Pinworms are small, tiny, thin, narrow, and pin-shaped worms that live in the human rectum and colon. Also known as thread-worms, it is the most common type of human intestinal infection. It is caused when a person swallows pinworms which later hatch eggs in the anal or intestinal region of humans. Pinworms infection is mostly reported in children between the ages of 5-10.
Common causes of pinworms
- Inhalation of tiny pinworm eggs
- Swallowing of pinworm eggs
- Consuming contaminated foods and drinks
Signs and Symptoms
Pinworm diagnosis is not easy. But there are some noticeable signs and symptoms of pinworms that can help in diagnosis. Below listed are a few:
- Anal itching (pinworms in the anus)
- Disrupt sleep
- Feeling irritable
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Pinworms in stool/Pinworms in poop (Small cotton thread-like structures)
Itching of the vaginal area or anal area can make the pinworms move deep inside or even get stuck in nails which can stay for long hours. When the infected person touches anything or shakes hand, it can infect the other person as well. If left untreated, it can cause severe complications in the body.
Natural and Alternative Remedies For Pinworm Infestation
There are many natural and home remedies for pinworm infection that not only treat the condition but also alleviate other conditions caused by them. Below listed are few such remedies:
CURE 1: Foods
Onions
Onions are potent agents in treating pinworms(1) naturally through foods. They are rich in sulfur, an active ingredient that effectively fights pinworms.
How to use it?
- Take 1-2 medium-sized onions.
- Peel the onions and wash them thoroughly.
- Cut them into thin slices.
- Put them in a bowl and add small lukewarm water.
- Keep the pot untouched overnight.
- Let the onions soak well in the warm water
- Strain the liquid using a cotton cloth
- Consume this liquid.
- Do it thrice a week to get rid of pinworms.
[ Read: Home Remedies for Pinworms ]
Bitter gourd
Bitter gourd juice contains a variety of essential nutrients ranging from magnesium, iron, potassium, and vitamins such as C, E. These essential components of bitter gourd play a major role in eradicating pinworms from the body.
How to use it?
- Take two bitter gourds and cut them into slices.
- Extract the juice from these slices of bitter gourd.
- Add the juice in half a glass of warm water or cold water or drink it as it is.
- You can also flavor the juice with natural sweeteners like honey
Do it for a week to see the marvelous change.
Carrot
Carrots are highly abundant in fiber content. It improves bowel movements and enriches digestion. These fibrous contents of carrot Eventually, this can push the pinworms out of the body via the anus.
How to use it?
- Take a medium-sized carrot.
- Wash the carrot thoroughly, peel it and shred it.
- Consume the pieces raw or cook with your meal.
Consume this 3-4 times per week to get rid of pinworms.
Garlic
Garlic is rich in antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It contains more antioxidants and potent medicinal properties. The strong odor of garlic is but is incredibly useful in killing the pinworms. It is said to be a valuable herb for treating pinworms in toddlers and also in adults.
How to use it?
- Take 1-2 garlic cloves.
- Take a small amount of petroleum jelly like Vaseline.
- Mince the garlic cloves and mix them with petroleum jelly
- Apply this to the affected or itching area every night before sleep for pinworm rash
- Do this regularly for the best results useful results on how to get rid of pinworms
- You can chew on 1-2 garlic cloves a day. Garnishing your foods or salads also gives you similar benefits.
Lemon juice and honey
Lemon juice has a high vitamin content. It is acidic, and this nature of lemon juice lowers the pH of the body. In turn, it makes the survival of pinworms difficult in the defined regions of the body.
How to use it?
- Take ½-1 lemon and a glass of lukewarm water.
- Squeeze the lemon into one glass of lukewarm water.
- Add honey for flavor and sweetening.
- Consume this juice daily for the best result.
Foods to Eat |
Foods to Avoid |
| Garlic and bitter gourds |
Contaminated foods
|
| Spinach |
Yeast processed foods
|
| Oranges and other citrus fruits | Deep-fried foods |
| Coconuts | Red meat |
| Yogurt and buttermilk |
Margarine and other artificial sweeteners
|
|
Green leafy vegetables
|
|
|
Eggs white, nuts, and beans
|
|
|
Sweet potatoes and carrots for beta-carotene
|
[ Read: Coconut Oil for Pinworms ]
CURE 2: Herbs
Epazote
Epazote herb is a Mexican-American herb with a strong aroma. It is an excellent source of folic acid that fights pinworms. Epazote is also loaded with nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamin-B, which enhances the resistance against pinworms.
How to use it?
- Take 8-10 fresh leaves of epazote herb and wash it properly.
- In a pan take ½ liter of water and add epazote leaves to it.
- Boil it properly and cover the pan for some time.
- Strain it into the cup and add some honey for taste.
- Drink it as first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Precautions
Make sure you wash the herb properly. Also, it might aggravate acidity in the stomach if you have a history of it. Hence, be precautions.
CURE 3: Essential oils
Tea tree oil
How to use?
Tea tree oil(2) is rich in antioxidants that contain antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that are capable of combating pinworms in adults and kids.
How to use it?
- Take 2-3 drops of tea tree essential oil.
- Mix it with coconut oil or olive oil.
- Apply the blend to the infected or itching area every night before sleep until you are relieved from the infection.
[ Read: Tree Tea Oil Benefits ]
Clove essential oil
Cloves contain a compound called eugenol that exhibits powerful anti-fungal and germicidal properties. The clove essential oil is derived from aromatic flower buds of cloves. Their useful properties help to treat pinworm infections.
How to use it?
- Take 2-3 drops of clove essential oil
- Mix it with coconut oil or olive oil
- Apply the blend to the infected or itching area every night before sleep.
- Do it regularly for good results
Precautions
Always use the tea tree oil, clove essential oil, and other essential oils by mixing it with a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil. Do a patch test to ensure no irritation or inflammation caused and proceed.
CURE 4: Home Remedies
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains about 6 percent of acetic acid. It can lower the pH of the body and restores HCL balance. It creates an uninhabitable environment for the pinworms, making their survival inside your body difficult. It eventually eliminates pinworms from the body.
How to use it?
- Take 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
- Take one glass of lukewarm water
- Add apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and mix well.
- Add honey for sweetening
Consume this mixture for at least twice a day to get rid of pinworms naturally
[ Read: Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits ]
CURE 5: Natural Remedies
Hot water and soap
Do you want to know how to get rid of pinworms with warm water? Well, the temperature of the water makes it difficult for the worms to survive and multiply. Hence, make it a habit to use hot or warm water to take a bath, clean your rooms, or wash clothes.
Prevention
There are several methods one could follow to treat or prevent pinworm infections. However, one of the most effective and important ones would be to follow a stringent hygiene routine and empower others to do the same.
These are a few practices that you would need to employ:
- Washing hands with warm water and soap after using the washroom. It should also be followed before and after preparing food. This is one of the best methods for prevention.
- Clothing and underwear need to be changed daily. It is recommended that you use hot water to wash your clothes, especially the bedding, towels, as they may contain pinworm eggs.
- Rooms in the house should be well lit as the eggs are photosensitive.
- Discourage nail-biting, crotch itching and scratching, especially in children as this is how they spread from one another.
- Fingernails of the arms and limbs should be trimmed and cleaned regularly.
- It is strongly recommended that you shower daily, preferably with warm water.
Bottom Line
Natural remedies mentioned above have wonderful benefits that can treat pinworms on various parts including anus and vagina. Besides, these natural remedies also enrich other functions of the body with little to no side-effects.
However, if you are diagnosed with pinworms, it is necessary to get proper treatment from a doctor. Whilst taking these natural remedies under a doctor’s prescription can augment the treatment and also prevent the infections of pinworms.
