What it is
Pinworms are tiny white worms and the most common worm infection in American children. The eggs are swallowed from hands and surfaces, and the worms lay new eggs around the anus at night, which causes the itching. They're harmless but spread very easily, so treatment usually covers the household.
What you might notice
- Itching around the anus, especially at night
- Restless sleep and irritability
- In girls, itching or irritation around the vagina
- Thin, white, thread-like worms about a quarter to half an inch long, seen around the anus at night or on stool
What we can do on video
- Diagnose from the history and, if you have one, a photo or a tape test
- Prescribe or recommend a deworming medicine, with a second dose two weeks later
- Advise who else in the household should be treated
Caring for them at home
- Morning showers to wash away eggs laid overnight
- Handwashing after the bathroom and before meals; keep nails short
- Discourage nail biting and scratching
- Wash pajamas, underwear and bedding in hot water for the first few days
- Change underwear daily and clean toilet seats
Be seen in person if…
- Severe belly pain or vomiting
- Blood in the stool or weight loss
- Painful urination
- Symptoms still present after two doses
- A child under two, for a dosing check
This information is educational and doesn't replace an evaluation by a clinician. Hugs is not insurance. Treatment is at the discretion of the clinician and limited to what can be safely assessed over video. Reviewed by the clinicians of LPMD Medical Group. Updated 2026-09-17.