HEALTHNET

I found a small worm in my 2-year-old girl's potty. What is it and what should I do?

Q. I found a small worm in my 2-year-old girl's potty. What is it and what should I do?

A. Roundworms and pinworms are the two most common types of intestinal parasites in Hong Kong. Adult roundworms measure about 10 to 30 cm long and pinworms 1 to 2 cm long. It is most likely that your girl is infested with pinworms.

Adult female pinworms crawl out to lay eggs on the skin around the anus. This can cause intense itchiness. It is the scratching that helps to disseminate the eggs to the others. After laying hundreds of thousands of eggs, the worm dies and that's how worms may be found in the child's potty or on the underwear.

Saving the worm for examination by the doctor is a good idea. Doctors may require all family members to receive treatment, so be prepared to bring other kids in the family along. Doctors may look for eggs of pinworm on a piece of clear cellophane tape put against the child's peri-anal skin.

Teach your children to wash hands carefully before eating or handling food, and after using the toilet. Wash beddings, underwear and pajamas frequently and keep fingernails trimmed. Tell your child not to scratch the bottom or bite the nails. The behavior could multiply the number of worms in the body by thousands. Pinworm eggs are very resistant in the environment and can be carried even on dusts. Some doctors may advise another course of treatment two or four weeks later to ensure eradication.

Source: Quality HealthCare