Oral medication such as mebendazole or albendazole should be given to everybody in the household. There is a risk of transmission between family members; so the chances of being infected if somebody has been diagnosed are high, even if no symptoms are present.
Both medications block the worm's ability to absorb glucose, effectively killing it within a few days. Treatment involves two doses of medication, best administered on an empty stomach, with the second dose being given two weeks after the first dose. All household contacts and caretakers of the infected person should be treated at the same time.
Hygiene measures should be continued for another two weeks following the initial treatment.
Although medicine takes care of the worm infection, the itching may continue for about a week. Apply a zinc ointment or other medicine to help stop the itching.
Reinfection can occur easily so strict observance of good hand hygiene is essential (e.g. proper handwashing, maintaining clean short fingernails, avoiding nail biting, avoiding scratching the perianal area).
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