Actually, the symptoms are usually mild and vague. Movement of egg-laden female worms from the anus will often produce itching of the anus or vagina that, in some cases, may become very intense and even interfere with sleep. A doctor or other health care worker can diagnose pinworm infection by finding the eggs. The most common way to collect the eggs is a rather simple one involving swabbing the anal area with the sticky side of a piece of transparent cellophane tape. The tape is then transferred to a slide where it can be looked at under a microscope.
Some doctors believe that no treatment is necessary for pinworm infections that have no symptoms.
This is because children usually outgrow the infection. Because of the strong probability that small children will get infected again outside the home, strenuous efforts to eliminate the eggs from the household are of little help. If the doctor does prescribe medicine, all members of the household should take it, regardless of whether they have symptoms. To relieve intense itching that often accompanies pinworm infection, a doctor may prescribe a soothing ointment or cream. The name Ascaris lumbricoides reflects the resemblance of this intestinal roundworm to the common earthworm known as Lumbricus.