Children and Pinworms     

Pinworms are common parasites that affect mostly children.

Cause

Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) are parasites that are spread from person to person -- usually from child to child. The pinworm eggs leave the body of an infected person through the rectum. Failure of personal hygiene such as not washing the hands after using the toilet can spread eggs to other objects in the environment and even to house dust.  Another person takes the eggs in unknowingly through the mouth after having touched food, bedding or other items that have been contaminated with pinworm eggs. 

Symptoms

The main symptom of pinworms is the itching a child feels as the female worms move to the rectum to lay eggs and from the eggs themselves. Symptoms include:

• Intense itching around the rectum or, in girls, the vagina (sometimes a worm goes into the vagina instead of the rectum)

• Difficulty sleeping, usually because of the itching at night

• Irritability because of the lack of sleep and the itching

• Irritation and scabbing around the rectum because of scratching

• Visible small, white worms in the anal area, especially at night after the child falls asleep and the anal sphincter relaxes

Treatment

Pinworms can be treated successfully with prescription medication. The most commonly used medications are pyrantel pamoate and mebendazole. Pinworms are an annoying condition but not a serious one. You will need a doctor's care to get rid of the infestation.

Self-Care

If one person in a household gets pinworms, the infestation easily can spread. Self-care measures can help prevent that spread. Use these measures for three days after taking the pinworm medication:

• Avoid scratching the area around the rectum or any other infected area.

• Everyone in the household should keep his or her hands and fingers away from the nose and mouth, except just after washing.

• Make sure your children wash their hands and fingernails thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom and before eating anything.

• Keep your children's fingernails short.

• Discourage thumb sucking and nail biting.

• Have your child wear shorts or panties under pajamas.

• Give your child a shower each morning and remove shorts or panties in shower. Wash immediately.

• Clean the toilet seat and bathtub after use.

• Vacuum or wet-mop your child's room. Eggs that are scattered on the floor are infectious for one to three weeks.