What Are Pinworms?🪱

As parents, we all dread hearing those words: “I’m itchy!” If your child has been complaining of constant itching around the bottom, especially at night, you may be dealing with pinworms. While the thought of worms can feel unsettling, pinworm infections are actually one of the most common intestinal infections in the United States, particularly amongst small children. The good news? They’re more of an annoyance than a serious health concern, and treatment is both simple and highly effective.

So… What Exactly Are Pinworms?🪱

If you’re anything like me, you probably never even heard of pinworms until you had children. So…what are pinworms? Pinworms (scientific name: Enterobius vermicularis) are tiny, thread-like worms that live in the human intestines. They’re white, about the length of a staple, and can actually be seen with the naked eye.

Although that might sound a little alarming, pinworms don’t usually cause serious illness. Instead, they tend to bring a whole lot of itching, disrupted sleep, and frustration for kids and parents alike!

How Do Kids Get Pinworms?

I’m sure you’re asking, “How do you get pinworms?” Here’s the frustrating part ; pinworms spread super easily and can infect the entire household if not treated. They’re passed around through microscopic eggs that can land on almost anything:

• A child scratches their itchy bottom and then touches toys, bedding, or clothing.

• Eggs land on surfaces like doorknobs, counters, or bathroom fixtures.

• Hands go straight from surface to mouth without proper washing.

The tricky part? Pinworm eggs are tough. They can survive on surfaces for up to two weeks, which makes reinfection easy if handwashing and cleaning habits slip.

What to Watch For (Symptoms)

Some kids don’t show obvious symptoms, but there are a few big red flags to watch for when it comes to pinworm symptoms in children:

• Itching around the bottom, especially at night
  
  

• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
  
  

• Irritability during the day from poor sleep
  
  

• In rare cases, mild stomach pain or nausea
  
  

Parents often notice that bedtime is when the itching seems to be at its worst. That’s because female pinworms crawl out of the rectum at night to lay their eggs on the skin. And that’s exactly what sets off the scratch-scratch-scratch.

💡 Parent Tip: To help your child settle at night, keep fingernails trimmed short and encourage them to wear snug-fitting pajamas. A quick warm shower before bed can also soothe the irritation and wash away any eggs that may cause more itching.

How Are Pinworms Diagnosed?

If you suspect pinworms have made their way into your home, your child’s doctor may suggest something called the “tape test.” This simple test involves pressing a piece of clear tape against the skin around your child’s bottom first thing in the morning—before they use the bathroom or take a bath. The tape can then be examined under a microscope  to check for pinworm eggs.

The Good news!

By now, you’re probably asking, “How do we get rid of pinworms?” The good news that all parents love to hear, pinworms are easy to treat and in most cases a single dose of PinRid, an over-the-counter treatment, will do the trick, on occasion a second dose is recommended 2 weeks late to ensure all the worms have gotten the memo to head out. Because pinworms spread so quickly, doctors typically recommend treating the entire household at the same time, even if no one else is showing symptoms.

Along with medication, these steps help prevent reinfection:

• Wash hands often (and remind kids to scrub with soap), especially before eating
  
  

• Keep fingernails short and discourage nail-biting.
  
  

• Wash pajamas, bedding, and underwear in hot water.
  
  

• Shower in the morning to remove any eggs laid overnight.
  
  

Can You Prevent Pinworms?

While we can’t control everything, kids are kids after all, you can lower the risk with good hygiene habits:

• Teach and model good handwashing before meals and after bathroom trips.
  

• Encourage daily showers instead of baths when possible.
  

• Wash clothes, bedding, and towels frequently.
  

• Remind kids not to scratch their bottoms, even if it itches.
  

The Parent Takeaway

Pinworms sound scary but in reality are incredibly common, very treatable and rarely dangerous. The toughest part is all the laundry and making sure the whole family takes treatment at once. But with quick pinworm treatment, like PINRID, and stepping up the hygiene routines you can kick pinworms to the curb and get everyone back to sleeping peacefully. 💤