Pinworm Test
Medical Author: Robert Ferry Jr., MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
Introduction to pinworm infection
Pinworm infection is caused by the pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis), a small, white worm. The pinworm is about the length of a staple and lives for the most part in the rectum of humans. While an infected person is asleep, female pinworms exit the intestines through the anus and deposit eggs on the skin around the anus. Within a few hours of being deposited on the skin around the anus, pinworm eggs become infectious (capable of infecting another person). Pinworm eggs can survive up to two weeks on clothing, bedding, or other objects.
What is the pinworm test?
If pinworms are suspected, transparent adhesive tape or a pinworm paddle (supplied by your healthcare provider) is applied to the anal region.
The pinworm eggs adhere to the sticky tape or paddle and are identified by examination under an ordinary microscope.
When should the pinworm test be done?
The test should be done as soon as you wake up in the morning (because bathing or having a bowel movement may remove eggs). The exam may require several samples for a positive diagnosis.
Aside from the anal region, what other area can be tested for pinworms?
Samples taken from under the fingernails may also contain eggs (since scratching of the anal area is common).
Can I see the pinworms myself?
At night, the adult worms can sometimes be seen directly on the bedclothes or around the anal area.
Last Editorial Review: 9/24/2007
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