Pinworm infection

Description

Pinworm infection is the most common type of worm intestinal infection in the united States and one of the more common throughout the world. Pinworms are thin and white, measuring about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 mm) in length.

While the infected person sleeps, female pinworms lay thousands of eggs in the folds of the skin surrounding the anus. Most people infected with pinworms have no symptoms, but some people experience anal itching and restless sleep.

The infection occurs most often in school-age children, and small (microscopic) eggs are easily spread from one child to another. The treatment consists of oral drugs that kill the pinworms, and a wash of pyjamas, and bed linen and underwear. For best results, the entire family should be treated.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the infection can include:

  • Itching of the anal or vaginal area
  • Insomnia, irritability, gnashing of teeth and the restless
  • Occasional stomach pain and nausea

Pinworms often does not cause symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you have severe itching in the anus, especially at night.

Causes

Accidentally swallowing or breathing in eggs of pinworms cause of an infection. Small (microscopic) of the eggs can be carried to the mouth by the contamination of food, drink, or fingers. Once ingested, the eggs hatch in the intestine and mature into adult worms within a couple of weeks.

Pinworms female move it 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 the nails. The eggs are then transferred to other surfaces, such as toys, bedding, clothing, or toilet seat. The eggs can also be transferred from contaminated fingers food, liquids, clothes or other people.

The eggs can survive for two to three weeks on surfaces.

Risk factors

Risk factors for infection include:

  • Be young. Parasitic infections are more likely to occur in children 5 to 10. Small (microscopic) eggs are easily spread to family members, caregivers, or other children at school or in child care centers. Parasitic infections are rare in children under 2 years of age.
  • Living in tight spaces. People living in institutions who are at higher risk of development of parasitic infections.

Complications

Typical of parasitic infections do not cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of the female genital organs.

The parasite can travel from the anus to the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes and around the pelvic organs. This can cause problems such as inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis), and inflammation of the inner layer of the uterus (endometritis).

Although rare, other complications of the infection can include:

  • Urinary tract infections
  • Weight loss
  • The infection of the part of the abdomen (peritoneal cavity)

Prevention

Pinworm eggs can cling to surfaces, including toys, water faucets, bed linen and toilet seats, for two weeks. So, in addition to regular cleaning of surfaces, methods to help prevent the spread of pinworm eggs, or to prevent re-infection, which include:

  • Wash in the morning. Due to pinworms lay their eggs at night, wash the anal area in the morning can help reduce the number of pinworm eggs in your body. The shower can help prevent possible re-contamination in the water of the bath.
  • Change of underwear and bed linen daily. This helps to remove the eggs.
  • Wash in hot water. Wash sheets, pajamas, underwear, towels, and towels in hot water to help kill the eggs of pinworms. Dry on high heat.
  • Do not scratch. Avoid the scratching of the anal area. Clipping the nails of your child so that there is less space for the eggs to collect. Encourage your child to avoid biting your nails.
  • Wash your hands. To reduce your risk of getting or spreading an infection, wash your hands well after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before eating.

Pinworm infection

Diagnosis

Your doctor can confirm the presence of pinworms through the identification of the worms or eggs.

To help your doctor make a diagnosis, you can perform the tape test. As soon as the person you suspect has pinworms wakes up and before he or she uses the toilet, washes or gets dressed, press the adhesive side of a piece of transparent tape to the skin around the anus. The eggs stick to the tape.

To get the best results, perform the tape test three days in a row, and then take pieces of tape to your doctor. Your doctor can look at the tape under a microscope to see if there are eggs of pinworms.

Treatment

To treat the 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 have mild gastrointestinal side effects during the course of treatment, and who often have to take at least two doses to get rid of the worms completely.

Preparing for your appointment

What you can do

When you call to make an appointment, ask about the conduct of the trial of the tape. The test is to press the adhesive side of a piece of transparent tape to the skin around the anus of the person you suspect has pinworms, as soon as the person wakes up. The eggs stick to the tape.

Then, take the tape to your appointment so the doctor can look for pinworms or eggs under a microscope.

Prepare a list of questions can help you make the most of your time with your doctor. To avoid infection, some basic questions to ask include:

  • If I don't have pinworm infection, what are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • If a member of the family has pinworms, which means the entire family should be treated?
  • How can I rid my house of pinworms?
  • How can I prevent reinfection?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask a number of questions during your appointment, including:

  • When did the itching to start?
  • It occurs mostly in the night?
  • There is something that makes the symptoms better or worse?
  • What other family members have similar symptoms?
  • Do you know if you or your child has had contact with someone who has pinworms?
  • Have you found any dead worms in pajamas, underwear or in the toilet?

What you can do in the meantime

If you have itching in your anus, try not to scratch.

Symptoms and treatment of the infection