Signs of Pinworms in Kids

Pinworms are a type of parasitic roundworm, or nematode. Though pinworms can infect anyone, school-aged children develop infections more than anyone. Children can easily catch pinworms by accidentally swallowing pinworm eggs. Once the eggs become ingested, your child will develop an enterobiasis infection. Pinworms can cause mild to severe symptoms. Pinworm eggs can survive on bedding and inanimate objects for up to three weeks. An infection requires prompt treatment.

Itching

• Adult female pinworms migrate through your child's digestive tract and deposit themselves around your child's anus. The female lays her eggs on the perianal folds, which can lead to itching. Itching can cause restlessness in your child, especially at night. Girls may develop vaginal itching from scratching their rectum and transferring pinworm eggs to the vagina. This can result in vaginal discharge and swelling of the vaginal area.

Infections

• In rare instances, pinworms can result in urinary tract infections in girls. Due to severe external itching, children can develop bacterial infections. Severe enterobiasis infections can cause bed wetting. Enterobiasis infections can mimic signs of appendicitis, such as abdominal cramping, loss of appetite, abdominal swelling and diarrhea. If your child develops these symptoms, seek immediate medical assistance.

Other Signs

• Pinworms can be identified after your child has a bowel movement. Pinworms appear as small pieces of thread-like material. You might see dead pinworms in your child's underwear or clothing during the morning or a few hours after your child has gone to bed.

Confirmation

• Your physician can confirm an enterobiasis infection by external examination and with cellophane tape. Your physician will require several tape samples for identification. Apply the cellophane tape to the affected area prior to your child using the restroom in the morning. Save the samples and give them to your physician.