This is done by collecting the eggs from around the anus using sticky tape first thing in the morning. Your doctor might want to perform a test to make sure the problem is a pinworm infection. adult worms can sometimes be seen in the faeces, and eggs may be seen clinging to the skin around the anus.Pinworm infections often produce no symptoms but, when they occur, symptoms can include: Household pets cannot be infected with pinworms or pass them on to humans. The eggs can survive on surfaces or objects (such as furniture, kitchen surfaces and toothbrushes) for up to 2 weeks in the right conditions and can infect other people if transferred to the mouth or food. These eggs can then be transferred to the mouth and the whole life cycle of the pinworm starts again. The eggs may cause intense itching, especially at night, so children can easily reinfect themselves by scratching the anus and scraping eggs under their fingernails. The worm then dies, her reproductive mission complete. A grown pinworm is yellowish white, slender and about one centimetre long.Īround 4 weeks after ingestion, the adult female moves down the gut and exits the body via the anus to lay a batch of eggs on the surrounding skin, often at night.

The eggs then travel to the gut where they hatch and mature. Infections begin when pinworm eggs are eaten, usually directly through contaminated hands or indirectly through contaminated food, bedding, clothing or other articles. In the case of pinworms, the human acts as the host. Worms require a host in order to survive. Infection can happen to anyone, regardless of a child’s home hygiene.ĭespite the unsavoury reputation, a pinworm infection is relatively harmless and can be easily treated. However, once a child is infected, other members of their household are also likely to get pinworms unless strict hygiene practices are observed. Other names for this parasite include threadworm and Enterobius vermicularis, or the common term ‘worms’.Ĭhildren are more likely to pick up an infection than an adult, probably because of children’s tendency to put their fingers in their mouths. Learn more about treatment options for pinworms here.The most common type of human worm infection in Australia is pinworm. Individuals who suspect a child has a pinworm infection should seek help from a healthcare professional before trying home remedies. washing clothes and bedding in hot waterĪlthough some people may turn to home remedies to get rid of pinworms, little research supports their effectiveness.working with the child to avoid thumb sucking and biting the nails.Caregivers can use the following hygiene tips: In addition to medication, practicing proper hygiene helps prevent reinfection. Since the infection spreads easily among people living together, treatment should also include all caregivers of the child and people living in the household. pyrantel pamoate (Reese’s Pinworm Medicine).Treatment involves two doses of over-the-counter or prescription medications spaced 2 weeks apart.Ĭommon medications used to treat pinworms include: Treatment for pinworms in children includes the following: Medications A combination of the treatments below works best to prevent the infection from coming back. Treatment helps get rid of the worms and ease symptoms.

Pin worms in human poop pictures