Pinworms

• Intense itching around the anus, especially at night
• Difficulty sleeping due to itching
• Irritability or restlessness
• Occasional abdominal pain or nausea (less common)
• Seeing tiny white worms around the anus or in stool (especially at night or early morning)
• Loss of appetite (rare)
• Weight loss (rare)

Pinworms are caused by a parasitic worm called Enterobius vermicularis. The infection spreads when a person accidentally swallows microscopic pinworm eggs, which then hatch in the small intestine and mature in the large intestine.

Pinworm infection (enterobiasis) is the most common intestinal parasite infection in the U.S., affecting an estimated 40 million Americans at any given time. School-aged children are most commonly affected, with prevalence rates of 10-30% in some studies of daycare and school populations.

Treatment typically involves an oral anti-parasitic medication prescribed by your doctor, usually given in two doses a few weeks apart. It's often recommended to treat all household members, even if they don't show symptoms, to prevent reinfection.

Good hygiene is key to preventing pinworm spread. Encourage frequent handwashing, especially after using the toilet and before eating, keep fingernails short and clean, and discourage nail-biting. Regularly wash bedding, pajamas, and underwear in hot water.

Track Pinworms and other illnesses at your child's school in real time.