Best Essential Oils for Pinworms in Kids and Adults

A pinworm infection is common and can affect people from all socioeconomic classes. Fortunately, it’s preventable and treatable. Although there’s a lack of solid scientific study to prove their effectiveness, people still continue to use essential oils for parasitic infections. In this article, you’ll learn about pinworms and six antiparasitic essential oils that you could use.

Pinworms: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

 

A pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) is also called a threadworm and seatworm. It’s a thin and white intestinal parasite that’s approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. ¹ It usually lives in the large intestine (colon) and rectum (lower portion of the colon) of an infected person.

 

A pinworm infection is highly contagious. It’s one of the most common human parasitic infections in the United States and all over the world. In fact, around 20 to 42 million people in the United States have a pinworm infection. ² Although all age groups can be infected, it’s more prevalent among school-age kids. ³

 

So, who are most likely to get pinworms?

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)⁴, the prevalence of pinworm infection among these groups can reach up to 50%:

 

• Those under the age of 18, particularly children ages 5 to 10 ⁵
• Those who are taking care of people with a pinworm infection
• Those who are institutionalized

 

How do you know if you have pinworms?

 

Around one-third of people who carry pinworms don’t experience symptoms at all. ⁶ However, in some people, they may have these symptoms:

 

• Frequent mild tickling to severe itching of the area around the anus
• Sleep disturbance due to itching during the night (This is the best time to look for pinworms.)
• The presence of pinworms in the area around the anus, in stools, and on sheets, underwear, or pajamas

 

How could someone spread the worms?

 

Pinworms are spread from person to person through direct or indirect contact. They can get into your body when you inhale or accidentally swallow pinworm eggs, which can survive for several hours to 3 weeks on food bed linens, drinking and eating utensils, clothing, toys, bathroom fixtures, kitchen counters, and your hands (including under your fingernails), if kept at room temperature. ⁷ Adults who practice anal intercourse or oral-anal intercourse can transfer pinworm eggs to each other.

 

Humans can’t infect animals with pinworms. However, pinworm eggs can land and survive on a pet’s fur for several weeks, and then spread to the human hands by petting. Remember: The problem is poor hand hygiene, not the animal or pet.

 

Once swallowed, the pinworm eggs hatch in the small intestine. Later, the pinworm larvae will travel to the large intestine, where they’ll burrow their heads into its inner wall and stay there to live as parasites.

 

When the female larvae reach adulthood (after 1 to 2 months), they move out of the large intestine and exit the body through the anus at night. There, they’ll lay their eggs in the skin folds around the anus before going back to the large intestine. The presence of freshly laid pinworm eggs in that area trigger itching and irritation.

 

What’s the treatment for a pinworm infection?

 

Since a pinworm infection is highly contagious, an infected person should seek medical treatment first. The entire household should be treated at the same time if a pinworm infection is recurrent and symptomatic or more than one member of the household is infected.

 

Doctors may suggest pyrantel pamoate, an anthelmintic medicine that’s used for treating human intestinal worm infections, such as hookworms, roundworms, and pinworms. Other anti-pinworm prescription medications that doctors commonly suggest are ⁸:

 

• Albendazole (Brand name: Albenza, Valbazen, and others)
• Mebendazole (Brand name: Vermox)

 

Home remedies for pinworms exist. However, they’re not supported by large-scale, peer-reviewed studies, only by anecdotal evidence.

 

If you plan to use essential oils for pinworms, and you’re concerned about potential negative reactions, perform a skin patch test before applying them on the affected area:

 

• Just dilute 3 to 5 drops of any essential oil in 2 teaspoons of carrier oil (more or less, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions).
• Apply a thin layer on your inner forearm then wait for 12 to 24 hours to see how your body reacts to it.

 

Now, let’s go through some of the essential oils that may possibly help you manage the symptoms of a pinworm infection.

 

The Best Essential Oils for Pinworms

 

In a study published in the Research Journal of Biotechnology, researchers examined clove essential oil, cinnamon essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, garlic essential oil, oregano essential oil, sage essential oil, tea tree oil, and thyme essential oil for their antiparasitic effect. ⁹ The result has shown that tea tree oil, oregano essential oil, garlic essential oil, and eucalyptus essential oil were highly lethal to the live parasite within a 3-minute exposure.

 

• Garlic Essential Oil

 

Garlic (Allium sativum) essential oil is extracted from fresh garlic bulbs through steam distillation. The essential oil produced has a strong garlic aroma, which is almost nauseating.

 

Native to Asia and Europe, garlic is extensively used for cooking and treating various ailments. Greek doctors, such as Dioscorides and Hippocrates, used garlic for leprosy, intestinal worms, respiratory problems, and poor digestion. ¹⁰

 

For a pinworm infection, try mixing 3 drops of garlic essential oil and 2 drops of lavender essential oil in 2-4 teaspoons of sweet almond oil to create a soothing and anti-itch blend. Use garlic essential oil extremely well diluted.

 

Perform a skin patch test by spreading a drop or two on your inner forearm and wait for 12 to 24 hours for an allergic response. If there’s none, apply on the affected area using a cotton swab or cotton ball twice or thrice per day.

 

Precaution and Contraindications

 

Garlic essential oil can be irritating, so never use it undiluted and without performing a skin patch test. Avoid using this on pregnant women or children under the age of 6 without a doctor’s approval.

 

Some of the possible side effects of using garlic essential oil topically or orally are:

 

• Redness of the skin
• Swelling
• Blistering
• Nausea and vomiting
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Burning sensation in the mouth and throat
• Easy bruising or bleeding

 

• Oregano Essential Oil

 

Oregano essential oil is a common ingredient in many skin care products. In alternative medicine, it’s used to treat various skin issues, such as candidiasis, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea.

 

Although they’re rarely lethal, pinworms can be annoying because of the intense anal itching and vaginal itching they cause. Oregano essential oil may give temporary relief to itchy skin because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This therapeutic property of oregano essential oil is attributed to one of its major active compounds, carvacrol, which is also believed to have antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects. ¹¹

 

Studies have shown that oregano essential oil has the potential to kill human parasites. In a study published in the Phytotherapy Research, the researchers found out that oregano essential oil can completely get rid of human intestinal parasites from the body. ¹²

 

To use externally for pinworm infection, mix 3-5 drops of oregano essential oil and 2 teaspoons of coconut oil (or any carrier oil you prefer). Stir well then perform a skin patch test. Apply on the affected area using a cotton swab or cotton ball 2-3 times daily.

 

Making your own oral home remedy for pinworms using oregano essential oil may not be a good idea. Use oil of oregano instead. (Oregano essential oil and oil of oregano are different!) WebMD recommends taking 200 mg of oil of oregano thrice daily for treating parasitic infections.

 

Precaution and Contraindications

 

Oregano essential oil is a “hot oil,” so it can be irritating to the skin if you use it without diluting it first. If your skin becomes red or irritated, stop using it. Other side effects of using oregano essential oil are swelling, upset stomach, speech problems, vomiting, and nausea.

 

Avoid or limit your use of oregano essential oil if:

 

• You’re pregnant or want to get pregnant
• You’re allergic to certain plants, such as basil, lavender, marjoram, mint, and sage
• You have a medical problem, such as an abnormally high blood pressure or heart disease

 

• Eucalyptus Essential Oil

 

Eucalyptus essential oil has many wonderful benefits for the mind and body. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it’s often used to treat inflammatory, itchy skin conditions, such as eczema. That, and its ability to remove intestinal parasites has made it a possible remedy for pinworm infection. ¹³

 

Simply add a drop or two of diluted eucalyptus essential oil to a clean cotton ball or cotton swab. Then, wipe the affected areas three times daily until the itching stops.

Precaution and Contraindications

 

Don’t give oral remedies containing eucalyptus essential oil to infants and young children. It could poison them. Ingesting more than 3 ml of this essential oil can have detrimental effects. Stick with using it topically if you’re going to use it on children to treat a pinworm infection.

 

Avoid or limit your use of eucalyptus essential oil if you’re under medication. It might negatively interact with certain medications that are changed by your liver. Some of these medications are amitriptyline, propranolol, and verapamil.

 

Inhaling eucalyptus essential oil can also help whenever you or your child feels exhausted and drained after intense anal itching, especially at night. However, there’s an ongoing debate regarding the safeness of using it on children (under the age of 10) due to its high 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) content, which could cause breathing and nervous system issues.

 

Thus, others advise against the application (topically or through inhalation) of eucalyptus essential oil near the faces of children who are under 10 years of age. However, according to the book written by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, ‘Essential Oil Safety – 2^nd Edition,’ eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) causes serious toxicity only if the essential oil is instilled into the nose of a child up to 4 years of age.

 

Aside from infants and young children, eucalyptus essential oil is also not suitable for the following people:

 

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Cancer patients
• Asthmatics
• People with abnormally high blood pressure
• People who are taking sleep-inducing medications

 

• Tea Tree Oil

 

Tea tree oil, also called as ti tree oil or melaleuca oil, has many skin benefits. Some people use it to remove dry and dead skin cells to reveal younger-looking skin. Because of its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, it can reduce itching and inflammation associated with various skin diseases, such as eczema.

 

Australia’s indigenous people have been using tea tree oil as a traditional medicine for centuries. To extract the oil, they crush the leaves of the tea tree then apply it directly to their skin to treat various skin issues, including ringworm, athlete’s foot, scabies, lice, and nail fungus. ¹⁴

 

A healthy immune system is important to treat a pinworm infection naturally. Normally, the body’s natural defenses can get rid of these worms after several months. ¹⁵

 

How does tea tree oil boost your immune system?

 

Unadulterated tea tree oil contains around 30% to 40% terpinen-4-ol. ¹⁶ This compound is responsible for tea tree oil’s ability to support immune system function by increasing the activity of your white blood cells. Thus, your body can fight off infection-causing germs, parasites, and other foreign invaders. ¹⁷

 

Precaution and Contraindications

 

Diluted tea tree oil is generally safe if you use it as a topical remedy. However, it’s not a good idea to take it by mouth because it could cause unintentional poisoning.

 

Some of the possible adverse effects of tea tree oil are:

 

• Skin rash
• Dryness or scaling
• Burning or stinging sensation
• Itching
• Disorientation or hallucinations
• Upset stomach
• Drowsiness

 

Don’t use tea tree oil if you have an autoimmune skin disease or you’re taking antibiotics (or other medications).

 

• Thyme Essential Oil

 

Thyme essential oil is great for the skin for many reasons. It can lighten scars, moisturize the skin, heal wounds, and fight certain infections. It’s also extensively used for treating inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema, which causes dry, red, and itchy skin.

 

Just like tea tree oil, thyme essential oil can help you have a stronger immune system, which is important to have to get rid of pinworms from your body. This beneficial effect of thyme essential oil is attributed to its major volatile compounds, thymol, p-cymene, and gamma-terpinene, which are antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. ¹⁸

 

As a vermifuge, thyme essential oil can kill parasitic worms, particularly roundworms and tapeworms. ¹⁹ This action of thyme essential oil may be useful when you have pinworms.

 

To use externally, simply dilute a few drops of thyme essential oil in a few teaspoons of carrier oil. Then, apply the oil around the anus using a clean cotton ball or cotton swab to prevent the female pinworm from laying her eggs, which causes the intense itching.

Precaution and Contraindications

 

According to the book written by Shirley Price, “Aromatherapy for Babies and Children,” thyme essential oil is one of the few essential oils that are safe for children. ²⁰ This doesn’t mean it’s completely safe, though. It still has negative effects, such as skin irritation, vomiting, and dizziness.

 

Thyme essential oil is often not recommended for:

 

• People with health problems, such as a slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute), hypertension, thyroid disease, indigestion, stomach ulcers, and inflamed stomach lining (gastritis)
• People who are allergic to basil, lavender, rosemary, sage, and other plants in the same plant family
• Women who are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding

 

• Clove Essential Oil

 

For centuries, clove (Syzygium aromaticum) has been used as a food preservative and medicine. Today, just a few drops of clove essential oil can help treat stomach-related health problems, such as bloating, diarrhea, flatulence, indigestion, and even parasites and disease-causing microscopic organisms in the gut. Popular belief suggests that it’s the only essential oil that could dissolve the eggs of almost all intestinal parasites. ²¹

 

Clove essential oil is an effective immune system-booster because of its antiviral and antibacterial properties. That’s why it’s one of the essential oils that’s included in the Four Thieves Oil Blend. If your body’s natural defenses need help to fight off pinworms, this is a good option.

 

Precaution and Contraindications

 

Don’t use clove essential oil topically or orally on children under the age of 2. It can irritate or damage your skin or the tissues lining your mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and intestines if you use it undiluted or in large doses.

 

Clove essential oil is not advisable to use on people with certain health problems, such as:

 

• Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia and vitamin K deficiency, or taking anticoagulant medications
• Abnormally elevated blood sugar levels (above 130mg/dL)
• Kidney or liver diseases

 

Pinworm Home Remedies with Essential Oils

 

#1 – Oregano Anti-Parasite Supplement

 

This is not recommended for children under the age of 6. Always consult your doctor before taking any essential oil by mouth, especially if you’re going to give it to a child. Use only high-grade, USDA-certified organic essential oils.

 

Ingredients

 

• 2 drops oil of oregano
• 1 drop peppermint essential oil
• Regular coconut oil
• Vegetarian capsules

 

Preparation

 

1. Add the oil of oregano and peppermint essential oil into the vegetarian capsule, and then fill the space with regular coconut oil.
2. Take one capsule once or twice daily.
3. If you want, you can just buy oil of oregano supplements online or from your local health and wellness store.

 

#2 – Topical Blend for Itch Relief

 

Ingredients

 

• 3 drops clove essential oil (not for children younger than 2 years)
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops chamomile essential oil
• 4-6 teaspoons carrier oil, such as coconut oil and almond oil
• Amber glass bottle with dropper

 

Preparation

 

1. Pour your carrier oil to the amber glass bottle then add the essential oils, one drop at a time.
2. Stir well using a glass rod or wooden stirrer.
3. Perform a skin patch test: Apply a drop or two of the oil blend on your inner forearm (or other unnoticeable areas of your body). Wait for 12 to 24 hours to see how your body will react.
4. If there’s no allergic response, pour a few drops on a cotton ball and apply around the anus three times daily.

 

Aside from essential oils, here are other foods and herbs that can fight off pinworms:

 

• Wormwood – The above-ground parts of this herb are often used for medicine. Studies show that it may be an effective treatment for certain parasitic infections. ²² Use its tea or tincture form for parasitic infections.
• Eat fiber-rich foods – They can’t kill pinworms or other parasites. However, they may help the intestines push the pinworms out of the body and prevent re-infection. Try whole grains, fruits (apples, oranges, avocados, and strawberries), vegetables (beans, peas, carrots, and broccoli), nuts, and seeds.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Pinworms are contagious, so seek medical attention fast. If you delay treatment, you’ll put people within your immediate surrounding at risk for pinworm infestation.

 

If you do decide to use essential oils or other alternative remedies for pinworms, stop using them and contact your doctor immediately if you or a loved one experiences these ²³ :

 

• Cramps in the stomach
• Bloody urine or stool
• Persistent symptoms

 

What medical treatments and essential oils helped you clear a pinworm infection? Don’t forget to leave your comments below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

References

 

[1-5] Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pinworm/symptoms-causes/syc-20376382

[2] Ghan-Shyam Lohiya, Lilia Tan-Figueroa, Francis M Crinella, and Sonia Lohiya. (2000 May). Epidemiology and control of enterobiasis in a developmental center. Western Journal of Medicine. Vol. 172, Issue 5, Pages 305-308. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1070873/

[3] KidsHealth(R): https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pinworm.html

[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/pinworm/epi.html

[6] Jane E. Brody. (1993). Personal Health. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/31/health/personal-health-134693.html

[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/pinworm/epi.html

[8] eMedicineHealth: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/pinworms/article_em.htm#can_adults_get_pinworms

[9] Amani Al-Yaqout and Azad Ismail Saheb. (2010 Nov). Antiparasitic Effects of Some Essential Oils on the Scuticociliate, Uronema Sp. Research journal of biotechnology. Vol. 5, Issue 4, Pages 20-25. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287862971_Antiparasitic_Effects_of_Some_Essential_Oils_on_the_Scuticociliate_Uronema_Sp

[10] Jade Bloom: https://jadebloom.com/garlic-essential-oil-therapeutic-grade-5ml.html

[11] Suntres ZE, Coccimiglio J, and Alipour M. (2015). The bioactivity and toxicological actions of carvacrol. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. Vol. 55, Issue 3, Pages 304-18. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24915411

[12] Force M, Sparks WS, and Ronzio RA. (2000 May). Inhibition of enteric parasites by emulsified oil of oregano in vivo. Phytotherapy Research. Vol. 14, Issue 3, Pages 213-4. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10815019

[13] Paolo MariaGuarrera. (1999 Dec 15). Traditional antihelmintic, antiparasitic and repellent uses of plants in Central Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol. 68, Issues 1-3, Pages 183-192. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874199000896

[14] WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-113/tea-tree-oil

[15] Health Central: https://www.healthcentral.com/encyclopedia/pinworms

[16] Robert Tisserand: http://roberttisserand.com/2013/07/tea-tree-oil-quality-and-constituents/

[17] Budhiraja SS, Cullum ME, Sioutis SS, et al. (1999 Sep). Biological activity of Melaleuca alternifola (Tea Tree) oil component, terpinen-4-ol, in human myelocytic cell line HL-60. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics. Vol. 22, Issue 7, Pages 447-53. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10519561

[18] Doterra: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-thyme-oil

[19] Organic Facts: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/thyme-essential-oil.html

[20] Abundant Health: https://www.abundanthealth4u.com/babies-and-children

[21] Victoria Health: https://www.victoriahealth.com/editorial/most-of-us-have-intestinal-parasites

[22] PJ Waller, G Bernes, SM Thamsborg, et al. (2001). Plants as De-Worming Agents of Livestock in the Nordic Countries: Historical Perspective, Popular Beliefs and Prospects for the Future. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. Vol. 42, Issue 1, Pages 31-44. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2202332/

[23] Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-pinworms#prevention