When you have done your research and have a sneaky suspicion that you or a family member may have pinworms, it’s time for you to conduct a pinworm test. You may laugh at how the pinworm test is conducted. Yes, humankind has evolved into a highly advanced species with all kinds of medical equipment, but the best and easiest pinworm test is actually known as the pinworm tape test. Yes, you stick a piece of tape to your butt.
Tape for a Pinworm Test?
Alright, so how exactly does a piece of tape help? Here’s how the pinworm tape test works.
- You’re going to start off by getting a piece of tape. You’re not going to use just any adhesive tape. You want to make sure that it’s transparent. I know what’s jumping into your head right now. You want me to put Scotch Tape on my butt? Well, although it would probably do the trick, I would actually recommend getting tape from your doctor. If you would like to sound smart when talking to your doctor, you can use the more sophisticated and scientific terminology. Your healthcare provider will call the piece of tape a pinworm paddle. So go ask your doctor for a pinworm paddle. Okay, I refuse to call it a pinworm paddle anymore. For the rest of the article, it’s a piece of tape.
- To start the pinworm tape test, you’re going to apply the piece of tape to your anus. If you have pinworms, then the adhesive side of the tape will pick up the pinworm eggs, and possibly pinworms as well. Althought you may be able to see the pinworms with your naked eye, you will not be able to see the eggs. It is best to do this first thing in the morning before you have showered. I know, it sounds gross, but there’s a very good reason for it. You see, if you clean yourself, you’re also washing away the eggs, making the testing process less accurate. Also, the reason that you’re doing it first thing in the morning, is because the female lays the eggs at night while you are sleeping.
- At this point, your doctor can have the piece of tape examined under a microscope. They are looking to see if there are any pinworms or pinworm eggs.
So with all of the advancements in science, why do we use a simple piece of tape? Well, it’s non evasive. Would you prefer a camera with a magnifying glass inserted through your anus? I would personally pass on that one.
A Few More Words on the Pinworm Tape Test
I know I’ve been joking around a lot in this article about the pinworm test, but I want to get serious for a minute. I know that this may sound like an embarrassing thing to talk about with your doctor or healthcare provider, but if you suspect that you or a family member may have pinworms, it’s really important that a test is conducted so that you can get the proper treatment for pinworms. Although it’s not life threatening in most cases, irritation and a loss of sleep can be really annoying pinworm symptoms to have to deal with.
If you suspect pinworms, have a pinworm test done soon.
