What type of worm is a pinworm?

What type of worm is a pinworm?

The most common worm infection in kids, pinworms are tiny white roundworms (less than ½-inch long) that live in the intestines. Pinworms are also known as threadworms.

What are the characteristics of pinworms?

Pinworms are thin and white, measuring about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 millimeters) in length. While the infected person sleeps, female pinworms lay thousands of eggs in the folds of skin surrounding the anus.

How do you treat pinworms naturally?

Follow these tips:

1. Wash your hands regularly.
2. Keep your fingernails short, and refrain from biting your nails.
3. Wear tight underwear.
4. Wash your underwear in hot water each day.
5. Change your sleepwear regularly.
6. Mop or vacuum the floors in all living spaces.
7. Wash all linens and bedding in hot water.

What is the life cycle of a pinworm?

Following ingestion of infective eggs, the larvae hatch in the small intestine 3 and the adults establish themselves in the colon 4. The time interval from ingestion of infective eggs to oviposition by the adult females is about one month. The life span of the adults is about two months.

Is pinworm curable?

Parasites – Enterobiasis (also known as Pinworm Infection) Pinworm infection is treatable with over-the-counter or prescription medication, but reinfection, which occurs easily, should be prevented.

How do you know if pinworms are gone?

If treated, pinworm infections are gone in 2 weeks. Call your doctor if your child has an itchy anus or has problems sleeping at night.

How do you test for pinworms at home?

Pinworm Checks: Check your child for pinworms.

1. Examine the area around the anus, using a flashlight.
2. Look for a ¼-inch (6 mm), white, threadlike worm that moves.
3. Do this a few hours after your child goes to bed. Check him 2 nights in a row. Also, check him first thing in the morning for 2 days.