Anul worms. Anal Worms: Comprehensive Guide to Treatment, Prevention, and Medical Consultation

04.10.202317.07.2023 by alexxlab

What are anal worms and how do they spread. How can you identify and treat pinworm infections. When should you consult a doctor for anal worms. What preventive measures can be taken against pinworm infestations.

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Understanding Anal Worms: Types and Characteristics

Anal worms, also known as pinworms, are small, thread-like parasites that infect the human intestinal tract. These tiny invaders, measuring about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 millimeters) in length, are white in color and can be visible to the naked eye. Pinworms are the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the United States and are prevalent worldwide.

Are all anal worms the same? While there are various types of intestinal parasites, pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) are the primary culprits behind anal worm infections. These parasites specifically target humans and cannot grow or reproduce in other animals.

Key Characteristics of Pinworms:

Size: Approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch long
Color: White
Shape: Thin and thread-like
Habitat: Human intestinal tract
Reproduction: Lay eggs in the anal area

The Life Cycle of Pinworms: From Infection to Transmission

Understanding the life cycle of pinworms is crucial for effective prevention and treatment. How do these parasites survive and spread? The process involves several stages, from egg ingestion to adult worm development.

Stages of Pinworm Infection:

Ingestion of eggs
Hatching in the small intestine
Migration to the large intestine
Maturation into adult worms
Mating and egg production
Female worms laying eggs around the anus

How long can pinworm eggs survive outside the body? Surprisingly, these resilient eggs can remain viable for 2 to 3 weeks in the environment. They can be found in house dust, on toilet seats, bed linens, toys, and play areas both indoors and outdoors.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Pinworm Infections

Recognizing the signs of a pinworm infection is essential for prompt treatment. While some individuals may be asymptomatic, others experience noticeable discomfort. What are the telltale signs of a pinworm infestation?

Common Symptoms:

Anal itching, especially at night
Restless sleep
Irritability due to sleep disturbances
Visible worms in stool or around the anal area
Vaginal itching in females (if worms migrate to the vagina)

How can pinworm infections be diagnosed? The most effective method is the tape test. This simple procedure involves pressing the sticky side of clear tape against the anal area in the morning before bathing or using the toilet. The tape is then examined for the presence of eggs or worms.

Treatment Options for Pinworm Infections

Once diagnosed, pinworm infections can be effectively treated with medication. What are the available treatment options for anal worms?

Prescription Medications:

Albendazole
Mebendazole
Pyrantel pamoate

Treatment typically involves two doses of medication, with the second dose administered two weeks after the first. This regimen helps eliminate both adult worms and newly hatched larvae. Is a single dose sufficient? In most cases, a two-dose treatment is recommended to ensure complete eradication of the infection.

It’s important to note that all family members and close contacts should be treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection. Additionally, over-the-counter antihistamines may be recommended to alleviate itching during treatment.

Preventing Pinworm Reinfection and Transmission

Preventing reinfection and transmission of pinworms is crucial for long-term success. What measures can be taken to break the cycle of infection?

Key Preventive Strategies:

Frequent hand washing, especially before meals and after using the toilet
Keeping fingernails short and clean
Daily bathing or showering, particularly in the morning
Changing and washing bedding, underwear, and clothing daily
Avoiding sharing personal items like towels or washcloths
Regular cleaning and disinfection of household surfaces and toys
Thorough washing of raw fruits and vegetables before consumption

How long should these preventive measures be maintained? It’s recommended to continue these practices for at least two weeks after completing treatment to ensure all eggs have been eliminated from the environment.

Environmental Control: Minimizing Pinworm Egg Survival

Controlling the environment is crucial in preventing pinworm reinfection. How can you reduce the survival of pinworm eggs in your home?

Effective Environmental Control Measures:

Daily vacuuming of carpets and floors
Washing vacuum cleaner bags or canisters after each use
Using hot water and detergent for washing bedding and clothing
Avoiding shaking contaminated items to prevent airborne dispersion of eggs
Regular disinfection of bathroom surfaces, especially toilet seats
Sealing and disposing of vacuum cleaner bags promptly

Can pets contribute to pinworm transmission? While pinworms only grow in humans, pets can carry eggs in their fur. Regular grooming and hygiene for pets can help minimize this risk.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Pinworm Infections

While pinworm infections are generally harmless, there are instances when medical attention is necessary. Under what circumstances should you consult a doctor?

Reasons to Seek Medical Care:

Visible presence of worms in stool or around the anal area
Persistent anal itching lasting more than one week
Redness or tenderness of the skin around the anus
Symptoms persisting after completing treatment
Recurrent infections despite preventive measures
Suspicion of pinworm infection in children under two years old

Is professional medical advice always necessary for pinworm infections? While over-the-counter treatments are available, consulting a healthcare provider ensures proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment, especially for severe or recurrent cases.

Special Considerations for Pinworm Infections in Children

Pinworm infections are particularly common among school-age children. What special considerations should be taken for managing and preventing pinworm infections in children?

Key Points for Pinworm Management in Children:

Age-appropriate education on proper hygiene practices
Regular inspection of children’s anal area for signs of infection
Encouraging children to avoid scratching and nail-biting
Ensuring proper hand washing after play and before meals
Notifying schools or childcare centers about the infection
Monitoring for behavioral changes or sleep disturbances

When can a child return to school after pinworm treatment? Generally, children can return to school or childcare 24 hours after starting treatment, provided they maintain good hygiene practices.

Managing pinworm infections in children requires patience and consistency. By implementing thorough hygiene practices and following treatment protocols, parents and caregivers can effectively control and prevent pinworm infestations in children.

In conclusion, while anal worms or pinworms can be a bothersome and persistent problem, they are manageable with proper treatment and prevention strategies. By understanding the life cycle of these parasites, recognizing symptoms, and implementing comprehensive hygiene and environmental control measures, individuals and families can effectively combat pinworm infections. Remember, prompt treatment and consistent preventive practices are key to breaking the cycle of infection and maintaining a pinworm-free environment.

Treatment, Prevention and When to See a Doctor

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Pinworms are small white worms about 1/2 inch long and as thin as a thread. They can sometimes be seen in and around the child’s bottom (anus) and in bowel movements. These worms live in the intestine. The adult female worm crawls out of the infected person’s anus at night and lays her eggs in the surrounding skin. This causes itching and scratching. The worms can also move to the vagina of a female child and cause itching.

Eggs can live for 2 to 3 weeks outside the body. They can be found in house dust, on toilet seats, bed linens and toys and in play areas in or outside the home. Although pinworms only grow in humans, the eggs can be carried in a pet’s fur.

Pinworms are harmless but annoying. They spread easily to others.

How the Infection is Spread

When the child scratches, tiny eggs are picked up on the fingers. The eggs are left on any surface that is touched. They are then picked up again and swallowed when fingers, foods or anything that has eggs on it, are put in the mouth.

How Pinworms Are Diagnosed

You have to see the eggs or worms to make the diagnosis. The best way to do this is by doing a tape test. In the morning, before your child goes to the bathroom or washes up, put the sticky side of a piece of clear tape around the anus. Remove the tape and look for pinworms or their eggs. You can also buy a tape test kit at the pharmacy. If you do not find pinworms, do the tape test 2 more mornings in a row, to be sure.

How to Treat the Infection

Your child’s doctor will prescribe a special medicine to treat pinworm infection.The dose is based on the person’s weight.Usually 2 doses of the medicine are ordered.The second dose starts 2 weeks after the first.
Read the label on the bottle of medicine to know how to give it.
Your child’s doctor will also treat other family members and close contacts with the same medicine, at the same time.

How to Prevent Reinfection or Spreading Pinworms to Others

It is easy to be reinfected with pinworms or spread them to others. During treatment and for 2 weeks after treatment is finished, do the following:

Hand washing is most important.Have your child and all family members wash their hands often.They should wash before meals or eating, after using the toilet and after scratching (Picture 1). This is a good habit to do at all times.
Keep your child’s fingernails clean and cut as short as possible.
Teach your child to avoid touching his mouth or biting his fingernails.
Have your child shower or bathe every morning.
Do not let children bathe together or share items.
Clean the anus with soap and water after each bowel movement.Use clean washcloths or paper towels each time.
Scrub the toilet seat daily with disinfectant or soap and water (Picture 2).
Wipe down any toys that your child usually puts in his mouth or hard surfaces that he has touched with disinfectant or soap and water.
Change bed linens and put clean underwear and clothes on every day.Avoid shaking these things so that eggs are not put into the air.
Promptly wash used bed linen, all clothing, towels and washcloths in hot water with detergent.
Vacuum carpets and floors well.Wash the canister or change the vacuum cleaner’s bag after each use.Seal the bag before throwing it away.
Wash any raw vegetables or fruits thoroughly before eating.
Call your child’s school or childcare center so that they can take extra steps to prevent the spread to others.Your child can return to school or childcare 24 hours after treatment.

When to Call Your Child’s Doctor

If you see pinworms
If anal itching lasts more than 1 week
If the skin around the anus becomes red or tender

Pinworms: Treatment and Prevention (PDF)

Pinworm infection – Symptoms & causes

Overview

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

Pinworm

An adult pinworm generally is 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 millimeters) in length. The most common symptom of infection is anal itching, particularly at night, as worms migrate to the host’s anal area to lay their eggs.

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

Pinworm infection occurs most often in school-age children, and the tiny (microscopic) eggs are easily spread from child to child. Treatment involves oral drugs that kill the pinworms and thorough washing of pajamas, bedding and underwear. For best results, the entire family should be treated.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of pinworm infection may include:

Itching of the anal or vaginal area
Insomnia, irritability, teeth grinding and restlessness
Occasional stomach pain and nausea

Pinworms often cause no symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you have severe anal itching, especially at night.

Causes

Accidentally swallowing or breathing in pinworm eggs causes a pinworm infection. The tiny (microscopic) eggs can be carried to your mouth by contaminated food, drink or your fingers. Once swallowed, the eggs hatch in the intestines and mature into adult worms within a few weeks.

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.

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

Risk factors

Risk factors for pinworm infection include:

Being young. Pinworm infections are most likely to occur in children ages 5 to 10. The tiny (microscopic) eggs are easily spread to family members, caregivers, or other children at school or child care centers. Pinworm infections are uncommon in children younger than age 2.
Living in crowded spaces. People who live in institutions are at higher risk of developing pinworm infections.

Complications

Typical pinworm infections don’t cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of female genitals.

The parasite can travel from the anal area up 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 lining of the uterus (endometritis).

Although rare, other complications of a pinworm infection may include:

Urinary tract infections
Weight loss
Infection of part of the abdomen (peritoneal cavity)

Prevention

Pinworm eggs can cling to surfaces, including toys, faucets, bedding and toilet seats, for two weeks. So besides regular cleaning of surfaces, methods to help prevent the spread of pinworm eggs or to prevent reinfection include:

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. Avoid scratching the anal area. Trim your child’s fingernails so there’s less space for eggs to collect. Suggest that your child avoid biting his or her nails.
Wash your hands. To reduce your risk of getting or spreading an infection, wash your hands well after using the toilet or changing a diaper and before eating.

Annelids

Annelids (Annelida), the type of the most highly organized worms. In general, they are divided by partitions into segments, which correspond to the outer ringing; hence the name of the type – “annelids”. Metamerism (segmentation) of the internal organs – the nervous, excretory and circulatory systems – is associated with body segmentation. Thanks to septa, the annelida, when damaged, loses the contents of only a few segments of the body. Generally absent or simplified in some leeches and archiannelids. There are over 12 thousand species.

Sizes from 1 mm (Neotenotrocha) to 2-3 m (Eunice). The body is annular, with several to several hundred segments. The skin-muscular sac consists of a non-shedding cuticle, skin epithelium, longitudinal and annular muscles. The second, after segmentation, characteristic feature of annelids is the presence on their body of chitinous bristles growing from the cuticle. Each segment may have primitive limbs (parapodia) – lateral outgrowths equipped with setae and sometimes gills. Locomotion is accomplished by muscle contraction in some species and parapodial movements in others.

The secondary cavity of the body (coelom) is filled with coelomic fluid, which acts as the internal environment of the body. In general, a relatively constant biochemical regime is maintained and many functions of the body (transport, excretory, sexual, musculoskeletal) are carried out.

Digestive tract through. The intestine consists of three functionally different sections: the anterior, middle and hindgut. Some species have salivary glands. The anterior and posterior sections are ectodermal, and the middle section of the digestive system is endodermal in origin.

In most species, the circulatory system is closed, it is based on the dorsal and abdominal vessels, connected by annular vessels that resemble arteries and veins. Depending on the type of respiratory pigments, some annelids have red blood, while others have colorless or green blood. Respiration is cutaneous, in marine species – with the help of gills on parapodia. Excretory organs are paired metanephridia in each segment. The nervous system is composed of a large ganglion – the brain, from which the abdominal nerve chain departs. Each segment has its own nerve node. The sense organs are most developed in polychaete worms and are represented: on the head – by eyes, organs of touch and chemical sense; on the body – sensitive cells.

Annelids are dioecious, some (earthworms, leeches) have secondarily developed hermaphroditism. Fertilization can occur both in the external environment and in the body. Development in polychaete worms occurs with a larva – a trochophore, in the rest – direct.

They live all over the world, in the sea, in fresh water and on land. There are species – ectoparasites and mutualists. Some annelids are blood-sucking, there are active and passive predators, scavengers and filter feeders. However, annelides, which process the soil, are of the greatest ecological importance; these include many low-bristle worms and even leeches. From 50 to 500 worms per m² can live in the soil, which loosen and aerate the soil.

Particularly diverse are marine forms that occur at different depths up to the limit (up to 10-11 km) and in all latitudes of the World Ocean. They play a significant role in marine biocenoses and have a high density of settlements: up to 500-600 thousand per 1 m² of the bottom surface. They occupy an important position in the food chains of marine ecosystems.

Biology Type Annelids. Class Polychaete worms

The group of animals – worms, as you know, is divided into types: Flatworms, Roundworms and Annelids.

All listed types of worms have their own structural features, lifestyle and life processes.

Some of these features are even reflected in the type name.

For example, the name of the type Annelids is associated with the division of their body into rings – segments. Their body is segmented. Each segment is an independent compartment.

Let’s get acquainted with other signs of this group of animals.

Type Annelids are divided into classes: Polychaete worms, Small bristle worms, Leeches.

These are three-layered animals.

Annelids have bilateral body symmetry.

In representatives of this type, for the first time, a secondary body cavity appears – the coelom, which is lined with its own epithelial cells. The whole is formed from the mesoderm – the third germ layer.

Whole filled with coelomic fluid acting as a hydroskeleton.

In addition, the coelomic fluid is involved in the transfer of nutrients, the accumulation and removal of unwanted substances and reproductive products.

An important feature of the internal structure of annelids is the appearance of a circulatory system.

The type of circulatory system is closed.

For the first time muscle cells appear in the digestive tract.

Metanephridia appear in the excretory system.

Organs of movement appear – parapodia.

These characters are common to representatives of different classes of the phylum Annelids.

Let’s continue our acquaintance with annelids or annelids, with representatives of the class Polychaetes, or Polychaetes.

About 7 thousand species of polychaete worms are known.

The representatives of this class include crawling nereids, burrowing sandworms, and a sitting serpula worm.

Most species of Polychaete annelids are sea dwellers, but there are also species that live in fresh waters and in terrestrial-air environments.

Like other representatives of the type, the body of Polychaete annelids is segmented, and the number of segments is from 5 to 800.

Head and anal lobes present.

On the head section are appendages – tentacles, palps and antennae, as well as eyes and statocysts.

Movable parapodia covered with setae are located on the trunk segments of the body.

The parapodium consists of two parts: the dorsal branch (notopodium) and the ventral branch (neuropodium). In the bundle of setae of the dorsal and ventral branches there is a supporting seta, the atsikula.

The body cover of the worms is represented by a skin-muscular sac.

The dermal-muscular sac of Polychaete worms consists of a cuticle, a single layer of integumentary epithelium, annular and longitudinal muscles, and coelomic epithelium.

In sessile forms, for example, in the serpula, the body is covered with sheaths, enclosed in a tube formed by secretions of the integumentary epithelium.

In the structure of the nervous system of polychaete annelids, progressive features are observed in comparison with flatworms and roundworms.

The peripharyngeal ring of the nervous system is characterized by a high level of development. The supraesophageal ganglion is called the brain. The nerves from it go to the eyes, tentacles, palps and antennae.

Polychaete worms have a nodal nervous system.

The nodal nervous system of the polychaete annelids consists of the peripharyngeal nerve ring and the ventral nerve cord.

The digestive system of roundworms consists of the anterior, middle and hindgut.

This feature in the structure of the digestive system is also characteristic of Polychaete worms.

The mouth is located on the ventral side. The mouth leads to the anterior intestine, which consists of the pharynx and esophagus.

The midgut is a straight tube.

The hindgut ends with an anus.

The appearance of a circulatory system in annelids is a progressive feature. The circulatory system is closed and consists of vessels: dorsal, abdominal, annular and peripheral vessels extending from the annular vessels.

The movement of blood occurs in the dorsal vessel from the posterior end of the body to the anterior.

Further passes into the annular vessels, and then enters the abdominal vessel.

Through the abdominal vessel, blood moves from the anterior end of the body to the posterior.

The blood of polychaete worms contains hemoglobin and is therefore red.

In the respiratory system of polychaete worms there is a distinctive feature – the appearance of a respiratory apparatus – gills. The appearance of gills is associated with a change in the dorsal antennae. The gills are permeated with blood vessels.

In addition, the skin of polychaete worms is permeated with blood vessels that provide skin respiration.

The excretory system of polychaete annelids is more complex and progressive in structure compared to flatworms and roundworms.

This is due to the appearance of metanephridia in them. Metanephridium consists of a through excretory canal, opening at one end into the body cavity, and at the other into the environment.

The excretory canal begins with a nephrostomy – a funnel that narrows into a tube.

The tube is lined with cilia.

Polychaetes are characterized by a good development of the sense organs.

The eyes of many polychaete worms are complex.

The organs of touch are represented by sensitive cells located in the skin, on the palps, tentacles and antennae.

Organs of chemical sense located on palps.

Balance organs – statocysts – vesicles with otolith.

Polychaetes, unlike representatives of other classes of annelids, are dioecious animals.

Fertilization occurs in the external environment – water.

Fertilized eggs turn into a free-swimming larva – a trochophore.

The larva undergoes a change – metamorphosis, and after a while sinks to the bottom and turns into an adult.

In the polychaete worm palolo during the mating season, in autumn, an interesting phenomenon can be observed.