An Overview
The medical condition associated with pin worm infestation is known as enterobiasis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pinworms are the most common type of worm infection in the United States. They are parasites, meaning that they use the human body to survive and reproduce. A pinworm infection is one of the most common types of human intestinal worm infections. Pinworms are tiny, narrow worms. They’re white in color and less than a half-inch long. Pinworm infections are also known as enterobiasis or oxyuriasis.
They’re the most common type of human worm infection in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pinworm infections are very common, affecting approximately 1 billion people worldwide. People of all ages can become infected with pinworms, but the infections are found most often in children. Caregivers and family members of infected children have a higher risk of infection.
Symptoms for Pin worm
Some individuals with pin worm infections may not experience any symptoms. However, you may suspect that you or your child has a pinworm infection if you notice:
- Frequent and strong itching of the anal area.
- Restless sleep due to anal itching and discomfort.
- Disturbed sleep and fussiness caused due to itching around the anal region.
- Bacterial infection increases the chances of pin worms due to excessive itching that causes skin breakage around the anal region.
- Pain, rash or other skin irritation around the anus.
- The presence of pin worms in the area of your child’s anus.
- The presence of pin worms in stools.
- In girls, pin worms can affect the vagina causing vaginal itching and/or discharge.
- Itching of the anal or vaginal area.
- The chance of appendicitis, which is extremely rare, could occur due to the blockage of the appendix by pin worms.
- Insomnia, irritability, teeth grinding and restlessness.
- Occasional stomach pain and nausea.
- In some cases, excessive pin worms infection in the intestine can lead to nausea and vomiting. Pin worms can cause nausea and vomiting in rare cases.
Causes of pinworm
Female pinworms move to the anal area to lay their eggs, which often results in anal itching. When you scratch the itchy area, the eggs cling to your fingers and get under your fingernails. The eggs then get transferred to other surfaces, such as toys, bedding or toilet seats. The eggs can also be transferred from contaminated fingers to food, liquids, clothes or other people. About a month later, the eggs hatch in your intestines and grow into adult worms. Female pinworms move to your anal area to lay their eggs. This causes anal itching. If you scratch the area, the eggs cling to your fingers and get under your nails.
- Pin worms infections are highly contagious. You become infected with pin worms by unintentionally ingesting or inhaling pin worm eggs.
- These eggs are usually deposited onto a surface or object by a person who’s been infected. The cycle of infection begins with the ingestion of these microscopic eggs.
- Once the eggs enter your body, they remain in the intestine until they hatch and mature. As adults, the female pinworms move into the colon and exit the body through the anus at night.
- Children transfer pinworm eggs easily because they may put infected toys or other objects directly into their mouths. The eggs can also transfer from contaminated fingers directly to food or liquids. While uncommon, it’s also possible for adults to inhale airborne eggs when shaking contaminated bedding, towels or clothing.
- The female pinworm lays eggs around the anus and vagina. The eggs can be transferred from the person’s anus to Bed sheets, hands, Carpets, towels, clothes and Underware
Diagnosis
- A tape test is the most reliable method for diagnosing a pinworm infection. This test consists of taking a piece of cellophane tape and pressing the sticky, adhesive side against the skin around the anus.
- Pinworms often exit the anus while a person sleeps. Because of this, people who suspect they’ve been infected should conduct a tape test upon waking in the morning. If eggs are present, they’ll stick to the tape.
- Use a flashlight to check around the anal region. Since the worms lay eggs at night, checking in the morning is ideal.
- Checking the surface of your child’s faeces or the vaginal tip can prove helpful.
- Using transparent tape, gently press around the anus to see if your child has been infected. Since pinworm lay eggs around that region, it will be easy to identify the infection.
Complications
- Bacterial infection from scratching the anal area
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Appendicitis
- Abdominal infection
- Weight loss
Treatment
To treat pinworm infection, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pyrantel pamoate or prescribe medication to all members of your household to prevent infection and reinfection.
The most common prescription anti-parasite medications for pinworms are:
- Mebendazole
- Albendazole (Albenza)
You may need to take at least two doses to get rid of the worms completely. The medicine might upset your stomach a little.
The doctor may prescribe medication to everyone in your household to prevent infection and reinfection.
Prevention
- Wash in the morning. Because pinworms lay their eggs at night, washing the anal area in the morning can help reduce the number of pinworm eggs on your body. Showering may help avoid possible re-contamination in bath water.
- Change underwear and bedding daily. This helps remove eggs.
- Launder in hot water. Wash bedsheets, pajamas, underwear, washcloths and towels in hot water to help kill pinworm eggs. Dry on high heat.
- Don’t scratch your anal area. Trim your child’s nails so there’s less space for eggs to collect.
- Discourage nail biting.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before handling food. Teach your kids to do the same.
- Do not eat in the bedroom. There is a risk of swallowing eggs that have shaken off the bedclothes.