{"id":5137,"date":"2019-03-19T05:45:59","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T05:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5137"},"modified":"2021-03-29T18:11:37","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T18:11:37","slug":"10-natural-approaches-in-treating-pinworms-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/10-natural-approaches-in-treating-pinworms-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Natural Approaches in Treating Pinworms at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pinworm infections are by far the most common type of worm infection within the United States. It is very contagious and can easily spread from one person to another. It can also spread through inhalation or ingestion of pinworm eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pinworm infection will occur whenever a female pinworm lays her eggs within the folds of the skin that surround the anus. This will lead to severe itching that is prominently scheduled during the night as opposed to day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the infected host scratches the skin around their anus, the eggs of the pinworm could become lodged beneath their fingernails allowing them to contaminate other items and infect those around them. Those who live in the same house as the host could come into contact with these eggs and pick up the infection for themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some pinworm infections are asymptomatic meaning that they do not produce any symptoms. Here are eight ways that you can treat these infections yourself in the comfort of your own home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Wormwood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some studies have shown that the wormwood <\/a>herb can be effective at treating various parasitic infections. People can treat their parasitic infections with wormwoods by brewing it either into a tincture or tea. There is no preferred method yet, and it appears as though either form of application \u2014 ingestion or topical \u2014 has the same level of effectiveness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, it might be better to apply it topically to mitigate any side effects that come with ingesting a new substance. It is advised that you consult with your doctor before you use wormwood to treat your infection as there might be a contraindication depending on any underlying conditions that you have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wormwood has actually been used as a home remedy for pinworm infections for centuries. Bear in mind that the evidence regarding its effectiveness is limited, so use it at your own risk. It\u2019s worth noting that it is also used in veterinary medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Garlic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Garlic <\/a>is another item that features on most home remedy lists. It is effective in treating various things due to the fact that it contains so many medicinal properties. These include antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial capabilities. Some people have used it as a remedy for pinworm infections either on their own or to complement the effects of their antibiotics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has also been used to treat roundworm and hookworm infections. Get some chopped garlic or garlic cloves and then mix them into your food. You could also mix some minced garlic together with petroleum jelly in order to make a paste substance that can be applied topically to the area around the anus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that there are some rules of thumb that you should follow whenever using this. For instance, you should never apply the paste to hemorrhoids, irritated skin, or any area with dermal breakdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Carrots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carrots <\/a>are commonly found on home remedy lists due to the fact that they are high in fiber. They have featured in lists for treating diverticulitis or other digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome due to the fact that they have high fiber content. Eating them regularly can lead to regular bowel movements and healthier digestion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeing as raw carrots contain so much fiber, they can help with pinworm infections too. Doctors are unsure as to whether or not fiber itself is toxic to the pinworms, but what they do know is that it makes it easier to push the pinworms out of your intestines whenever you release your waste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are allergic to carrots, you should obviously skip out on this home remedy. Bear in mind that you should always wash your raw carrots before you eat them to ensure that any pesticide remnants of bacteria present are washed away rather than consumed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Pumpkin seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkin seeds<\/a> are another thing that you can use to treat pinworm infections at home. The seeds of the pumpkin contain a compound that is known as cucurbitacin. Some studies have suggested that this is the compound that makes pumpkin seeds so effective in treating various types of parasites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a matter of fact, the United States Pharmacopoeia has even listed pumpkin seeds as a viable treatment for intestinal parasites throughout the years of 1863-1936. You could eat the pumpkin seeds raw, but if you don\u2019t find that very appetizing, you could blend them together with some water that way they are in paste form and thus easier to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While pumpkin seeds have long been a remedy for parasitic infections, it\u2019s important to note that there aren\u2019t many credible studies that confirm their effectiveness in treating this type of issue. That said, with no documented side effects, there doesn\u2019t seem to be any reason why you shouldn\u2019t try it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Coconut oil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coconut oil <\/a>is a famous item that you\u2019ll find on many home remedy lists. Many have used it in conjunction with combing to remove head lice, and some have applied it topically to treat eczema and prevent flare-ups associated with the diseases. With so many health and household uses, it\u2019s not surprising why coconut oil features on so many lists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also help you treat your pinworm infections. Many people have said that, after they applied the coconut oil to the skin around their anus, the female pinworms were unable to lay eggs and thus the reproductive cycle was interrupted. Some have even said that eating a teaspoon of coconut oil daily killed off the remaining pinworms in their intestine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is very little risk to trying out this method, just ensure that you are not allergic to either coconuts or coconut oil. Again, like the above remedies, the research corroborating this claim is limited but it\u2019s certainly still worth a shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Papaya seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Papaya <\/a>seeds is another home remedy that might help you rid yourself of these annoying pinworms. There was a study conducted back in 2012. It used rats as test subjects, but the researches suspect that the results apply to humans as well. The study found that regular ingestion of papaya seeds successfully treated worm infections in the rats. Some rats were cured in two weeks while others were cured in as little as 48 hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, there haven\u2019t been any trials conducted on humans yet that show their effectiveness. If you want to use this treatment for yourself, eat some papaya seeds. They don\u2019t taste too good, so you might want to add honey to them for a sweeter flavor. Before doing either, you should check to make sure that you aren\u2019t allergic to papaya seeds or honey as an allergic reaction in conjunction with a parasitic infection could spell bad news for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Cut your nails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All right, so the first six items on this list were focused on treating existing infections<\/a>. That said, the best cure is always prevention. That being the case, the last two items on this list are more preventative measures than home remedies, but they can still be useful for you. The first is cutting your nails. Seeing as pinworm infections spread through eggs that are lodged in nails, keeping your nails short can ensure that you don\u2019t spread the infection to other members of your household. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, refrain from biting your nails as this is one of the prime ways that the pinworm eggs enter your digestive system \u2014 in conjunction with eating with unwashed hands. With regards to that last sentence, it serves as a good reminder to always wash your hands before either preparing or eating your food to ensure that any parasites or pathogens don\u2019t make their way inside your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Tight underwear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Okay, so tight underwear might not be as comfortable as using loose boxers or going commando, but they can actually help you ward off pinworm infections and treat any existing ones. Tight underwear ensures that any airborne eggs don\u2019t make their way into the skin surrounding your anus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also restrict the oxygen <\/a>to any pinworms already in your intestine. Pinworm eggs need oxygen to hatch which is why the mother plants them around the anus. Without oxygen, most eggs will die before they can hatch, interrupting the life cycle and hopefully ridding yourself of the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that while tight underwear can help with pinworm infections, you shouldn\u2019t overdo it and get underwear that\u2019s two sizes too small. Overly tight underwear can constrict the veins and make it hard for blood to flow to your genitals \u2014 one of the main risk factors for developing erectile dysfunction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Apple Cider Vinegar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apple cider vinegar<\/a> is 6% acetic acid, which is known to lower the pH of the body and help to improve the balance of hydrochloric acid. In plain English, this helps to create a less hospitable environment for the bacteria and may, therefore, help to drive them out more quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is some debate as to whether altering your diet can truly have an impact on your blood pH, the good news is that it certainly can affect the pH in your stomach. What\u2019s more, is that apple cider vinegar is a fantastic source of natural probiotics: healthy bacteria which can help you to drive the bad kind <\/em>out of your system, not to mention preventing more issues from setting in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To use this remedy, take two teaspoons of the vinegar, a glass of water, and some honey. Then add the vinegar to the water and mix. Add the honey for flavor.
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10. Hygiene<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While it may seem obvious, maintaining generally good hygiene is an important way to reduce the likelihood of contracting and spreading pinworms. This is not to suggest that you currently have poor <\/em>hygiene<\/a>! Rather, it is to remind you that the best hygiene is mindful hygiene: thinking about what you are doing and remembering that you can easily transfer the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is most important if you have young children. Parents cannot avoid handling the feces of their offspring, but what they can do is to make sure that they are very careful about disposing of nappies and avoiding touching any more than necessary. Think about the set-up you use with the changing table, the nappy bin, and the products that you use. Keeping disinfectant wipes (child safe) to hand can be a very good idea, as can making sure to regularly wipe down surfaces.
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11. Cutting Out Thumb Sucking<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thumb sucking is a useful habit in young children as it can help them to self soothe. A parent who can\u2019t get any sleep may find that offering a child their thumb is all it takes to get them to doze off \u2013 or at least lie quietly while they enjoy the process!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this also increases the likelihood of transmitting infection: as the child will be bringing their hands to their mouths regularly and thereby consuming whatever bacteria <\/a>may have been on their hands. This is a very quick way for a condition to spread around a nursery for instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your child sucks their thumb then, convincing them to stop after a certain age (ideally at the point when they begin weaning) can be a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, adults should also think about their own habits, such as nail-biting, which effectively introduces the same problem. Using a varnish that has a foul taste is one way to encourage yourself to stop this bad habit!
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12. Wim Hof Method<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you really want to alter the pH of your blood<\/a>, then one option that definitely does work is the \u2018Wim Hof method\u2019. This technique has been doing the rounds on the internet lately and is currently very trendy owing to its long list of potential benefits and it\u2019s a rather eccentric and charismatic inventor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process essentially involves taking 30 deep inhalations and exhalations, designed to flood the blood with oxygen. This in turn actually reduces <\/em>the amount of oxygen available to the brain, because we actually need CO2 in order to extract it from erythrocytes. This triggers a surge of adrenaline which can help to boost the immune system and drive out potential infections, but it also temporarily alters the blood pH. Several studies have shown that it can help to immediately destroy a number of infections, but none of these have looked at pinworms specifically. It certainly can\u2019t hurt!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just make sure to read instructions carefully, and not to do it in the bath or near water \u2013 as it can cause fainting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Tea Tree Oil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With its disinfectant properties, tea tree oil<\/a> is a popular remedy for all manner of ailments. It also happens to have antifungal properties that are shown to be effective in combating parasitic infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To use tea tree oil, you need to take 1 to 2 drops of the essential oil. You can also mix this with 1 to 2 teaspoons of coconut oil for even better effects. Now mix the two together and apply the blend to the affected area every night. You can use a tea tree on its own, but the coconut oil will help to reduce the astringent effect on sensitive skin and will also provide additional antibacterial properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Clove Essential Oil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another essential oil<\/a> that is known to work well is the clove. You again will apply this every night, with one to two drops of the clove essential oil and one teaspoon of coconut oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apply this directly to the area once you have mixed and use the dilution to avoid irritation. Because clove oil is derived from aromatic flowers, it contains a substance called eugenol. This is a powerful germicide and also has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.
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