Once swallowed, the eggs hatch in the intestines and mature into adult worms within a few weeks. Female pinworms move to the anal area to lay their eggs, which often results in anal itching. When you scratch the itchy area, the eggs cling to your fingers and get under your fingernails. The eggs then get transferred to other surfaces, such as toys, bedding or toilet seats. The eggs can also be transferred from contaminated fingers to food, liquids, clothes or other people.
Typical pinworm infections don't cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of female genitals. The parasite can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes and around the pelvic organs.
This can cause problems such as inflammation of the vagina vaginitis and inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus endometritis. Pinworm eggs can cling to surfaces, including toys, faucets, bedding and toilet seats, for two weeks. So besides regular cleaning of surfaces, methods to help prevent the spread of pinworm eggs or to prevent reinfection include:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Pinworms don't come from animals. The most common signs of a pinworm infection are itching around the anus and restless sleep.
The itching is usually worse at night because the worms move to the area around the anus to lay their eggs.
In girls, pinworm infection can spread to the vagina and cause a vaginal discharge. If the itching breaks the skin, it also could lead to a bacterial skin infection. If your child has a pinworm infection, you can see worms in the anal region, especially if you look about 2 or 3 hours after your child has fallen asleep.
You also might see the worms in the toilet after your child goes to the bathroom. They look like tiny pieces of white thread and are really small — about as long as a staple.
You might also see them on your child's underwear in the morning. Belly pain and nausea are less common symptoms but can happen if there are many pinworms in the intestines. Your doctor may ask you to help make the diagnosis of pinworm by placing a sticky piece of clear cellophane tape against the skin around your child's anus.
Pinworm eggs will stick to the tape and can be seen under a microscope. The best time to do this is at night or in the morning before a bath when there's the most pinworm activity around the anus. The doctor also might take some samples from under a child's fingernails to look for eggs. If your child has a pinworm infection, the doctor will recommend an over-the-counter or prescription antiworm medicine. This is given in one dose and repeated in 2 weeks. The doctor may decide to treat the entire family, especially if your child has had a pinworm infection before.
If adult worms are not visible, conduct a tape test in the morning. Apply a piece of transparent tape against the folds of skin around the anus to pick up any eggs or worms. Seal in a plastic bag. Take the tape to a health care provider. The eggs and worms caught on the tape can be identified under a microscope.
How is a pinworm infection treated? It is given in two doses. The second dose should be given two weeks after the first. Bathe first thing in the morning to reduce egg contamination. Wash hands and under the fingernails thoroughly, after using the bathroom, before eating and after changing diapers. Discourage nail biting and scratching bare anal areas to avoid re-infection. Keep fingernails trimmed very short. Infection often occurs in more than one family member. Treat all infected family members at the same time.
Step 2: Treat the household Change and wash underwear and pajamas in hot water daily. Machine-wash sheets, blankets, towels and clothing in hot water to destroy eggs. Machine-dry at high temperature. Eggs are sensitive to sunlight, so open blinds in bedrooms in the daytime.
Since pinworm eggs are light and scatter easily, dust should be removed carefully from all surfaces in the home. Careful vacuuming or the use of an oiled cloth which may be boiled or destroyed later will help prevent the eggs from scattering.
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