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Pinworms
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

Pinworms

Pinworms are common intestinal parasites that spread easily through contact with eggs, often causing intense itching around the anal area.

Overview

Pinworms are small parasites that can live in the colon and rectum. You get them when you swallow their eggs. The eggs hatch inside your intestines. While you sleep, the female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and lay eggs on nearby skin.

Transmission

Pinworms spread easily. When people who are infected touch their anus, the eggs attach to their fingertips. They can spread the eggs to others directly through their hands, or through contaminated clothing, bedding, food, or other articles. The eggs can live on household surfaces for up to 2 weeks.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The infection is more common in children. Many people have no symptoms at all. Some people feel itching around the anus or vagina. The itching may become intense, interfere with sleep, and make you irritable.

Your health care provider can diagnose pinworm infection by finding the eggs. A common way to collect the eggs is with a sticky piece of clear tape. Mild infections may not need treatment. If you do need medicine, everyone in the household should take it.

Prevention

To prevent becoming infected or reinfected with pinworms:

  • Bathe after waking up
  • Wash your pajamas and bed sheets often
  • Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers
  • Change your underwear every day
  • Avoid nail biting
  • Avoid scratching the anal area

Frequently Asked Questions

While the medication kills the adult worms, symptoms like itching may persist for several days to a week after treatment because the eggs that were already laid on the skin or in the environment can still hatch. It is critical to complete the full course of treatment, which often includes a second dose two weeks later to kill any newly hatched worms. If itching continues beyond two weeks after the second dose, consult your doctor to check for reinfection or an alternative cause.
The gold standard for diagnosis is the "scotch tape test." Since female pinworms migrate to the anal area at night to lay eggs, you should press a piece of clear adhesive tape against the perianal skin immediately upon waking, before bathing or using the toilet. This captures the eggs, which can then be examined under a microscope by a healthcare provider. A single negative test does not rule out infection, so repeating the test for three consecutive mornings may be necessary.
Yes, pinworm eggs are highly resilient and can survive on surfaces such as towels, bedding, clothing, and doorknobs for up to two weeks. Transmission occurs when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches their mouth or another person. To break this cycle, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating, and launder bed linens and underwear in hot water daily during the treatment period.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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