lunch!

Preventing Infection

Though it is not always possible to prevent roundworm infestation, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the risk. Here are some:

  • Frequent hand washing, especially after outdoor play and before meals
  • Keeping a lid on your sandbox when it is not in use to prevent cats from using it as a giant litter box
  • Staying clear of pet use areas in parks or other public places
  • Keeping your own animals parasite free and your yard free of pet feces


    • Pages:  1  2  3  

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