Pinworms are the most common intestinal parasites found in humans in the United States, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. The parasites are small, about the size of a staple, and resemble a white piece of thread. Although anyone can get pinworms, they are particularly common in children who share close physical contact with others in school and playground setting.
Rectal itching is the most common sign of infection, especially at nighttime. If your child complains of itching for more than one week, a pinworm infestation may be the cause. Diagnosis of an infestation is made by visually identifying the parasites.
Step 1
Look at your child's bowel movements for signs of pinworms. Occasionally pinworms are visible on the surface of bowel movements, but they usually are not, according to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. A failure to spot pinworms on bowel movements does not rule out an infestation.
Step 2
Examine your child's perianal area for signs of pinworms. KidsHealth suggests nighttime is the best time to check for pinworms, because the female parasites "come out of the body at night to lay their eggs around the anus." Check your child two hours after bedtime or first thing in the morning. Use a flashlight to help you spot the pinworms around the anus. Occasionally, pinworms can be found on the vagina.
Step 3
Perform a cellophane tape check to capture microscopic pinworm eggs present on the perianal area. In the morning, before your child awakens, place the sticky side of the cellophane tape on the skin next to the anus. Affix the tape sticky side down onto a glass microscope slide. Ask your doctor to provide you with a slide, if needed. Bring the prepared slide to your doctor so he can examine it under a microscope to identify the pinworm eggs. You may have to perform the tape check several mornings in a row to effectively capture the microscopic eggs.
Step 4
Obtain prescription medication from your child's doctor if a pinworm infestation is present. Administer the medication according to the doctor's instructions. Treatment usually consists of two single doses of pyrantel pamoate, mebendazole, or albendazole administered two weeks apart. Prevent reinfestation by washing your child's hands, including under the nails, after restroom use and before meals.
Tips and Warnings
- Pinworms are generally not harmful, according to Merck, but they are sometimes bothersome because of perianal itching caused by the parasites. Humans are the only species to carry pinworms, according to the North Dakota Department of Health. People catch pinworms by unknowingly ingesting the microscopic eggs. After ingestion, the eggs hatch and travel to the intestines to live. The females travel through the intestines, exit the body and lay eggs around the perianal area. Presence of the parasites on the perianal area causes itching and irritation, which often leads to the infested person scratching the area to obtain relief. During scratching, the eggs can get under the person's nails. Eggs under the nails can inadvertently be transferred to the person's mouth and reinfest the individual, or can contaminate food or inanimate objects. Another person can pick up the microscopic eggs, transfer them to their mouth and become infected.
- Other conditions besides pinworms can cause perianal itching, such as a bacterial or fungal infection. Seek medical treatment for persistent itching symptoms.
Things You'll Need
- Flashlight
- Cellophane tape
- Glass microscope slide
