Your child scratches his bottom? Do you know what pinworms are?

Pinworms: What You Need to Know

Lately, your child has been scratching a lot. But this time, it’s not due to mosquito bites or lice—though those also spread at school or daycare. Instead, the culprit is worms, specifically pinworms. What raised your suspicions? Your child’s urge to scratch around the vulva and anus. Not familiar with them? Here’s a quick rundown of the essentials.

What Are Pinworms?

Pinworms are small white parasites that look like tiny worms. They cause itching around the anus and vulva, especially at night. While they are highly contagious, they are fortunately harmless.

How to Spot Them?

The most reliable sign is itching, particularly at night, often leading to sleep disturbances. If your child has these symptoms, you may need to check for pinworms. They can often be seen around the anus with the naked eye. A pediatrician can confirm the diagnosis and provide the appropriate treatment.

How to Prevent Their Spread Before the Doctor’s Visit?

Pinworms spread through the ingestion of their eggs, which can occur in several ways:

• Eating undercooked meat
• Contact with an infected and untreated pet (dog or cat)
• Exposure in daycares, schools, or sandboxes
• Scratching, which transfers eggs under the fingernails—from there, they spread to objects like door handles, clothes, bedsheets, stuffed animals, toys, remote controls, and eventually back to the mouth.

To reduce transmission, follow these precautions:

-  Wash hands frequently, especially before eating, skincare routines, and brushing teeth
- Avoid sharing  bath towels
- Regularly clean commonly touched surfaces, including  toilet seats
- On treatment day, do a  deep house clean: wash surfaces, pajamas, bedsheets, towels, and stuffed animals

How Are Pinworms Treated?

Once diagnosed, the doctor will prescribe treatment for the child and the entire family to prevent reinfection due to the parasite’s high contagion rate.

The treatment consists of a deworming medication taken twice, about two weeks apart, to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Good to know: Pinworms do not pose a risk during pregnancy. However, expectant mothers should consult their doctor for a safe treatment option.