Steps
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1
Be aware of which people are most at risk of getting a pinworm infection (enterobiasis). As noted, children tend to be infected more often but the ease with which they can be passed from person to person means that anyone is potentially able to be infected. Those most likely to be infected include:
School- and preschool-aged children
People who are institutionalized
Family or household members and caregivers of people with a pinworm infection.
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2
Understand the life cycle and transmission vector (how the parasites grow and are spread from host to host). Pinworm eggs hatch in the hosts small intestine. When grown, they travel to the rectum to lay eggs, and the "glue" that adheres the eggs to the anus is what triggers the skin's itching sensation. When someone scratches the itchy area, microscopic pinworm eggs are transferred to their fingers. Contaminated fingers can then carry pinworm eggs to the mouth, where they are either passed hand to mouth or to various surfaces, where they can live for 2 to 3 weeks and be picked up by others.
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3
Be alert for signs of irritation in the rectal area. Often, someone can have a pinworm infection without having any symptoms. When symptoms are present, they are likely to be:
Itching around the rectum (bottom) – the itching is usually worse at night, and is caused by the worms migrating to the area around the rectum to lay their eggs.
Restlessness, poor sleep
Bedwetting
Irritability (such as teeth-grinding).
In females, pinworm infection can spread to the vagina and cause a vaginal discharge.
Take note of a sudden onset of difficulty sleeping or nighttime restlessness.
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4
Look for actual signs of the worm. Checking for the worms can be done using the naked eye, as follows:[1]
You can actually see worms in the anal (rectal) area, especially if you look about 2 or 3 hours after your child has fallen asleep. Use a flashlight (torch) to help you see clearly.
You might also see the worms in the toilet after he or she goes to the bathroom. Look to see if the worms are wriggling in bowel movements. The worms look like tiny pieces of white thread and are very small, about this long: ___
They may also be found on underwear in the morning.
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5
Take a collection of worms. If you suspect a pinworm infestation, your doctor may ask you to help make the diagnosis of pinworm by placing a sticky piece of clear cellophane tape against your child's rectum.[2] Pinworm eggs will stick to the tape and can be seen under a microscope in a laboratory. The doctor might also take some samples from under a child's fingernails to look for eggs.
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6
Prevent the infection. Pinworm infection is spread by the transfer of pinworm eggs from the anus to someone’s mouth. This typically happens either directly by hand or indirectly through contaminated articles. The following steps will help reduce the spread of the infection and lower the risk of re-infection:
The best way to protect yourself and your family from a pinworm or any other parasitic, bacterial, or viral infection is to practice and teach proper handwashing techniques. Make sure you and your family wash hands before eating or handling food, after using the bathroom, and after changing a diaper. Wash your hands after attending to children who are being treated for pinworms.
Keep fingernails clean and trimmed short. Avoid biting your fingernails.
Avoid scratching the skin around the anus area. Have children wear close-fitting sleepwear and underpants and mittens. This will make it harder for them to scratch at night and pick up the worms.
Every family member should wash their body every morning and change underclothing daily (showering may be preferred to avoid contaminated bath water). During treatment, shower at night and in the morning, to remove eggs that have been laid during the night.
Handle the bedding, clothing, and towels of an infected person carefully. Avoid shaking the articles and wash infected articles (underwear, bed linen, sleepwear, and towels) in hot water, separately from other washing.
Avoid eating in the bedroom. Doing so increases the risk of contact with the pinworm's eggs.