Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Pinworms

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Susan Kinzer, MPH
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: August 2003
Last Revision Date: August 2003

• What are pinworms?
• What causes them?
• Who can get them?
• What are signs and symptoms?
• Are pinworms contagious?
• How are they diagnosed?
• How are they treated?
• How long do they last?
• Can they be prevented from spreading?
• When should I call the doctor?

What are pinworms?

• Pinworms are small, white worms. They can live in a child’s anus (rectum).
• They are about 1/2 inch long.
• Pinworms can sometimes be seen around a child's anus or in his stool.

(Images from Ohio State University at http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/enterobius.html)

What causes them?

• A worm called Enterobius vermicularis causes pinworm infections.
• Other common names are threadworms or seatworms.

Who can get them?

• School-aged children and preschoolers are most at risk.
• But, anyone can be infected.
• Pinworms infect about 200 million people worldwide. About 40 million people in the United States and Canada are infected.

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Itching around the anus
• Problems sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Being nervous
• Being irritated
• Girls can have itching in the vagina

Are pinworms contagious?

• Yes, pinworms are very contagious.
• At night, the female pinworm leaves the rectum. She lays eggs on the skin around the anus.
• The child scratches his anus and the eggs get under his fingernails.
• The eggs are passed to places he touches.
• The eggs are able to live on many objects. They can live for 2 to 3 weeks.
  • Unwashed hands
  • Bedding
  • Clothes (especially underwear and pajamas)
  • Toilets/bathrooms
  • Toys
  • Food
  • Dust particles in the air, etc.
• Another person touches that place and gets the eggs on his hands.
• He touches his mouth and the eggs get inside his body.
• A new infection starts.

How are they diagnosed?

• You can stick a piece of clear tape over his anus. Do this first thing in the morning.
• The eggs and worms will stick to the tape.
• Put the tape in a plastic bag. Take the bag to your child’s doctor.
• Eggs and worms on the tape can be seen with a microscope.

How are they treated?

• Pinworms are treated with drugs.
• Everyone in your house should take the drugs even if they do not have pinworms.

How long do they last?

• If treated, pinworm infections are gone in 2 weeks.

Can they be prevented from spreading?

• Yes, the spread of pinworms can be prevented.
  • Wash hands and under fingernails a lot. Be sure to wash after going to the bathroom, or after changing diapers. Also wash hands before and after eating.
  • Take a bath first thing in the morning.
  • Change and wash your underwear and pajamas every day.
  • Change and wash bedding every day.
  • Clip fingernails short.
  • Do not bite fingernails.
  • Do not scratch around the anus.
  • Clean the bathrooms and bedrooms.

When should I call the doctor?

• Call your doctor if your child has an itchy anus or genital area.
• Call your doctor if your child has problems sleeping at night.
• Call your doctor if you have any questions about your child's condition.

Quick Answers

• Pinworms are small, white worms. They can live in a child’s anus (rectum).
• School-aged children and preschoolers are most at risk. But anyone can be infected.
• The most common problems are itching around the anus and problems sleeping.
• Pinworms are contagious. To help prevent spreading, wash hands and under fingernails frequently. Also change and wash underwear every day.
• Pinworms are treated with drugs.
• If treated, pinworm infections are gone in 2 weeks.
• Call your doctor if your child has an itchy anus or has problems sleeping at night.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fact Sheet: Pinworm Infection. 1999 August 15. (citec 2003 July 21). http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/pinworm/factsht_pinworm.htm
• KidsHealth for Parents. Pinworm. 2001 June. (cited 2003 July 21) http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/parasitic/pinworm.html
• Netdoctor.co.uk. Threadworm (pinworm). 2002 January 2. (cited 2003 July 21). http://netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/pinworm.htm
• New York State Department of Health. Pinworm Infection. 2003 April. (cited 2003 July 21) http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/communicable_diseases/en/pinworm.htm
• Ohio State University. Enterobius. (cited 2003 July 21) http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/enterobius.html

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