Pinworms are a type of worm that can get inside your body. They live in your intestines and eat some of the nutrients from your food. Usually this infection is annoying but not dangerous. Pinworm infections are common in families with small children. If your child has pinworms, you may notice your child moving around a lot in bed at night or being unable to sleep because of an itchy bottom.
Pinworms are easy to get.
Pinworms are usually spread from child to child, and the eggs can be picked up on children's fingers when they are playing. If the eggs are on their hands or toys, and they put their fingers or toys in their mouth, the tiny eggs can enter their bodies. The eggs are very small and can only be seen with a microscope. The eggs stay in the upper part of the intestine until they hatch. After they hatch, the worms move down the length of the intestine, trying to get out to lay eggs.