How to Tell if Your Child Has Pinworm

Children get pinworms fairly commonly. They are spread through contact with their microscopic eggs. Frequent and thorough handwashing helps to prevent the spread of pinworms. A diagnosis of pinworms should be confirmed with a physician, but it's nice to have an idea of what's going on first.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• transparant tape
• flashlight
• latex gloves
• toilet paper
• magnifying glass

1. Observe the time of day when your child exhibits discomfort in the bottom. Pinworm is characteristically most active at bedtime, when children often complain of severe itching in their bottoms.

2. If you suspect pinworm, you may be able to observe them firsthand. Put on the latex gloves and simply by shine a light and look. Pinworms look like little white worms. They are visible with the naked eye, and often squirm around.

3. If you observe nothing notable, then check the sheets carefully for pinworms at night.

4. If you see no pinworms in the sheets at night, then in the morning, before the child goes to the bathroom, dresses, or bathes, quickly press a piece of transparent tape on skin near the anus. This can collect eggs. Take the tape to the doctor's office. They can examine it under a microscope.

5. Always follow up with a doctor.

[kimarkent]

on 1/10/2009 I know this doesn't sound like a popular topic,,but it needed to be said. I had 4 children, and had to do this many times. Just because they get pinworms doesn't mean you are not a clean person... thanks for the article! really well said. 5*