Pinworm Habitat

Pinworms are tiny parasites that infect the intestinal tracts of millions of people each year, particularly children. They don't cause any real harm, just itching, but need to be treated by a physician. Individuals become infected with the worms after ingesting them from contaminated hands or surfaces. Pinworm eggs take up residence on people, throughout households and in public places.

Bed Linen

• Pinworm eggs are often found in bed linen.

  Contaminated bed linens are a common place where the eggs of the pinworm are found. The eggs are laid in the bed by the pinworm in an infected person. Frequent washing in bleach and hot water kills the eggs. If a person in the. family is infected, be sure to wash all of the linens and towels in the house.

Toilets and Bathroom Fixtures

• Pinworms and their eggs are easily transmitted in the bathroom.

  Since pinworms affect the area around the anus, they are often transmitted from a person's hands onto the toilet or the bathroom fixtures. It is very important to wash hands in warm water with soap after using a public restroom. Also, be sure to use a disinfectant when cleaning household bathrooms.

Schools

• Schools are where most pinworm infections occur.

  Children are very prone to becoming infected with pinworm while at school. The eggs from pinworms are found on school desks, lunch tables in the cafeteria, playgrounds or on toys. Be sure to teach children to wash their hands thoroughly after using the restroom and before eating to avoid infection.

Hand-to-Hand Contact

• Discourage thumb-sucking to avoid infection.

  Since the eggs of pinworms generally reside underneath the nails of an infected individual, hand-to-hand contact is the easiest and quickest way to become infected. Along with regular hand-washing, discourage children from sucking thumbs or putting hands in their mouth.