Treatment for Anal Itching Without Pinworm Being Seen

1. Pinworm Checks: Check your child for pinworms.
   • Examine the area around the anus, using a flashlight.
   • Look for a ¼-inch, white, threadlike worm that moves.
   • Do this a few hours after your child goes to bed and first thing in the morning for 2 consecutive nights.
2. Scotch Tape Test: If no adult pinworm is seen, call your doctor's office for instructions on doing a Scotch-tape test for pinworm eggs or use the following technique:
   • Touch a piece of clear Scotch tape (with the sticky side down) to the skin on both sides of the anus. Do this in the morning soon after the child has awakened, and definitely before any bath or shower.
   • Do it 2 mornings in a row.
   • If no slide available, apply the piece of tape that has touched the skin to a second piece of tape.
   • Bring the 2 samples in for examination with a microscope.
3. Steroid Cream:
   • For the itching, wash the skin around the anus. For severe itch, apply 1% hydrocortisone cream 4 times per day.
     
4. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pinworm is seen.
   • Skin around the anus becomes red or tender.
   • Anal itching persists over 1 week.
   • Your child becomes worse.