Pinworms

Pinworms are tiny, white, thread-like worms that can cause an infection in your child’s intestines. They often move to the skin around the anus at night, causing significant itching and making it difficult for your child to fall asleep.

While the idea of worms might sound scary, try not to worry too much - pinworms don't cause any serious harm.

Pinworm infections spread easily, especially among kids. The tiny eggs from the worms can get on your child’s hands when they scratch the itchy area. These eggs can then spread to anything your child touches - clothes, bedding, toys, or even kitchen surfaces. If someone else touches these things and then puts their hands near their mouth, they can swallow the eggs and become infected too.

The good news is that pets don’t spread pinworms, so you don’t have to worry about them.

Common signs that your child might have pinworms include itching around the anus, trouble sleeping, or finding tiny white worms in their underwear or on toilet paper. 

Sometimes, you might even see them around your child’s anus, especially at night. 

If you think your child has pinworms, a doctor can confirm it and recommend an over-the-counter or prescription medicine to get rid of them. The medicine usually works quickly, but the itching might continue for a little while.

Treating pinworms is straightforward with oral medications. To help stop the infection from spreading, make sure your child washes their hands often, especially after using the toilet and before eating. Keep their nails short, and ensure they bathe every day.

It’s usually necessary to treat the whole family with oral antiparasitic medicines to prevent reinfection. However, pregnant women should avoid this medication.

Give us a call to set up an appointment if you’re concerned. When you visit our office, we’ll provide you with small adhesive paddles along with an instruction sheet on how to use them. After collecting the specimen in the morning, simply drop the paddle off at our office. We’ll have your results ready within 24 hours.

Remember, pinworms are common and not harmful. With proper treatment and a few preventive steps, you’ll be able to clear up the infection and keep your family healthy.