Medication for
Pinworm, Threadworm
Pork Tapeworm or
Scabies Infections

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Category	Prescription Drug	Strength	Quantity	Cost
Parasites	Albenza (tapeworm) Elimite (scabies) Eurax (scabies) Vermox (pinworm)	200 mg 5% 10% 100 mg	30 tablets 60 g (1 tube) 60 g (1 tube) 1 tablet	$116 $58 $78 $52

Albenza (tapeworm)

Albenza is indicated for the treatment of active lesions caused by larval forms of the pork tapeworm. It may also be used for cystic hydatid disease of the liver, lung and peritoneum caused by dog tapeworm.

Elimite (scabies)

Elimite is used to treat scabies. Massage the skin from the neck down to the soles of your feet (scabies does not usually infect the head). Thirty grams are sufficient for an application. Wash the cream off after 8 to 14 hours.

Eurax (scabies)

Use Eurax to treat scabies or to reduce itching associated with certain conditions like scabies. Apply lotion from the neck down to the soles of your feet. Leave the medication on for 24 hours, then without washing, apply a second dose. Wash after 48 hours.

Vermox (pinworm, threadworm)

Vermox is used to treat pinworms, threadworms and other common worm infections. Do not give Vermox to children younger than 2 years of age. The active ingredient in Vermox may get into breast milk, so it is therefore not advisable to breast feed while you are taking Vermox.

A parasite is an organism that lives by feeding upon another organism. Parasites living in the human body feed on our cells, our energy, our blood, the food we eat and even the supplements we take. There are several types of parasites: protozoa are single celled organisms that are only visible under a microscope, while worms come in all sizes from threadworms, that measure less than one centimeter, to tapeworms that grow up to 30 feet in length.

It is a common misconception that parasites exist only in third world countries. Over 130 types of parasites have been found in Americans. Parasites are transmitted from person to person, pets, insects, soil, unfiltered water and even tap water. For example, the parasite Cryptosporidium, has been found in municipal water sources across the U.S. and can cause diarrhea and cramps. Cryptosporidium can be lethal to the elderly, small children and people with compromised immune systems.

Common Protozoans

E. Histolytica:  causes amoebic dysentery, common in travel to foreign countries.
Giardia Lamblia:  causes diarrhea and forms a protective cyst, found in unfiltered water.
Cryptosporidium:  causes diarrhea, found in contaminated water.
Plasmodium:  causes malaria passed from human to human through mosquitoes.

Common Worms

Tapeworm:  feeds from food in host’s digestive system-passed from animal to human.
Hookworms:  enter through the foot in contaminated soil, travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, the larva is coughed up and swallowed and enters the digestive system.
Pinworms and Threadworms:  eggs enter the mouth through contaminated clothing and pass to the large intestine. Eggs are laid on the perianal skin and cause itching.
Trichinosis:  enter the human digestive system from pork or bear meat, move to the blood stream and settle in muscles and other tissue.

Pork Tapeworm

Known medically as cysticercosis, an infection caused by Taenia solium (pork tapeworm). Infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysts. When found in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis.

The tapeworm that causes cysticercosis is found worldwide. Infection is found most often in rural, developing countries with poor hygiene where pigs are allowed to roam freely and eat human feces. This allows the tapeworm infection to be completed and the cycle to continue. Infection can occur, though rarely, if you have never traveled outside of the United States. Taeniasis and cysticercosis are very rare in Muslim countries where eating pork is forbidden.

Cysticercosis is contracted by accidentally swallowing pork tapeworm eggs. Tapeworm eggs are passed in the bowel movement of a person who is infected. These tapeworm eggs are spread through food, water, or surfaces contaminated with feces. This can happen by drinking contaminated water or food, or by putting contaminated fingers to your mouth. A person who has a tapeworm infection can reinfect themselves (autoinfection). Once inside the stomach, the tapeworm egg hatches, penetrates the intestine, travels through the bloodstream and may develop into cysticerci in the muscles, brain, or eyes.

To prevent cysticercosis, avoid eating raw or undercooked pork and other meats.
Don't eat meat of pigs that are likely to be infected with the tapeworm.
Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before handling food.
Wash and peel all raw vegetables and fruits before eating. Avoid food that may be contaminated with feces.
When traveling, drink only bottled or boiled water or carbonated drinks in cans or bottles.
Do not drink fountain drinks or any drinks with ice cubes.

Scabies

Scabies is an infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. Infestation is common, found worldwide, and affects people of all races and social classes. Scabies spreads rapidly under crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people, such as in hospitals, institutions, child-care facilities, and nursing homes.

What are the signs and symptoms of scabies infestation? Pimple-like irritations, burrows or rash of the skin, especially the webbing between fingers. Infestation of the skin folds on the wrist, elbow, or knee; penis, breast, or shoulder blades. Intense itching, especially at night and over most of the body.

Scabies is transmitted by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person already infested with scabies. Contact must be prolonged (a quick handshake or hug will usually not spread infestation). Infestation is easily spread to sexual partners and household members. Infestation may also occur by sharing clothing, towels, and bedding. People with weakened immune systems and the elderly are at risk for a more severe form of scabies, called Norwegian or crusted scabies. Once away from the human body, scabies mites do not survive more than 48-72 hours. When living on a person, an adult female mite can live up to a month.

Pets become infested with a different kind of scabies mite. If your pet is infested with scabies, (also called mange) and they have close contact with you, the mite can get under your skin and cause itching and skin irritation. However, the mite dies in a couple of days and does not reproduce. The mites may cause you to itch for several days, but you do not need to be treated with special medication to kill the mites. Until your pet is successfully treated, mites can continue to burrow into your skin and cause you to have symptoms.

For a person who has never been infested with scabies, symptoms may take 4-6 weeks to begin. For a person who has had scabies, symptoms appear within several days. You do not become immune to an infestation. Diagnosis is most commonly made by looking at the burrows or rash. A skin scraping may be taken to look for mites, eggs, or mite fecal matter to confirm the diagnosis. If a skin scraping or biopsy is taken and returns negative, it is possible that you may still be infested. Sometimes, there are fewer than 10 mites on the entire body of an infested person; this makes it easy for an infestation to be missed.

Several lotions are available to treat scabies. Always follow the directions provided by your physician or the directions on the package insert. Apply lotion to clean skin from the neck down to the toes and leave overnight (8 hours). After 8 hours, take a bath or shower to wash off the lotion. Put on clean clothes. All clothes, bedding, and towels used by the infested person 2 days or less before treatment should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer. A second treatment of the body with the same lotion may be necessary 7-10 days later. Pregnant women and children are often treated with milder scabies medications.

Anyone who is diagnosed with scabies, as well as his or her sexual partners and persons who have close, prolonged contact to the infested person should also be treated. If your health care provider has instructed family members to be treated, everyone should receive treatment at the same time to prevent reinfestation. Itching may continue for 2-3 weeks and does not mean that you are still infested. Your health care provider my prescribe additional medication to relieve itching if it is severe. No new burrows or rashes should appear 24-48 hours after effective treatment.

Pinworms and Threadworms

A pinworm is also known as a seatworm or threadworm. Medically, it is called enterobiasis or oxyuriasis. It is an infection of the end of the bowel and anal area with tiny, white, thread-like worms that you can barely see. Infection with the worms is more common in warm climates.

Pinworm eggs can move from toilet seats to the body. They also spread through hand-to-hand or hand-to-mouth contact, and they can float in the air and be breathed in or swallowed. Once inside the body, the eggs travel to the small intestine and hatch. The chief symptom is irritated skin and painful itching around the anus. The itching is worse at night and may keep you awake. If pinworms move to the opening of the vagina, they may cause itching, soreness, or a discharge. Other symptoms include loss of appetite and stomach pain, though this is rare. The skin may become pale and colorless.

If infected, your whole family may need treatment, which consists of medication to kill the worms. It usually only takes 1 or 2 treatments before the problem is under control or cured, but it is common for pinworms to come back. Your doctor will prescribe medicine to kill the pinworms. The medicine may cause upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea, but must be used exactly as directed. On the day of treatment, do the following:

Thoroughly clean your house and change all towels.
Machine wash sheets, clothing and dishes at the hottest water setting.
Cut and clean the fingernails of those who are infected.
Everyone should wash hands well after using the toilet and before touching food.
At least once a day, wash the anal area. Do this under a shower, if possible.
When using public toilet seats, cover them with clean paper first.
Try to keep children from scratching the anus. Keep fingers away from the nose and mouth.
Change sheets, pillowcases, towels and nightwear often. Machine wash with hot water.
Change underwear daily. Have children wear snug cotton underpants.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.