Son complains of itching...

[angelais]

Hi! I am new to this board and have a question/concern about my five year old.

For the past month or so he has been complaining of itching in his rectal area. (Sorry to be so blunt) and is often scratching it. He also grabs his crotch a lot and state he does it because his "balls" feel sticky.

I read that it could be pinworms, but that if it were pinworms the itching would be most prevalent at night when the pinworms are most active. I don't think that the itching ever wakes him up at night.

He has no rash in either area. Whenever we are out it becomes embarassing to see him scratching both areas almost constantyly.

I know I will just end up taking him to the doctor, but I wanted to see if anyone out there has had a child with similar symptoms.

Again, sorry for the crude subject matter, but I am looking for some insight.

Thanks, from a newbie!

[tsmom]

Sounds like pinworms. My son experienced the same symptoms last year. We took him to the doctor and he didn't see signs of pinworms but gave him the pill for them anyway. After a few days the itching had stopped. Be sure to wash his bedding very well and don't shake them. You can also check his stool to look for the pinworms.