How to Diagnose Threadworms

Threadworms are also known as pinworms. As the names indicate, they are extremely small, thin worms that live in the intestines and can be found near the anus of an infected person. Children are more likely to be infected by threadworms, though anyone can ingest the small threadworm eggs, especially if they are in contact with an infected person. Only after threadworms have hatched in the intestine, about a month after ingestion, do they begin to cause symptoms that allow you to diagnose the infection. Read on to learn more about how to diagnose threadworms.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sticky tape
• Wooden craft stick

1. Know the most classic symptom of threadworms. Once threadworms have matured in the intestinal tract, they lay eggs around the skin of an affected person's anus. This causes the most recognizable symptom: intense anal itching. Since threadworms come out at night, the itching may be more intense in the evening or early morning.
2. Notice whether the affected person is sleeping more restlessly, grinding his teeth in his sleep or has increased episodes of nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting). These sleep symptoms, in conjunction with the itchiness, can be further indicators of a threadworm infection. Threadworms can cause urinary tract infections, which can cause bedwetting.
3. Look for a loss of appetite or stomach pains not explained by any other cause. Stomach pain associated with threadworm infections aren't usually severe, instead they are more likely to be slight and fleeting.
4. Diagnose threadworms via visual detection. Threadworms are sometimes seen as small, white, threadlike filaments in the bowel movements of an infected person. It is also possible to see the worms moving around the anus at night or see the eggs on the skin in the area.
5. Use a "tape test" to look for the presence of threadworm eggs. Wrap a piece of double-sticky tape around a small wooden craft stick and press it against the perianal skin before using the bathroom or showering in the morning. The small white eggs will stick to, and be seen on the tape.
6. Confirm your suspicions with a medical professional. Usually he will be able to diagnose threadworms by symptom descriptions alone, but he may also take a skin scraping to view under a microscope.

Tips & Warnings

• Threadworm eggs can survive up to three weeks without a host. Make sure to clean toilets, carpeting and bedding throughly and often if there is a suspected case in your home.
• Make sure children wash their hands frequently, especially if they have been scratching. Threadworm eggs can burrow under the fingernails and be passed to other people.