Pinworms - Topic Overview
How are pinworms diagnosed?
To find out if you have pinworms, your doctor will ask about your past health and check the skin around your
The doctor may ask you to do a transparent tape test at home. To do the test, you press a piece of clear, sticky tape on the skin around your anus in the morning before you get up. The doctor will put the tape under a microscope
to look for pinworm eggs. You might need to repeat this test a few times.
How are they treated?
You can treat pinworms with
over-the-counter or prescription medicine that kills the worms. Treatment can help keep you from getting infected again and from spreading
the infection to other people.
You will probably need two doses, 2 weeks apart. That's because the medicine kills the worms but not the eggs. The second dose will kill any worms that hatch after the first treatment.
Pinworm medicine may not be safe for children younger than 2 and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. So to reduce their risk of infection, a doctor may recommend that all other household members be treated with medicine.
Call your doctor if:
- Medicine hasn't cleared up the infection.
- The medicine
is causing side effects.
- You have new or worse symptoms.
How can you keep from spreading pinworms or getting them again?
Pinworms spread easily and often come back. To reduce your chances of spreading the infection or getting infected again:
- Wash your hands carefully and often. Teach your children to do the same, especially after they use the toilet and before they handle food.
- Keep your
fingernails short, and don't scratch the itch. Wearing gloves at night may help prevent scratching.
- Bathe or shower every day.
- Don't share or reuse towels or washcloths.
- Change your underwear and bedding each morning.
- Wash clothes, bedding, and towels regularly. Dry them in a hot dryer.
If anyone in your household gets pinworms again, the whole family may need to take medicine.