Description of Pin Worms

Pinworms don't sound pleasant and their behavior and effect on humans is even more unpleasant. If you have a young child of school age, or you live in close quarters with many others (such as a dorm setting) your odds of being exposed to these critters and the resulting itching and sleeplessness is far greater than others who don't live in these types of conditions. There is also a good chance that you will at some point be exposed to these worms, as it is the most common worm infection in humans in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health.

Appearance

• Pinworms are also known as "threadworms" for a reason. According to the CDC, these white worms that grow no longer than a staple resemble clothing threads, or threads like dental floss. They're usually no bigger than a half-inch, still big enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Characteristics

• The Nemours Foundation reports that the worm's journey in the human body begins when worm eggs are digested. Eventually, these eggs hatch in the small intestine. The little worms work their way to the large intestine where they take up roots in the wall of your bowel. It's the females who ultimately cause the symptoms associated with a worm infestation. When you sleep, they emerge from their intestinal home and leave your body through the rectum. They deposit their eggs on the skin around the opening of the rectum, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. That movement is what causes the itching sensation.

Transmission

• You and your child can easily get a case of these nasty worms and their unpleasant side effects. That's because they can easily be spread from person-to-person through the fecal-oral route, the CDC reports. What typically happens is a child may scratch an infected area, trapping eggs under their nails. That child may then pass the eggs on to a friend during playtime or when they're sharing food or drink. The worms can also be passed through bed linen, towels and the clothing an infected person uses, according to Nemours.

Detection

• If you wait two to three hours after your child falls asleep, you'll be able to spot these worms on your child's skin or underwear. You may also be able to see them in the toilet after your child uses the bathroom, according to Nemours.

Treatment

• Pinworms are not fans of medications like Pin-X or Pin-Rid. Beyond medications, they also hate the light--at least their eggs are very sensitive to it and that's why they are nocturnal. They're also not fans of hot water; you'll want to launder all bedclothes, linens and any other articles that may have come in contact with the worms to rid your home of them, according to the CDC.

Prevention

• The best way to keep the worms away is to practice good hygiene. Do everything your mom told you to do and make sure your kids are doing the same. That means washing your hands regularly and thoroughly after using the bathroom. Daily morning bathing, particularly showering, is also encouraged. Since the eggs are so often trapped under the nails, any habits involving nail biting should be curbed.