Pinworms are small white worms about 1/2 inch long and as thin as a thread. They can sometimes be seen in and around the child's bottom (anus) and in bowel movements.
Pinworms are formally diagnosed when the symptoms are present and the worm is seen - either around the anal area, on the outside of the stool or toilet paper. The worm are about ¼ inch long and thin like a piece of thread-but are often moving.
At night, the adult worms can sometimes be seen directly around the anal area or in pajamas. The worm (one-quarter to one-half inch long) is clearly visible to the naked eye. Finding a worm confirms the diagnosis. If adult worms are not visible, conduct a tape test in the morning.
You can spot worms in your poo. They look like pieces of white thread. You might also see them around your child's bottom (anus). The worms usually come out at night while your child is sleeping.
The best way to diagnose this infection is to do a tape test. The best time to do this is in the morning before bathing, because pinworms lay their eggs at night. Steps for the test are: Firmly press the sticky side of a 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) strip of cellophane tape over the anal area for a few seconds.
Small, thin, grayish-white worms may be visible around the anus two-three hours after the person falls asleep. The worms look like little pieces of thread, which is why they are sometimes called threadworm. You can capture the worms using clear tape or let your doctor know that you saw them.
Worms can sometimes be seen on the skin near the anus or on underclothing, pajamas, or sheets about 2 to 3 hours after falling asleep. Pinworm eggs can be collected and examined using the “tape test” as soon as the person wakes up.
The eggs then get transferred to other surfaces, such as toys, bedding or toilet seats. The eggs can also be transferred from contaminated fingers to food, liquids, clothes or other people. Pinworm eggs can survive for two to three weeks on surfaces.
The most common sign of threadworms is itching around your anus (bottom), which is worse at night. This is because the worms are most active at night. In some instances, the worms can be seen in your stool (poo) or on toilet paper. Other signs include bedwetting, restless sleep, loss of appetite and irritability.
So many of us or our family members have experienced this relatively mild though distressing infection. Pinworm is the most common worm infection in North America with up to 50% of some groups of school aged children getting infected.
At night, the female adult worms deposit their eggs outside the rectum near the anal area. One way to detect pinworms is to shine a flashlight on the anal area. The worms are tiny, white, and threadlike. If none are seen, check for 2 or 3 additional nights.
While an infected person sleeps, female pinworms crawl out of the anus and lay their eggs on the surrounding skin. People get pinworm infections from swallowing these eggs after touching an infected person's skin or personal belongings, such as clothing, bedding, and toys.
Your child may be fussy and wake often at night. If your child is infected, it may take 2 to 8 weeks for symptoms to start.
The eggs pass into the digestive system, where they hatch. About 1 to 2 months later, adult female pinworms lay eggs on the skin right around the anus, which makes the area itchy. Often, this happens at night.
Chlorine dioxide gas inactivates pinworm eggs in a non-invasive and non-corrosive manner.
About threadworms
The worms are white and look like small pieces of thread. You may notice them around your child's bottom or in their poo. They don't always cause symptoms, but people often experience itchiness around their bottom or vagina. It can be worse at night and disturb sleep.
If left untreated, the intense itching and scratching associated with these infections will result in secondary bacterial infections. Some of these may be difficult to treat. Untreated people can continue to infect other people.
Your doctor can confirm the presence of pinworms by identifying the worms or eggs. To help your doctor make a diagnosis, you can perform the tape test.
A person is infected with pinworms by ingesting pinworm eggs either directly or indirectly. These eggs are deposited around the anus by the worm and can be carried to common surfaces such as hands, toys, bedding, clothing, and toilet seats.
If you have pinworms, you might see the worms in the toilet after you go to the bathroom. They look like tiny pieces of white thread. You also might see them on your underwear when you wake up in the morning. But the pinworm eggs are too tiny to be seen without a microscope.
Pinworm infections often produce no symptoms but, when they occur, symptoms can include: itchy bottom, especially at night. reduced appetite. feeling mildly unwell.
To remove threadworm eggs and prevent re-infection: Change and wash underwear, nightwear and, if possible bed linen and towels, every day for a few days. A hot water wash, or the heat of an iron, will kill the eggs. Do not shake bed linen indoors as this can spread eggs around.
How serious are threadworms? They are more embarrassing than anything else, because they can cause an irresistible urge to scratch the bottom. They are generally harmless and don't cause long-term damage.
The life cycle of threadworms
The eggs are too small to see without a microscope, but cause itching around the anus due to accompanying irritating mucus.