How to Stop Pinworms

Pinworm infection occurs often in school-aged children and is the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the U.S. Pinworms are white in color and measure about one-quarter to one-half inch in length. They live in the large intestine, laying their eggs in the skin around the anus. Typically the entire household will be treated with oral medication as a precautionary measure. There are a few steps you can follow to keep the infection from spreading to other members of the family.

Things You'll Need

• Nail Clippers
• Soap
• Laundry detergent
• Hot Water
• Household Bleach
• Vacuum
• Mop

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Instructions

Steps to Stop Pinworm Infections

• 1

  Avoid scratching the anal area to reduce the risk of passing pinworms on to others, and keep your fingernails trimmed. The Children's Physician Network says that pinworm eggs can get lodged under your nails, making it easier for the infection to pass from one person to another. If your nails are short, the eggs cannot get stuck there. Nail biting and thumb sucking should also be discouraged for this reason.

• 2

  Shower after sleeping. Pinworms lay their eggs at night while you sleep, so thoroughly cleaning the anal area, where there may be eggs, can help remove any newly-laid eggs. Showering is recommended because baths increase the risk of recontamination in the water.

• 3

  Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom. This will ensure that eggs are washed away and not ingested when eating or putting hands in the mouth. Frequent and thorough handwashing will also cut down on the risk of passing pinworms on.

• 4

  Wash clothing, bedding, pajamas and towels in hot water to kill pinworm eggs. This means washing these items for all members of your household. One person who is infected can pass eggs onto other surfaces, where they risk contaminating other family members. Pinworms can live outside the intestine for two to three weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic, so washing all bedding and dirty clothes in hot water regularly over a period of two weeks will kill the eggs and stop further infection.

• 5

  Collect toys and place them in a sealed plastic bag for at least two weeks. Pinworms and their eggs need to be inside the human body to survive, so sealing away items your child touched while infected will kill any pinworms or eggs that might be lingering on your child's toys.

• 6

  Disinfect your home at least once a week, particularly the rooms belonging to infected family members. Also disinfect doorknobs, countertops and any other commonly touched surfaces. Vacuum or mop bedroom floors as well, recommends Children's Physician Network, as there may be pinworms on the floor.