Your child generally does not need to stay home from school or daycare for pinworms; they can return right away as long as you are taking steps to prevent spread, though some sources suggest staying home for 24 hours after treatment to let the medicine start working and hygiene to be implemented, but many health organizations say no exclusion is necessary at all because they are so common and easily spread. Focus on good hygiene for two weeks after treatment, including frequent handwashing and cleaning bedding, as eggs can survive for weeks.
Pinworm eggs are infective within a few hours after being deposited on the skin. They can survive up to two (2) weeks on clothing, bedding, or other objects. The pinworms grow to adult size within two (2) to six (6) weeks. Pinworm infections can be spread as long as either worms or eggs are present.
Children with pinworms do not need to miss any child care or school.
Treat everyone in the same household and caregivers of the person diagnosed with pinworms at the same time. Treatment involves two doses of medication with the second dose given two weeks after the first dose. The medications kill worms but cannot kill eggs.
An infected person is contagious as long as eggs are present. Eggs can cause infection when they have been outside the body for as long as 2 to 3 weeks. Should children or staff be excluded? Child care and School: Do not exclude.
People get pinworm infections from swallowing these eggs after touching an infected person's skin or personal belongings, such as clothing, bedding, and toys. Pinworms can spread as long as the worm remains alive in the infected person. The eggs can survive up to 3 weeks on clothing and other objects.
Call your child's school or childcare center so that they can take extra steps to prevent the spread to others. Your child can return to school or childcare 24 hours after treatment.
Pinworm eggs can cling to surfaces indoors for up to 3 weeks. This includes the surfaces of toys, faucets, bedding and toilet seats. Clean these items often.
By an infected child not washing hands after using the bathroom. If the child then touches playmates or toys, he/she may pass on the eggs. Pinworm eggs can also be transferred to the fingers from clothing or bedding, and then spread around the home.
If a problem is occurring, then daily bathing is best. If the skin is irritated a dilute mild antiseptic can help. Applying Vaseline to the skin after cleaning can help protect the skin and prevent the eggs sticking.
❖ Every morning have a bath, or wash around the anus, to get rid of any eggs laid overnight. You must do this straight away after getting up from bed. ❖ Change and wash underwear, nightwear (and bed linen if possible) each day.
Any symptoms or signs patient might have, specifically itch (particularly intense, nocturnal, perineal itching is common with threadworms) and if any recurrent abdominal pain. Any previous episodes of threadworm. Any sleep disturbance and irritability at night. Any symptoms of vulvovaginitis.
If your child has a pinworm infection, the doctor will recommend an over-the-counter or prescription antiworm medicine. This is given in one dose, then repeated in 2 weeks. The doctor may decide to treat the entire family, especially if your child has had a pinworm infection before.
To help prevent spread within the home, when pinworms are identified in one family member, use these precautions: Treat any person who sleeps in the same bed as the infected child. Treat non-bed sharing family members only if they have symptoms. Treat all family members who develop symptoms.
Sharing toys, bedding, clothing, toilet seats, or baths may spread pinworms. The eggs are light and can float in the air.
Life cycle of a pinworm
Around 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 worm then dies, her reproductive mission complete.
Are pinworms contagious? They're highly contagious. Transmission is easy because the eggs can survive for a long time on surfaces or your fingers if you don't wash your hands.
Risk factors for pinworms include poor hygiene, eating after touching contaminated items and living with an individual who is identified as egg positive.
Where should you start when it comes to cleaning your home post-pinworm infection? For several days after treatment, it is important to clean the bedroom floors, either by vacuuming or damp mopping. After treatment has been administered, you should also wash all bed linens in hot water.
Although anyone can become infected with pinworms, it's most common in children younger than 10 years old. Kids that age often have their fingers in their mouths, and they aren't always great about washing their hands. Schools, preschools and day care centers are common sources of pinworm infection.
Do not scratch. Itching around the anus caused by a pinworm infection usually happens at night. Try wearing gloves, pyjamas, and close-fitting clothing to help prevent scratching. Bathe carefully every day.
Bathe carefully every day. Be sure to clean the skin around the anus. This will remove pinworm eggs. Showers may be better than baths because you have less chance of getting water that has pinworm eggs into your mouth.
Contagious period and spread
A person is infectious as long as eggs are present on the perianal skin. Eggs remain infective in an indoor environment for about two to three weeks.
Change and wash your underwear each day. Frequent changing of night clothes is recommended. Change underwear, night clothes, and sheets after each treatment.
Should one go to childcare, school, or work if they have pinworms? No exclusion necessary. Note: Exclusion guidelines may differ for healthcare workers. Follow the direction of your healthcare provider or occupational health at your workplace.