What do pinworms look like?

A: Pinworms are white and around 5mm in length and can be spotted at night around the anus when laying their eggs. The marks on the ruler are 1mm apart.

Q: Should I be worried about Pinworms?

A: Yes a pinworm infection can be very embarrassing for a child, especially of school age click here for pinworms treatment options. Pinworms are the most common type of worm infestation amongst kids. The eggs laid by the female pinworm causes irritation of your child’s bottom. When your child scratches, the pinworm eggs will be transmitted around your home and everyone in the household is likely to get infected. Classmates and other visitors to your home may also become infested so getting treatment now is highly important.

Is your home awash with unseen pinworm eggs?

Pinworm eggs can live for two weeks anywhere in the home just waiting to be swallowed. Anything your child touches could be covered in eggs without you even knowing. Detergents do not kill all the eggs so you must kill the pinworms using pinworm medication, click here for pinworms treatment options

Q: How do I know my child has a Pinworm infection?

A: You can check your child’s bottom at night using a torch to see if you can see the worms in the act of laying their eggs. Also you can use special tape designed to trap pinworms and their eggs. This can later be examined under a microscope.

It is VERY IMPORTANT to maintain a fastidious level of cleanliness. Make sure the whole family is treated and children wash their hands and nails. Keep your hands away from your mouth. Wash bed linen regularly at high temperature and family members should have their own individual towels.

Q: How long does treatment last?

A: The pinworms life cycle lasts around six weeks

Q: What can I do to help prevent pinworms?

A: You can click here for pinworms treatment options. You may need to advise your child’s school or playgroup so that other families can be checked. Although this can be embarrassing remember that your child caught the infection somewhere and the most likely place is from another kid at school.Bed sheets and blankets should be vacuumed each morning as should the floor. Surfaces should be wiped down with detergent and non-carpeted floors should be mopped. This is a daily routine for every room in the house, it’s going to be a long six weeks!

Make sure that family toothbrushes are put away in a cupboard and use separate cups for rinsing the mouth. Children should be supervised when washing their hands, they need to use warm soapy water and wash for at a minimum of ten seconds, you need to be doing the same by the way. Use an anti-bacterial soap as this should destroy the pinworm eggs and remeber to wash before meals, after going to the toilet and when you have been on public transport or in public areas like malls.

Q: How do you catch pinworms?

A: You can catch pinworms from someone already infected, usually a family member and are transmitted by touch.

Q: What are the symptoms of pinworms?

A: Anal itching, especially during the night, restless disturbed sleep which also leads to a general tired feeling and grumpiness.

Q: Can my girlfriend catch my pinworms?

A: Yes, pinworms are transmitted very easily through contact with contaminated surfaces or people.

Q: Can I get rid of a pinworm infestation without telling my Mom?

A: Not if you are a minor.

Q: Why does my bottom itch at night?

A: Pinworms live in the intestine but lay their eggs around the anus. They do this at night and this is what can cause itchiness.

Q: Can pinworm by caught from my toothbrush?

A: Yes. Keep your toothbrush in a bathroom cabinet not next to the sink in a glass.

Q: Are pinworms anything to do with hemorrhoids?

A: No although an itchy bottom could be a symptom of both conditions.

More pinworm information can be found at the following websites:
Mayo Clinic
http://www.nlm.nih.gov