Some authorities feel that treatment is unnecessary, because the infestation rarely causes problems and reinfestation is likely. Measures to completely eliminate infestation within a family involve treating each family member and retreating in two to three weeks. General measures to control infestation are washing hands before meals and after use of the toilet, keeping fingernails short and clean, laundering all bed linen twice weekly, and cleaning toilet seats daily. Keep hands and fingers away from the nose and mouth unless they are freshly washed. Carry out these measures while family members are treated with medication.
Pinworms cause little damage and can be eradicated easily with proper treatment.
Full recovery is expected. The eggs may be easily seen under a microscope. To obtain a sample, a piece of Scotch-tape is pressed against the patient's anal opening. The sticky side of the tape picks up the pinworm eggs and the tape is then stuck to a microscope slide. The eggs can be viewed under the microscope.