What are the signs of a pinworm infection. How do pinworms spread. Who is most at risk for pinworms. How are pinworm infections diagnosed and treated. Can pinworm infections cause serious complications. What preventive measures help avoid pinworm infections.

Understanding Pinworm Infections: An Overview

Pinworm infections are intestinal illnesses caused by small, thin, pin-shaped worms that inhabit the human colon and rectum. Also known as threadworms, these parasites measure about one-quarter to one-half inch in length, comparable to the size of a staple. While pinworm infections are prevalent, particularly among elementary school-aged children, they often go unnoticed due to a lack of symptoms in many cases.

Female pinworms are responsible for the spread of the infection. During the night, they emerge from the intestine through the anus and deposit their eggs on the surrounding skin. This nocturnal activity is the primary reason why anal itching, especially at night, is one of the most common symptoms of a pinworm infection.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Pinworm Infections

Although many individuals with pinworm infections remain asymptomatic, some may experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms. These can include:

• Intense anal itching, particularly at night
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Vaginal itching (if adult worms migrate to the vaginal area)
• Irritability
• Intermittent abdominal pain

Are these symptoms always indicative of a pinworm infection? Not necessarily. However, if you or your child experiences severe anal itching, especially during the night, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.

The Transmission and Spread of Pinworms

Pinworm infections are highly contagious and can spread rapidly, particularly in close-knit communities such as schools, daycare centers, and families. The primary mode of transmission is through the accidental ingestion or inhalation of pinworm eggs.

How exactly does this occur? There are several ways:

• Consuming contaminated food or drink
• Touching surfaces or objects harboring pinworm eggs and then placing fingers in the mouth
• Direct contact with an infected person’s unwashed hands

Once ingested, the eggs hatch in the intestines approximately a month later, developing into adult worms. Female pinworms then migrate to the anal area to lay their eggs, perpetuating the cycle of infection.

Identifying Risk Factors for Pinworm Infections

While anyone can contract a pinworm infection, certain factors increase the likelihood of infection. These risk factors include:

1. Age: Children between 5-10 years old are particularly susceptible
2. Living environment: Close contact with young children or residing in crowded spaces like hospitals or correctional facilities
3. Personal habits: Thumb-sucking or nail-biting
4. Hygiene practices: Inadequate hand washing

Do these risk factors guarantee a pinworm infection? No, but they significantly increase the chances of contracting one. Understanding these risk factors can help individuals and communities take appropriate preventive measures.

Diagnosing Pinworm Infections: The Tape Test

If you suspect a pinworm infection, your healthcare provider may recommend a simple diagnostic procedure known as the tape test. This non-invasive method involves pressing a piece of clear adhesive tape against the skin around the anus, preferably first thing in the morning before using the bathroom or bathing.

How is the tape test conducted? Follow these steps:

1. Apply the tape to the anal area immediately upon waking
2. Repeat the process for three consecutive days
3. Submit all tape samples to your healthcare provider

The doctor will examine the tape under a microscope to check for the presence of pinworm eggs. This method is highly effective in confirming a pinworm infection, as female worms typically lay their eggs during the night.

Treatment Options for Pinworm Infections

Once diagnosed, pinworm infections are typically treated with antiparasitic medications. These drugs work by eliminating the worms from the intestinal tract. Common treatment options include:

• Albendazole (Albenza)
• Mebendazole (Emverm)
• Pyrantel pamoate (Reese’s Pinworm Medication, Pin-X) – available over-the-counter

How many doses are required to eliminate pinworms? Generally, at least two doses are necessary to completely eradicate the infection. It’s important to note that these medications may cause mild stomach discomfort as a side effect.

To prevent reinfection and ensure effective treatment, healthcare providers often recommend treating all household members simultaneously, including caretakers. This comprehensive approach helps break the cycle of infection within a family or close community.

Potential Complications of Pinworm Infections

While pinworm infections are generally harmless and easily treatable, in rare cases, they can lead to more serious complications. These may include:

• Vulvovaginitis: Inflammation of the vagina due to pinworm migration
• Bacterial infections: Resulting from scratching the anal area
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Appendicitis
• Abdominal infections
• Weight loss

Are these complications common? No, they are relatively rare. However, it’s crucial to seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment.

Preventing Pinworm Infections: Hygiene and Environmental Measures

Prevention is key in managing pinworm infections. Since pinworm eggs can survive on hard surfaces, clothing, and bedding for up to 2-3 weeks, it’s essential to maintain stringent hygiene practices and environmental cleanliness. Here are some effective preventive measures:

1. Practice proper hand hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before handling food
2. Maintain personal cleanliness: Shower in the morning to remove eggs, and avoid sharing towels during treatment and for two weeks after
3. Regular cleaning of living spaces: Change and wash bedding, underwear, and pajamas in hot water daily during treatment
4. Nail care: Keep nails short and discourage nail-biting to minimize egg accumulation
5. Avoid scratching: Educate children about the importance of not scratching the anal area

How effective are these preventive measures? When consistently applied, these practices can significantly reduce the risk of pinworm infections and prevent their spread within households and communities.

The Role of Education in Pinworm Prevention

Education plays a crucial role in preventing pinworm infections. By raising awareness about the transmission, symptoms, and prevention of pinworms, communities can work together to reduce infection rates. Schools, daycare centers, and healthcare providers can contribute to this effort by:

• Providing informational materials to parents and caregivers
• Implementing hand-washing programs in schools and childcare facilities
• Encouraging open communication about pinworm infections to reduce stigma

Can education alone prevent all pinworm infections? While education is a powerful tool, it must be combined with consistent hygiene practices and prompt treatment of infections to be truly effective.

Long-term Management of Pinworm Infections

For individuals or families prone to recurrent pinworm infections, long-term management strategies may be necessary. These can include:

1. Regular screenings, especially for school-aged children
2. Maintaining a strict hygiene routine even after treatment
3. Periodic preventive treatment as recommended by healthcare providers
4. Addressing underlying risk factors, such as improving living conditions in crowded environments

Is long-term management always necessary? Not for everyone, but for those with recurring infections or high-risk environments, it can be an effective approach to breaking the cycle of reinfection.

The Impact of Pinworm Infections on Quality of Life

While pinworm infections are generally not severe, they can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, particularly for children. The persistent itching and discomfort can lead to:

• Sleep disturbances
• Decreased concentration in school or work
• Emotional distress or embarrassment
• Social isolation due to fear of spreading the infection

How can these impacts be mitigated? Prompt diagnosis, effective treatment, and open communication can help minimize the negative effects of pinworm infections on daily life.

Pinworms in Special Populations

While pinworm infections can affect anyone, certain populations may require special consideration:

1. Pregnant women: Some anti-pinworm medications may not be suitable during pregnancy
2. Immunocompromised individuals: May be at higher risk for complications
3. Elderly persons in care facilities: May have difficulty maintaining personal hygiene
4. Individuals with developmental disabilities: May need additional support in prevention and treatment

How should these special populations be managed? Healthcare providers should tailor treatment and prevention strategies to meet the unique needs of these groups, ensuring safe and effective management of pinworm infections.

The Economic Burden of Pinworm Infections

While often overlooked, pinworm infections can have economic implications, including:

• Healthcare costs for diagnosis and treatment
• Lost productivity due to illness or caring for infected family members
• Expenses related to prevention measures and environmental cleaning

Are these economic impacts significant on a broader scale? While individual cases may not be costly, the high prevalence of pinworm infections, especially in school-aged children, can lead to cumulative economic effects on communities and healthcare systems.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Pinworm Management

As with many areas of medicine, research into pinworm infections continues to evolve. Some areas of current interest include:

1. Development of new, more effective anti-parasitic treatments
2. Improved diagnostic techniques for faster and more accurate detection
3. Understanding the potential role of pinworms in the human microbiome
4. Exploring links between pinworm infections and other health conditions

What potential breakthroughs might we see in pinworm management? While it’s difficult to predict specific outcomes, ongoing research may lead to more targeted treatments, better prevention strategies, and a deeper understanding of the long-term health impacts of pinworm infections.

Global Perspectives on Pinworm Infections

While pinworm infections are common worldwide, their prevalence and management can vary significantly between regions due to factors such as:

• Differences in hygiene practices and sanitation infrastructure
• Varying levels of healthcare access and public health education
• Cultural attitudes towards parasitic infections
• Climate and environmental factors that may influence pinworm survival and transmission

How do these global differences impact pinworm control efforts? Understanding these variations is crucial for developing effective, culturally appropriate strategies for managing pinworm infections on a global scale.

The Role of Technology in Pinworm Prevention and Management

Advancements in technology are increasingly being applied to the field of parasitology, including pinworm management. Some innovative approaches include:

1. Mobile apps for tracking symptoms and medication schedules
2. AI-powered image analysis for more accurate diagnosis
3. Smart devices to promote better hand hygiene habits
4. Data analytics for predicting outbreaks and targeting prevention efforts

Can technology significantly improve pinworm management? While traditional hygiene practices remain crucial, these technological advancements have the potential to enhance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Psychological Aspects of Pinworm Infections

The psychological impact of pinworm infections, particularly on children and their families, is an often overlooked aspect of the condition. Some psychological considerations include:

• Anxiety and stress related to the infection and its symptoms
• Feelings of shame or embarrassment, especially in school-aged children
• Frustration with recurrent infections
• Impact on family dynamics and relationships

How can healthcare providers address these psychological aspects? A holistic approach to pinworm management should include emotional support, education to reduce stigma, and strategies to cope with the psychological challenges associated with the infection.

Pinworms and Public Health Policy

Given the prevalence of pinworm infections, particularly in children, public health policies play a crucial role in management and prevention. Key policy considerations include:

1. Guidelines for screening and treatment in schools and daycare centers
2. Public health education campaigns to raise awareness
3. Policies on over-the-counter availability of anti-pinworm medications
4. Integration of pinworm prevention into broader public health initiatives

How effective are current public health policies in managing pinworm infections? While policies vary by region, a comprehensive public health approach that combines education, prevention, and accessible treatment can significantly reduce the burden of pinworm infections in communities.

Symptoms, Causes, Tape Test, Treatment

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on September 02, 2022

• What Is a Pinworm Infection?
• Pinworm Infection Symptoms
• Causes of Pinworm Infection
• Pinworm Infection Risk Factors
• Pinworm Infection Diagnosis
• Treatment for Pinworm Infection
• Complications of Pinworms
• Prevention of Pinworms
• More

A pinworm infection is an intestinal illness that’s very common in elementary school-aged children. Pinworms are small, thin, pin-shaped worms that sometimes live in the human colon and rectum. They’re also called threadworms. They’re about one-quarter to one-half inch long — about the size of a staple. The females do their work while you sleep: They leave the intestine through your anus and deposit their eggs on the surrounding skin.

Most people who are infected don’t have symptoms. If you do, they might include:

• Anal itching, especially at night
• Restless sleep
• Itching in the vaginal area — if adult worms move to your vagina
• Feeling irritable
• Abdominal pain that comes and goes

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

You get pinworms by accidentally swallowing or breathing in their eggs. You could eat or drink something that’s contaminated with them and not know it. The eggs can also live on surfaces like clothing, bedding, or other objects. If you touch one of these items and then put your fingers in your mouth, you’ll swallow the eggs.

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. If you touch other surfaces or objects, you could spread the worms.

Are they contagious?

Yes. It’s very easy to spread a pinworm infection. 

Anyone can get a pinworm infection. It’s the most common kind of worm infection in the United States. But it’s more likely if:

• You’re between the ages of 5-10. 
• You live with or take care of small children.
• You live in a crowded space, like a hospital or jail.  
• You suck your thumb or bite your nails.
• You don’t wash your hands.

If you, your child, or someone in your household has symptoms of pinworm infection, call the doctor and ask about the tape test. Simply take a clear piece of tape and press the sticky side to the skin around the anus. Do this as soon as you or your child wakes up — before you use the bathroom, shower, or get dressed. The pinworm eggs will stick to the tape.

You’ll need to repeat this test 3 days in a row, then take all the pieces of tape to your doctor. They’ll look at them under a microscope to check for the eggs.

You’ll need to take medications that kill the worms. Options include:

• Albendazole (Albenza)
• Mebendazole (Emverm)
• Pyrantel pamoate (Reese’s Pinworm Medication, Pin-X). Available over the counter.

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. For best results, treat the infected person and everyone in your house (including caretakers) at the same time.

Most of the time, pinworm infections don’t cause serious problems. In rare cases, and especially if you have a lot of them, the pinworms can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and around the pelvic organs. This can cause inflammation of the vagina — what doctors call vulvovaginitis. 

Other rare complications include:

• Bacterial infection from scratching the anal area
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Appendicitis
• Abdominal infection
• Weight loss

Pinworm eggs can live on hard surfaces and in clothes and bedding for 2 to 3 weeks. In addition to your regular household cleaning, you’ll want to take these steps to stop the spread:

• Pinworms lay their eggs at night. Wash your anal area in the morning to reduce the number of eggs on your body. Shower to prevent possible recontamination in bath water.
• Don’t bathe with anyone or share towels during treatment and for 2 weeks after final treatment.
• Change your underwear and bed linens each day. This helps remove eggs.
• Wash bedsheets, nightclothes, underwear, washcloths, and towels in hot water to kill pinworm eggs. Dry them 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.

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Symptoms, Causes, Tape Test, Treatment

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on September 02, 2022

• What Is a Pinworm Infection?
• Pinworm Infection Symptoms
• Causes of Pinworm Infection
• Pinworm Infection Risk Factors
• Pinworm Infection Diagnosis
• Treatment for Pinworm Infection
• Complications of Pinworms
• Prevention of Pinworms
• More

A pinworm infection is an intestinal illness that’s very common in elementary school-aged children. Pinworms are small, thin, pin-shaped worms that sometimes live in the human colon and rectum. They’re also called threadworms. They’re about one-quarter to one-half inch long — about the size of a staple. The females do their work while you sleep: They leave the intestine through your anus and deposit their eggs on the surrounding skin.

Most people who are infected don’t have symptoms. If you do, they might include:

• Anal itching, especially at night
• Restless sleep
• Itching in the vaginal area — if adult worms move to your vagina
• Feeling irritable
• Abdominal pain that comes and goes

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

You get pinworms by accidentally swallowing or breathing in their eggs. You could eat or drink something that’s contaminated with them and not know it. The eggs can also live on surfaces like clothing, bedding, or other objects. If you touch one of these items and then put your fingers in your mouth, you’ll swallow the eggs.

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. If you touch other surfaces or objects, you could spread the worms.

Are they contagious?

Yes. It’s very easy to spread a pinworm infection. 

Anyone can get a pinworm infection. It’s the most common kind of worm infection in the United States. But it’s more likely if:

• You’re between the ages of 5-10. 
• You live with or take care of small children.
• You live in a crowded space, like a hospital or jail. 
• You suck your thumb or bite your nails.
• You don’t wash your hands.

If you, your child, or someone in your household has symptoms of pinworm infection, call the doctor and ask about the tape test. Simply take a clear piece of tape and press the sticky side to the skin around the anus. Do this as soon as you or your child wakes up — before you use the bathroom, shower, or get dressed. The pinworm eggs will stick to the tape.

You’ll need to repeat this test 3 days in a row, then take all the pieces of tape to your doctor. They’ll look at them under a microscope to check for the eggs.

You’ll need to take medications that kill the worms. Options include:

• Albendazole (Albenza)
• Mebendazole (Emverm)
• Pyrantel pamoate (Reese’s Pinworm Medication, Pin-X). Available over the counter.

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. For best results, treat the infected person and everyone in your house (including caretakers) at the same time.

Most of the time, pinworm infections don’t cause serious problems. In rare cases, and especially if you have a lot of them, the pinworms can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and around the pelvic organs. This can cause inflammation of the vagina — what doctors call vulvovaginitis. 

Other rare complications include:

• Bacterial infection from scratching the anal area
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Appendicitis
• Abdominal infection
• Weight loss

Pinworm eggs can live on hard surfaces and in clothes and bedding for 2 to 3 weeks. In addition to your regular household cleaning, you’ll want to take these steps to stop the spread:

• Pinworms lay their eggs at night. Wash your anal area in the morning to reduce the number of eggs on your body. Shower to prevent possible recontamination in bath water.
• Don’t bathe with anyone or share towels during treatment and for 2 weeks after final treatment.
• Change your underwear and bed linens each day. This helps remove eggs.
• Wash bedsheets, nightclothes, underwear, washcloths, and towels in hot water to kill pinworm eggs. Dry them 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.

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How dangerous are pinworms?

What are pinworms?

The pinworm is a nematode that is medically called Enterobius vermicularis. It is a round worm that is small, thin and white. The length of the pin is usually comparable to the length of the paper clip. The longest pinworms can reach about half an inch.

Although medically known as Enterobius vermicularis, this worm is commonly referred to as the pinworm because the female worm resembles a pin.

What is pinworm infection?

Pinworm infection is considered the most common type of human intestinal infection. In addition, pinworm infestation is also the most common type of helminth infestation worldwide.

Pinworms most often affect children aged 5 to 10 years, as well as those who live in closed institutions or have frequent contact with these institutions.

How are pinworms transmitted?

The size of the pinworms makes them impossible to detect and they can infect a variety of surfaces you may come across.

Pinworm transmission occurs easily among people living in rural areas, and pinworm infection is common among families with small children.

The transmission of pinworms starts from the so-called fecal-oral route. In other words, pinworm eggs can pass from a person’s anus into another person’s mouth. While it’s hard to imagine something like this, it could happen quite easily. Of course, this does not happen directly, but is easily done due to poor hygiene (for example, not washing hands after going to the toilet). Pinworm eggs can be easily transmitted through contaminated bedding, food, or any other items that are used daily.

While the infected person is sleeping, the pinworms are believed to come out and lay their eggs on the layer of skin around the anus. Pinworm eggs are ready to start infection within a couple of hours after they are placed outside the intestines. In addition, pinworm eggs can live up to three weeks on the skin of the anus or any other infested objects or objects.

In most cases, people become infected unconsciously. The eggs could easily reach the fingers or mouth of the next victim, for example through contaminated clothing or bedding.

The considerably small size of pinworm eggs allows them to be airborne in some situations as well. Pinworm eggs can be assimilated from the most unexpected places on your body or any other objects or surfaces.

In addition, if your child is showing symptoms of a pinworm infection, or if he or she has already been diagnosed with this type of infection, there is a good chance that you are also infected.

People usually assume that swimming pools are the biggest source of pinworm outbreaks. You should be informed that this information is not entirely accurate. Of course, there are many people who swim without hygiene, and the chances of contaminating the water are high. But in order to become infected with the same pinworm eggs that another person left in the water, you need to touch the very particles of water through which the infected person swam. The chances of this happening are pretty slim considering the pool water needs to be recirculated. So there is a small chance of getting pinworms when you get home from the pool, but the chances are very low.

Also, your pets are not able to infect you with pinworms. Pinworms are specific to humans. Pets are not suitable hosts for pinworms.

Who is at risk of getting pinworms?

Anyone can become infected with pinworms. As we have already emphasized, the transmission of pinworm eggs is very likely, especially in crowded households with children.

Easy transmission makes pinworm infection the most common type of helminthic infection worldwide and in all socioeconomic strata.

However, some categories of people are more likely than others to become infected with pinworm eggs. These are people at risk:

• Children, especially those who go to school;
• Children who constantly put their fingers in their mouths;
• Children and adults who do not practice proper hand hygiene; for example, those who eat without washing their hands are highly susceptible to infection;
• Adults and other family members in close contact with an infected child;
• Institutionalized persons.

Pinworm symptoms

The symptoms of pinworm infestation can be experienced differently by different people. Some people may not have any characteristic symptoms.

Symptoms associated with pinworm infection are usually mild and are caused by a female pinworm that is laying eggs.

So you may be suspected of being infected if you or your child has the following symptoms of this type of infection:

• Severe discomfort around the anus;
• Inability to sleep due to anal discomfort;
• Severe itching and irritation of the skin around the anus;
• The appearance of pinworms in the feces.

Pinworm complications

Although pinworm infection is usually associated with mild symptoms and in some cases no symptoms, it can sometimes lead to more serious health complications. Keep in mind that the health complications that can occur after a pinworm infection are rare, but possible nonetheless.

In very rare cases, pinworm infection can lead to a urinary tract infection in women, but only if the pinworm infection is left untreated.

Another possible risk for women exposed to pinworms is that the worms themselves can pass from the anus into the vagina and seriously damage the uterus, fallopian tubes, or other organs of the female reproductive system. Thus, in women, pinworm infection can lead to a vaginal infection (vaginitis) or inflammation of the lining of the uterus.

If pinworms begin to multiply significantly in your body, you may begin to feel severe pain in your abdomen.

In addition, an increase in the number of pinworms can lead to weight loss, since they can eat most of the nutrients from your body.

Diagnosis of pinworms

The doctor suspects a pinworm infection mainly on the basis of severe nocturnal itching around the anus.

In addition to the detection of pinworms in the stool, the diagnosis of pinworm infestation also consists in the detection of pinworm eggs. They can be found on underwear or other clothing that comes into direct contact with the skin on the back of the body.

The procedure for detecting pinworm eggs is called the “tape test”. When a person suspected of being infected with pinworms wakes up, the test should be started immediately. The reason it is very important to take the test as soon as a person wakes up in the morning is because any activity such as showering, going to the toilet, or even changing clothes can remove any existing eggs from the perineal area and the test results will be incorrect.

This specific test consists of gently applying a sticky piece of transparent tape to the skin around the anus. Existing pinworm eggs, if any, should attach to the tape.

To improve the accuracy of the tape test, a person with a suspected infection, be it you or your child, should do this test 3 times in a row in the morning.

Because of severe itching in the anal area, which leads to scratching, it may be useful to take samples for a “tape test” from under the nails.

Sometimes pinworm eggs can also be found in urine or stool samples.

Treatment of pinworm infection

Treatment requires a visit to the doctor, as you need to get advice on this.

Depending on the severity of the pinworm infection, it can be treated with either over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Treatment consists of 2 or even 3 (in severe cases) doses of drugs, the purpose of which is to cleanse the intestines. The second and third doses are supposed to be administered one week apart from the previous dose.

Since the transmission of pinworm eggs is very easy, all family members and those who are in close contact are also required to start treatment.

Unconsciously, other family members may also be infected, and treatment of only the first patient in the household may not be effective and re-infection may occur. Thus, during the treatment of a pinworm infection, it is important to maintain a very high level of hygiene, which includes hand washing, clean and short nails. This period also consists of preventive behaviors such as avoiding anal scratching or nail biting.

Treatment of pinworm infection also includes frequent change of underwear, this is done to remove a large number of pinworm eggs.

It is also important to take a shower instead of a bath. While taking a bath, there is a risk of re-infection with the same pinworm eggs that were deposited on your anal area. Another tip is to carefully handle all garments, objects, or surfaces that you touch during treatment. Also, all clothing, underwear, or bedding should be washed in hot water, especially after taking a certain pinworm medication.

Medicine for pinworms

After you have noticed pinworms in your stool and discussed it with your doctor, you will most likely try some oral medications to get rid of the infection and associated symptoms. The drugs known to be most effective in controlling pinworms are anthelmintics such as:

• Vermox – Mebendazole;
• Albenza – albendazole;
• Riza – pyrantela pamoat.

The treatment for pinworm infection is 2-3 doses of medication. Each dose should be taken one week apart from the previous one.

Home remedies for pinworms

Medication may not be the only way to deal with pinworms. Although not enough research has been done to confirm or refute the effectiveness of home remedies, some believe that these methods may be helpful.

Although you should not replace your healthcare provider’s treatment plan with home remedies, you can try adding raw garlic, raw carrots, or coconut oil to your medications to help eliminate pinworms from your intestines.

Also, you should really be aware that the same home remedy can have different results in different people. So, if someone strongly recommends a method for dealing with pinworms, it may not work for you. Also, you should avoid home remedies if you suffer from allergies. Ingredients can cause an allergic reaction that will make you suffer more than a pinworm infection. If you just don’t know if you’re allergic to the home remedy ingredients, you can put some of the solution you’re about to prepare on your skin beforehand. If you notice any allergic reaction, stop taking the home remedy.

Raw garlic home remedy is said to kill all eggs and also prevent female pinworms from laying other eggs on the skin around the anus.

Raw Garlic can be prepared to treat pinworm infection either by mouth or applied to the skin as an ointment. To prepare raw garlic for ingestion, you should cut it into cubes and spread it on bread. Alternatively, you can consume raw garlic on its own.

But if you want to cure a pinworm infection with raw garlic ointment, you need to mash the garlic. Garlic paste also needs to be mixed with petroleum jelly. Next, you will have to dip the Q-tip directly into the paste. Then, with a cotton swab, gently apply the garlic paste to the skin around the anus.

If the skin around your anus is sensitive, or there are other inflammations, or if you also suffer from hemorrhoids, this treatment is definitely not recommended for you.

Coconut oil by itself can improve the situation if you suffer from pinworms. To cure a pinworm infection with coconut oil, you will have to drink about 0.33 ml daily in the morning and also apply some coconut oil around the anus in the evening.

People who prefer to treat pinworm infections with natural ingredients also find Raw Carrots a good remedy for removing pinworms from the digestive system. Fiber-rich foods are generally thought to improve digestion and stimulate intestinal motility, so eating carrots at least twice a day should help you get rid of pinworms.

Pinworm prevention

Although pinworm eggs are easy to become infected because they can be found on a variety of surfaces and sometimes even airborne, infection can still be prevented.

Because pinworm eggs can survive on surfaces for up to 3 weeks before finding a new host, it is really important to regularly clean surfaces that are used daily. In fact, you should keep your home tidy by regularly cleaning surfaces, clothing, and other items.

So you should:

• Wash in the morning, as pinworms are known to lay their eggs at night in the anal area of ​​an infected person. So, first thing in the morning, in order to definitely reduce the number of pinworm eggs from your body, you need to wash. A very good tip is to prefer a shower to a bath, as while bathing there is a chance that you will become infected again.
• Change bedding and underwear daily.
• Wash all your clothes, sheets, pajamas, underwear or towels in hot water. After washing, dry all items at high temperature. This procedure should eliminate most of the pinworm eggs.
• Avoid scratching the anal area, as this is where pinworm eggs are laid. In addition, you can trim your/your child’s nails to reduce the chance of pinworm eggs underneath.
• Avoid biting your nails and keeping your hand away from your mouth.
• Wash your hands frequently. Washing your hands after going to the bathroom or changing your baby’s diaper can prevent pinworm eggs. Also, always wash your hands before eating.

Can pinworms re-infest?

As you have already learned from this article, the transfer of eggs, as well as infection with pinworms, is very simple. Re-infection can only occur in 3 cases:

• The original source of pinworm infection has not been effectively treated and the treatment must be repeated;
• The actual source of infection is not actually identified and treated;
• Eggs deposited on the skin around the anus can develop into pinworm larvae and re-infect the intestines from which they primarily originated.

If you and your family and loved ones resume medical treatment for pinworm eggs and it still doesn’t work, there is an infected surface or infected person that you don’t think is the source of the infection. Look carefully and you will most likely determine the cause of the re-infection.

Conclusions

Pinworms are small, white and thin roundworms that live in the intestines of their human hosts. Their length is comparable to the length of a paper clip, and the name comes from the pin-like tail of the female worm.

The transmission of pinworm eggs is based on the route of transmission from the anus to the mouth. Although it is very hard to imagine that small eggs, viruses or germs from the anus can enter the mouth of another person, it does happen, both directly and indirectly. Pinworm eggs are tiny and can only be seen under a microscope.

Easy transmission of pinworm eggs makes the infection easily tolerated. Pinworm eggs can be unwittingly aspirated by anyone, anywhere.

Diagnosis of pinworm infestation requires a “tape test”, which is the application of a strip of transparent tape to the skin around the anus, the purpose of which is to adhere most of the pinworm eggs, if any, and place them under a microscope.

Infection with pinworms requires medical treatment and special attention not only to personal hygiene, but also to the hygiene of all households, to the process of washing all objects, clothes, surfaces that are used.

Medication consists of some specific medicines to be taken once a week for a maximum of 3 weeks. These medicines are designed to cleanse the intestines.

If left untreated, pinworm infestation can lead to some complications that predominantly affect women.

Although pinworms are not painful and do not usually lead to other health complications, they are more bothersome than dangerous.

Pinworms

Pinworms – one of the most common intestinal helminths.

Pinworms are tiny parasitic nematodes (2-14 mm) that live in the intestines and lay their eggs on the skin around the anus.

Pinworm infection is also known as “enterobiasis”.

The disease most often occurs in children aged 5 to 10 years.

A person becomes infected by ingesting helminth eggs.

In the intestines, larvae emerge from the eggs, which parasitize in the lower parts of the small intestine, and in the large intestine they turn into an adult.

At night, a mature female leaves the anus and lays eggs on the skin in the folds of skin around the anus, perineum, buttocks lays eggs (from 2 to 15 thousand).

After 4-5 hours, the eggs become “invasive” (infectious) for humans, because. during this time, larvae mature in eggs.

If an infected person touches household items such as bedding, clothing, toilet seat or toys, the eggs are transferred to those items.

Eggs can also be transferred from contaminated fingers directly to food.

Although rare, adults can also inhale airborne eggs by shaking contaminated bedding, towels, or clothing.

The causative agent of enterobiasis is resistant to various disinfectants. On toys, bedding, carpets and other household items, the causative agent of enterobiasis remains viable for up to 21 days, on environmental objects – in the upper soil layers of playgrounds, sand from sandboxes – up to 14 days, in tap and waste water – up to 7 days. The stability of pinworm eggs in the external environment increases as they mature. At a temperature of plus 22-28 ° C and a decrease in humidity to 60%, pinworm eggs remain viable for up to 8 days.

Who is at risk of getting enterobiasis?

Pinworms affect people of all ages, enterobiasis is ubiquitous.

Most susceptible to infection:

• children attending organized institutions (especially kindergartens, camps)
• family members or carers of those infected
• people living in public institutions such as hostels
• people who do not follow the rules of personal hygiene, namely regular and thorough hand washing before eating
• children who have a habit of thumb sucking, nail biting

Is it possible to get pinworms from pets?

No, the only source of infection is man.

Symptoms of enterobiasis:

• Itching, scratching accompanying the crawling of pinworms on the skin
• Scratching the skin provokes the spread of pinworm eggs and re-infection, as a result of which the disease can last for a long time. Eggs can survive for hours on hands, under fingernails.
• Allergic reaction, rash
• Irritability, tearfulness, restless sleep
• Presence of pinworms in feces

Some people with enterobiasis may not experience any symptoms.

The danger of enterobiasis lies in the fact that pinworms that parasitize in the human intestine produce toxins – waste products that cause intoxication of the body. Pinworms, parasitizing on the mucosa, injure it, which can lead to the addition of a secondary fungal or bacterial infection.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of a laboratory test.

Treatment is prescribed by a doctor.

Children infested with pinworms, which are sources of the spread of enterobiasis, are not allowed into preschool educational institutions for the period of treatment and control laboratory examination.

In addition to following the doctor’s recommendations, it is necessary to prevent the spread of infection and the risk of re-infection.

Washing your hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before eating is the most effective way to prevent pinworm infection.

Parents are advised to ensure that children do not bite their nails.

Follow the rules of personal hygiene and change your underwear daily.

Infected people should not share bathing with other people.

Those infected should avoid taking baths. It is necessary to take a shower every morning.

Prevention of enterobiasis includes a set of measures:

• detection of patients (parasite carriers) with enterobiasis
• treatment of identified infested persons and prophylaxis of persons in contact with infested persons
• monitoring of the circulation of the enterobiasis agent in groups with an increased risk of infection

Disinfestation is carried out in the focus of infection:

• furniture and other surfaces are wiped with special disinfectants and disinfectants
• soft toys, upholstered furniture and carpets are treated with a vacuum cleaner, followed by dust disinfection.