Pinworms

Pinworms are white, thin, wiggly worms that measure about 6 mm in length. If your child has pinworms, you may be able to see the little worms in the area around the anus, known as the perianal area. They are easiest to see at night or in the early morning. You might also see the pinworms on the surface of a child’s poop or at the entrance to the vagina.

Although pinworms do not cause any serious health problems, they are a source of great discomfort, sleep disruption, itching and irritation in the perianal area. Pinworms are infectious and can spread from child to child. When a child scratches the itchy area, tiny pinworm eggs can spread to their fingernails and can then be transferred to bedding and toys. If others touch these objects, the eggs can transfer to their hands. If they put their hands in their mouth (like many children do), they can swallow the eggs and get infected with pinworms without realizing it. A child can develop a pinworm infestation if they swallow pinworm eggs. The worm usually develops about three to four weeks after the egg has been swallowed.

Checking for pinworms

If your child is very itchy in their perianal area, they may have pinworms. However, an itchy anus could simply be caused by overly vigorous washing of the area with soap. You will need to check your child’s perianal area to make sure the pinworms are indeed present. Use a flashlight to search for a little, threadlike, wiggly worm. Try doing this a few hours after your child has gone to bed and again in the morning for a couple of nights.

If you do see a pinworm, your child’s health-care provider may wish to collect a sample to send it for confirmation. Their health-care provider may also have you check for pinworm eggs using a pinworm paddle. This is a collection container with a paddle inside it. The paddle has a sticky surface that is used to collect pinworm eggs or worms around the anus first thing in the morning. The sample is sent to the lab for confirmation.

Treating pinworms

If your child has pinworms, their health-care provider or your pharmacist can prescribe special medication to treat the problem. Since pinworms spread very easily, often the entire family may need to be treated for pinworms.

Washing bedding, towels, clothing and pyjamas in hot water is also helpful in reducing exposure to pinworm eggs.

Sometimes, the itch from pinworms can persist for a week or two even after effective treatment. Speak to your child’s health-care provider if the itch persists more than two weeks.

Preventing pinworms

Your child can get pinworms no matter how clean you keep your house. However, you can try the following precautions to reduce the chances of getting a pinworm infection:

• Wash your child’s hands and fingernails thoroughly before meals and after using the toilet.
• Keep your child’s fingernails clipped short to keep the eggs from collecting under the nails. Discourage your child from sucking their thumb or biting their nails.
• Vacuum or wet mop their room once per week because if there are eggs on the floor, they will remain contagious for one to two weeks.
• Wash your child’s clothing and bedding in warm water to kill any remaining eggs.