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A test to detect the presence of pinworms. Pinworms are small, thin worms that commonly infest small children, although anyone can be infested. The adult pinworms live in the intestine and colon, and at night the female adult worms deposit their eggs outside the rectum or anal area.

How the Test is Performed

At night use a flashlight to inspect the anal area. The worms are tiny, white, and threadlike. If none are seen, check for 2 or 3 additional nights.

The best way to diagnose this infection is to do a tape test. The best time to collect a sample is in the morning before bathing because the eggs are laid at night. The sticky side of a 1 inch strip of cellophane tape is pressed firmly over the anal area for a few seconds. The eggs stick to the tape. The tape is then transferred to a glass slide, sticky side down. The slide should then be examined by your medical provider to look for eggs.

To improve the chances of picking up the eggs, this test may need to be done on three separate days.

How to Prepare for the Test

Adults:
No special preparation is necessary.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age: