Anonymous wrote:Op here- Thank you for these suggestions. I didn't even think about the backpack! I'll have to figure out how to wash it and next year buy one I can throw in the wash. Maybe I'll vacuum it.

I've always been able to throw the backpack in the wash. Hot water, air dry. The brands we've had have been LLbean, Lands End and one from Target.

Maybe you could just do a hot water soak? Vacuuming it is better than nothing though.

Op here- Thank you for these suggestions. I didn't even think about the backpack! I'll have to figure out how to wash it and next year buy one I can throw in the wash. Maybe I'll vacuum it.

Hot water wash and dry your sheets daily too as well as pajamas. We just turned up the heat and didn't use blankets at that time, just thick flannel sheets.

Bag up all the stuffed animals and wash the hard toys.

Teach your child to wash hands really well including under the fingernails.

Wash the school backpack once a week, tell your child not to share pencils, scissors, etc.

Shower in AM.

Good luck!

Don't let your kids play in sandboxes. Cats love to poop in the .

Did you hot water wash bed pillows daily?

Yes finding the medicine was not easy!

My DD had pin worms 2x a year until she was ten, yet no one else in the family ever got them! First of all I learned to hoard the medication so the minute she had them I could begin dosing. Then hot water washing sheets, towels, clothes and vacuuming,I had hardwood floors so that made life easier. She was very good about monitoring but it was a struggle! She was never a thumb sucker or nail biter.

I'm the PP - sorry - I just reread that he is a thumb sucker. That's tough. Just try to have him wash his hands really well after going the bathroom, after he wakes up in the morning and before eating.

We've unfortunately dealt with this as well. We did all you describe. One other important thing to do is have him each his hands every time before he eats. I'm sure you know this but the problem with keeping the cycle going is when the eggs get on their hands and they ingest them again when they eat. So try to keep him from putting his hands in his mouth and definitely wash them frequently.

To make things easier on me - I also only had my child use the same toilet for a week - and we all used another. I cleaned that toilet daily (along with wiping down the sink handles, etc.)

We also just had my child shower daily - especially in the morning (because the worms come out in the evening).

Don't blame yourself - our pedi assured us this is more common and contagious than strep - people just don't talk about when their kids have it which is probably part of the problem.

Thanks. This is helpful. Just hearing it will go away makes me feel better!

I assume you plan on doing 2 doses of the medicine 2 weeks apart? I would go through another cleaning regimen for a few days after the second does. In theory, once you take the medicine they should be out of your system, but better to keep cleaning.

After we first diagnosed it I went crazy cleaning everything: washed his sheets every morning, showers every morning and evening for him (I always shower every morning), being very careful with handling his pjs and underwear. Did this for maybe a week. Then again for a week after the second dose of medicine.

I will say, when my son had it it took us a while to diagnose (hitting my head on the wall for not realizing what was going on sooner). So I think his case got pretty bad. So we did treatment, did it again 2 weeks later and thought we were done only to have it come back again a little over 2 weeks later. Treated it with 2 more doses and we were good after that.

FWIW despite his bad case I don't think anyone else in the family got it. We still all took the medicine just to be safe but I didn't go crazy cleaning everyone sheets every day.

Thanks. I am trying to get him to stop the thumb sucking but it is extremely hard for him. Kind of amazed we haven't had them already given the thumb sucking, but luckily this is our first time. I can't figure out how to keep up with all the laundry with two working parents. There isn't enough time in the day.

It sound's like you are doing everything right. Unfortunately, my thumb sucker has gotten pinworms repeatedly this year. The doctor offered no additional advice other than to keep the child's nails short.

Anyone?

5 year old DS has pinworms. Another toddler in the house. Treating the family, but wondering how often and what to clean and for how many days. Plan on washing linens, towels and pillows daily. Vacuming area rugs daily. Showers for all in AM and PM. What else? Is this more than necessary? Any advice for thumb suckers and pinworms?