Pinworms in Children: Care Instructions

Overview

Pinworms are a type of parasite. They infect the intestines. They survive on nutrients from the food we eat.

Children are most likely to get pinworms if they eat or drink something that has the eggs on it. This happens when someone with pinworms scratches around the anus and gets eggs on their hands or under the fingernails. Then the eggs get on anything else the person touches. Other people can then get pinworms if they touch the person's hands or if they touch something the person touched.

Some people may feel embarrassed about having "worms." But pinworm infections can happen to anyone and are common in children.

It's easy to treat a pinworm infection. If more than one person in your home gets pinworms, or if your child's infection keeps coming back, make sure to treat everyone in your home.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Be safe with medicines. Have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your child is having a problem with a medicine.
• Wash your hands and your child's hands well and often.
• Cut your child's fingernails short, and keep them short. This can prevent eggs from sticking under the nails.
• Wash all clothes, towels, and bedding in hot water. Do this often, and especially on the first day after treatment. Dry them in a heated dryer, if you can.
• Teach your child not to scratch. Itching around the anus usually happens at night. Your child can wear gloves or tight clothes to prevent scratching.
• Bathe your child carefully every day. Be sure to clean the skin around the anus. This will remove pinworm eggs. Showers may be better than baths. This is because your child has less chance of getting water that has pinworm eggs into their mouth.
• Do not fan or fluff your child's bedding. This can release pinworm eggs into the air. You can get eggs that are in the air into your nose or mouth when you breathe.

When should you call for help?

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your child develops other symptoms, such as:
  • A fever or belly pain.
  • Redness, tenderness, or swelling in the genital area.
  • Itching in the genital area or vagina.
  • Pain when urinating.
  • A frequent or urgent need to urinate.
  • Lack of control of urination.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• Your doctor gave your child medicine, and the pinworms have not cleared up as expected (usually within 4 to 6 weeks).
• Your child is having side effects from medicine for pinworms.