$Unique_ID{PAR00130}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Pinworms}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Pinworms anal genital Itch Itching burning Bed-wetting Abdominal
cramps cramp worm egg recurrent vagina bladder inflammation pinworm large
intestine microscopic eggs anus larvae appendicitis urethra Vermifuge
Vermifuges medicine medicines medication medications}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Pinworms


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Itching or burning in the anal or genital area
     - Bed-wetting
     - Abdominal cramps

     HOME CARE
     - Ask the doctor to prescribe a medication to get rid of the pinworms.
     - Keep the fingernails of the infected child cut and scrubbed to avoid
       spreading the pinworms.
     - Launder the child's clothing and linens to kill the worm eggs.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - If one member of the family has pinworms, all members (except infants
       and pregnant women) should be treated at the same time.
     - Do not blame a child's case of pinworms on the family dog or cat.
       Pinworms do not live in these animals.
     - Worm medications should be obtained only with a doctor's prescription.
     - Be aware that pinworms may be the cause of recurrent inflammation of
       the vagina or bladder.


     The pinworm, a distant cousin of the earthworm, lives only in humans and
apes.  The adult pinworm is one-quarter to one-half inch in length, white in
color, and about as thick as sewing thread.  It lives in the large intestine
and, moving with a caterpillar-like motion, comes out at night to lay
microscopic eggs on the skin around the anus (the opening from the intestines
to the outside of the body).  The eggs are transmitted from the anus to the
mouth on the child's hands, on toys, or in food that the child has touched.
The child then swallows the eggs.  The eggs hatch into larvae (the immature
form of the pinworm).  Two to six weeks later, the larvae have developed into
mature, egg-laying adult pinworms, and the cycle continues.  Pinworms can be
transmitted to other children and to adults in the same manner.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     A child with pinworms has few symptoms.  The child may complain at night
of itching or burning around the anal or genital area.  Pinworms can also be a
cause of a sudden onset of bed-wetting.  If the infestation is heavy, the
child may have abdominal cramps.  Pinworms can cause appendicitis (although
this is rare), and they can work their way into a girl's vagina and urethra
(the passageway from the bladder to the outside), causing inflammation.
     The diagnosis of pinworms is usually made easily by examining the skin
around the anus at night while the child sleeps or just after the child
awakens.  Pinworms head back into the anus if disturbed by light, so the
search must be done quickly.  A pinworm can be mistaken for lint on the skin;
if the "lint" moves, it is a pinworm.  Pinworms may occasionally be found in a
bowel movement, but this is not a reliable way of making a diagnosis.

HOME CARE

     Vermifuges (worm medicines) must be obtained by prescription, but many
doctors will prescribe them over the telephone.  When one member of a family
has pinworms, all members should be treated at the same time (the only
exceptions are infants and pregnant women, for whom the physician must make
special arrangements).

PRECAUTIONS

  -  If there are symptoms of recurrent inflammation of the vagina or bladder
     (such as burning on urination or lower abdominal pain), suspect that
     pinworms may be the cause.
  -  If one member of a family has pinworms, launder that person's
     underclothes, bed linens, and towels to destroy the worms' eggs.  Also,
     cut and scrub his or her fingernails to remove any eggs.
  -  Do not mistake lint or thread for pinworms; look for movement.
  -  Do not blame household cats and dogs if your child has pinworms.  These
     worms live only in humans.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your doctor will investigate for pinworms using clear tape that will pick
up any eggs that are on the skin.  The tape is then examined under the
microscope.  If pinworms are found, the doctor will prescribe worm medication
for the entire family (except infants and pregnant women).

RELATED TOPICS:  Appendicitis; Bed-wetting; Stomachache, chronic; Urinary
tract infections; Vaginal discharge