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How do you get rid of pinworms in kids?
Pinworms in children: itchy bottom at night, how the tape test works, treatment for the whole family, washing bedding, and hand hygiene to stop reinfection.
The short answer
Pinworms are treated with an anti-worm medicine, often taken as two doses two weeks apart, and doctors often treat the whole household. Wash bedding, towels and pajamas in hot water, keep nails short, bathe each morning, and wash hands after the toilet and before eating.
Pinworms are tiny white worms that live in the intestine and cause an itchy bottom, especially at night. They are very common in children aged 5 to 10 and spread easily in families, preschools and schools. They're harmless but annoying. Treatment is a short course of medicine, often for the whole family, plus washing and hand hygiene to break the cycle of reinfection.
Key takeaways
- Itching at night is the classic sign; many children have no other symptoms.
- Eggs spread from fingers to mouth, bedding and surfaces.
- A second dose two weeks later catches newly hatched worms.
- Pinworms have nothing to do with how clean your home is.
How pinworms spread
Female worms come out at night and lay eggs around the anus. The eggs cause itching. When a child scratches, eggs stick under the fingernails and get onto toys, bedding, towels and food, then into another person's mouth. Eggs can survive two to three weeks on surfaces.
Signs
- Itchy bottom, worse at night.
- Restless sleep or waking up crying.
- Irritability.
- In girls, vaginal itching.
- Tiny white threads seen around the anus at night or in stool.
Diagnosis
Your doctor may suggest a tape test: first thing in the morning, before bathing or using the toilet, press clear tape around the anus, then place it in a bag to take in. Eggs are seen under a microscope. You may need to repeat it on three mornings. Some parents see worms with a flashlight a few hours after bedtime.
Treatment
- An anti-worm medicine (such as mebendazole, albendazole or pyrantel pamoate), as your doctor recommends.
- Usually one dose, then a second dose two weeks later.
- Doctors often treat all household members at the same time.
- Ask about children under 2 and anyone who is pregnant; dosing differs.
Clean-up
On the day of treatment:
- Wash sheets, pajamas, underwear and towels in hot water.
- Vacuum carpets and wipe bathroom surfaces and toilet seats.
- Wash toys that go in mouths.
- Don't shake bedding, which can spread eggs.
Habits that stop reinfection
- Hand washing with soap after the toilet, before eating and after waking.
- Short nails, scrubbed daily.
- No nail biting or thumb sucking, when possible.
- Morning bath or shower to remove eggs laid overnight.
- Fresh underwear every day and snug pajamas at night.
- Separate towels for each person.
Daycare and school
Children don't need to stay home. Tell the daycare or school so they can remind families about hand washing.
Itch relief
A soothing ointment can help, and cotton underwear. Keep nails short so scratching doesn't break skin.
When to call the doctor
- Itching continues after the second dose.
- Skin around the anus is red, broken or infected.
- Abdominal pain, weight loss or blood in stool.
- Pinworms come back repeatedly.
Common questions
Can pets give pinworms? No. Human pinworms only infect people.
Can I see the eggs? No. They're microscopic.
Will it go away on its own? Rarely, because reinfection is so common.
The tape test, step by step
- Do it first thing in the morning, before bathing or using the toilet.
- Press the sticky side of clear tape against the skin around the anus.
- Fold the tape onto itself or onto a slide if your doctor provides one.
- Seal it in a plastic bag and bring it to the appointment.
Your doctor may ask you to repeat this on three mornings to improve the chance of finding eggs.
Treating the whole household
Because eggs spread easily, doctors often treat all family members at the same time, followed by a second dose about two weeks later. This timing catches worms that hatch after the first dose. Pregnant family members and children under 2 should ask their doctor first.
Talking to kids about it
Keep it matter-of-fact: "Tiny worms can live in the bottom and cause an itch. Medicine gets rid of them, and washing hands helps keep them away." Reassure kids that pinworms are common and not a sign of being dirty.
For the toilet-learning stretch, the potty-training book turns a photo of your child into an illustrated story you preview before ordering.
Gifts for this age: gift ideas for this age
Look through a sample potty-training book, then start from a photo.
Sources
- Pinworm Infection, KidsHealth (Nemours), accessed November 4, 2026
- Hand Washing: Why It’s So Important, KidsHealth (Nemours), accessed November 4, 2026
