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What is pinworm and how do you get it. Pinworm Infection: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Guide

What are pinworms. How do you get a pinworm infection. What are the symptoms of pinworms. How is pinworm infection diagnosed. How is pinworm infection treated. How can you prevent pinworm infection and reinfection.

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Understanding Pinworms: The Common Intestinal Parasite

Pinworms, scientifically known as Enterobius vermicularis, are tiny parasitic worms that can inhabit the human large intestine. These white, thread-like creatures measure approximately one-half inch in length and are notorious for causing discomfort, particularly in children. Despite their small size, pinworms can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, making it crucial to understand their nature, symptoms, and treatment options.

Pinworm infections are remarkably common, especially in the United States. They primarily affect school-age children, followed closely by preschoolers. The prevalence of these infections is particularly high in institutional settings such as schools and daycare centers, where close contact between children facilitates the spread of the parasites.

The Life Cycle of Pinworms

To fully comprehend the pinworm infection process, it’s essential to understand their life cycle. Female pinworms typically emerge from the anus during the night to lay their eggs on the surrounding skin. These eggs are encased in a sticky, jelly-like substance that, combined with the movement of the female worm, causes intense itching in the anal area.

Once the eggs are deposited, they can survive for up to two weeks in the environment if kept at room temperature. If ingested, the eggs hatch in the intestines, and the larvae migrate to the large intestine where they mature into adult worms. This process typically takes between two to six weeks.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Pinworm Infection

Identifying a pinworm infection early is crucial for prompt treatment and prevention of spread. While some individuals may be asymptomatic, others may experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms.

Common Symptoms

  • Intense itching around the anal area, particularly at night
  • Difficulty sleeping due to discomfort
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness

Severe Infection Symptoms

In cases of severe infection, additional symptoms may manifest:

  • Nervousness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Vaginal itching and irritation (vaginitis) in girls, if pinworms migrate to the vaginal area

Why do pinworm symptoms often worsen at night? This is because female pinworms typically emerge from the anus to lay eggs during nighttime hours, causing increased itching and discomfort.

Transmission of Pinworm Infection: How Does It Spread?

Understanding how pinworms spread is crucial for both prevention and control of infections. The transmission of pinworms primarily occurs through a fecal-oral route, meaning that eggs from an infected person’s stool somehow end up being ingested by another person.

Common Transmission Routes

  1. Direct contact: An infected person, often a child, scratches their bare anal area, getting eggs under their fingernails. If they then touch others or shared objects without washing their hands, the eggs can spread.
  2. Contaminated surfaces: Pinworm eggs can be transferred to clothing, bedding, or other surfaces, where they can survive for up to two weeks at room temperature.
  3. Airborne transmission: In some cases, eggs may become airborne and be inhaled.
  4. Food contamination: If eggs are deposited on food, they can be ingested when the food is consumed.

How long can pinworms survive outside the body? Pinworm eggs can remain viable for up to two weeks on clothing, bedding, or other objects if kept at room temperature. This extended survival period contributes to their ease of spread, especially in close-contact environments like homes and schools.

Diagnosing Pinworm Infection: Methods and Procedures

Accurate diagnosis of pinworm infection is crucial for effective treatment. Healthcare providers use several methods to confirm the presence of these parasites.

Visual Identification

In some cases, adult female worms can be seen around the anal area, especially at night. These worms are visible to the naked eye, appearing as small, white threads about one-quarter to one-half inch long.

The Tape Test

The most common diagnostic method for pinworm infection is the tape test. This involves the following steps:

  1. Upon waking, before using the bathroom or bathing, apply a piece of clear adhesive tape to the skin around the anus.
  2. Press the tape firmly against the skin to collect any eggs that may have been laid overnight.
  3. Carefully remove the tape and seal it in a clean plastic bag.
  4. Take the sample to a healthcare provider for microscopic examination.

Why is the tape test performed in the morning? Pinworm eggs are most likely to be present on the skin in the early morning, as female worms typically lay their eggs during the night. Bathing or having a bowel movement can remove the eggs, making later testing less effective.

Treatment Options for Pinworm Infection

Once diagnosed, pinworm infections can be effectively treated with medication. The treatment approach typically involves both pharmacological interventions and hygiene measures to prevent reinfection.

Medication

Treatment usually involves oral medication, which may be prescription or over-the-counter. Common antiparasitic drugs used for pinworm treatment include:

  • Mebendazole
  • Albendazole
  • Pyrantel pamoate

These medications are typically administered in two doses, with the second dose given two weeks after the first to ensure complete eradication of the parasites.

Treating the Household

To prevent reinfection, it’s crucial to treat the entire household environment. This includes:

  • Washing bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water daily
  • Vacuuming carpets and furniture thoroughly
  • Cleaning bathroom surfaces regularly
  • Keeping fingernails short and clean

Why is it important to treat all family members simultaneously? Pinworm infections often affect multiple family members due to the ease of transmission within close living quarters. Treating everyone at the same time reduces the risk of reinfection.

Preventing Pinworm Infection and Reinfection

Prevention is key in managing pinworm infections. By adopting good hygiene practices and making certain lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce the risk of contracting or spreading pinworms.

Essential Preventive Measures

  • Frequent hand washing, especially after using the bathroom and before eating
  • Keeping fingernails short and clean
  • Avoiding nail-biting and scratching the anal area
  • Regular bathing, with special attention to the anal area
  • Changing and washing underwear, pajamas, and bed linens frequently
  • Cleaning toilet seats and bathroom surfaces regularly

How long should preventive measures be maintained after treatment? It’s advisable to maintain strict hygiene practices for at least two weeks after completing treatment, as pinworm eggs can continue to be present in feces for up to a week post-treatment.

The Impact of Pinworm Infections on Public Health

While often considered a minor health issue, pinworm infections can have broader implications for public health, particularly in institutional settings like schools and daycare centers.

Prevalence and Epidemiology

Pinworm infections are the most common worm infections in the United States, with school-age children being the most affected group. The ease of transmission in close-contact environments contributes to their prevalence in educational and childcare settings.

Economic Impact

The economic burden of pinworm infections extends beyond the cost of treatment. It includes factors such as:

  • Lost productivity due to children missing school
  • Parents taking time off work to care for infected children
  • Costs associated with preventive measures in schools and daycare centers

How do pinworm infections affect school attendance? Infected children may miss school due to discomfort or to prevent spreading the infection. This can lead to educational disruptions and increased absenteeism rates in affected communities.

Psychological Effects

The psychological impact of pinworm infections should not be underestimated. Affected individuals, particularly children, may experience:

  • Embarrassment or social stigma
  • Anxiety related to the symptoms and treatment process
  • Sleep disturbances due to itching and discomfort

These psychological effects can have a significant impact on a child’s social interactions and overall well-being.

Myths and Misconceptions About Pinworm Infections

Despite the prevalence of pinworm infections, there are many misconceptions surrounding this condition. Addressing these myths is crucial for promoting accurate understanding and appropriate management of pinworm infections.

Common Myths

  1. Myth: Pinworms are a sign of poor hygiene.
    Reality: While good hygiene helps prevent spread, anyone can contract pinworms regardless of cleanliness.
  2. Myth: Pinworms can be contracted from pets.
    Reality: Pinworms are species-specific and do not infect or spread from animals to humans.
  3. Myth: Pinworm infections always cause visible symptoms.
    Reality: Some individuals may be asymptomatic carriers, unknowingly spreading the infection.
  4. Myth: Once treated, you can’t get pinworms again.
    Reality: Reinfection is common, especially in household settings, necessitating ongoing preventive measures.

Why is it important to dispel these myths? Accurate information is crucial for effective prevention and treatment of pinworm infections. Misconceptions can lead to stigmatization, ineffective prevention strategies, and delayed treatment.

The Role of Education in Prevention

Education plays a vital role in preventing the spread of pinworm infections. Key areas of focus include:

  • Teaching proper hand hygiene to children and adults
  • Raising awareness about the transmission routes of pinworms
  • Promoting regular cleaning and hygiene practices in schools and daycare centers
  • Encouraging open communication about pinworm infections to reduce stigma

By addressing these myths and promoting accurate information, communities can more effectively manage and prevent pinworm infections.

Pinworms in Special Populations: Considerations and Challenges

While pinworm infections can affect anyone, certain populations may face unique challenges in diagnosis, treatment, or prevention. Understanding these special considerations is crucial for effective management of pinworm infections across diverse groups.

Infants and Toddlers

Diagnosing and treating pinworm infections in very young children can be challenging:

  • Infants may not be able to communicate discomfort or itching
  • Administering oral medication to young children may be difficult
  • Strict hygiene measures may be harder to implement with diaper-wearing children

Immunocompromised Individuals

People with weakened immune systems may be at higher risk for more severe infections:

  • Symptoms may be more pronounced or atypical
  • Treatment may need to be more aggressive or prolonged
  • Prevention measures may need to be more stringent

Pregnant Women

Special considerations for pregnant women with pinworm infections include:

  • Some anti-parasitic medications may not be safe during pregnancy
  • Alternative treatment strategies may need to be explored
  • Close monitoring for potential complications is essential

How do treatment approaches differ for these special populations? Treatment for these groups often requires a more tailored approach, considering factors such as age, immune status, and potential risks. Healthcare providers may need to adjust dosages, choose alternative medications, or implement additional preventive measures to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Institutional Settings

Managing pinworm infections in institutional settings like nursing homes or long-term care facilities presents unique challenges:

  • Higher risk of rapid spread due to close living quarters
  • Potential difficulties in implementing hygiene measures for residents with cognitive or physical limitations
  • Need for staff education and strict infection control protocols

By recognizing and addressing the specific needs of these populations, healthcare providers and caregivers can ensure more effective management of pinworm infections across diverse groups.

Pinworm Infection

Last Reviewed: October 2011

What are pinworms?

Pinworms are white, parasitic worms that can live in the large intestine of humans. They are about one-half inch long. While the infected person sleeps, female pinworms leave the intestinal tract and lay their eggs on the skin around the anus. The eggs are laid in a sticky, jelly-like substance that, along with the wriggling of the female pinworm, causes severe itching.

Who gets pinworm infection?

Pinworm is the most common worm infection in the United States. School-age children, followed by preschoolers, have the highest rates of infection. Cases of pinworm infection are seen most often at schools, daycare centers and other institutional settings.

What are the symptoms of a pinworm infection?

Pinworm infection may cause:

  • Itching around the anal area, difficulty sleeping and irritability.
  • If it is a severe infection, symptoms may include:
    • nervousness
    • restlessness
    • loss of appetite
    • weight loss
    • girls may experience vaginal itching and irritation (vaginitis), if pinworms are near the vagina.

How does someone get pinworms?

Pinworms are spread when an infected person, most often a child, has scratched his/her bare anal area and the eggs get under his/her fingernails. Pinworms can then be spread in the following ways:

  • By an infected child not washing hands after using the bathroom. If the child then touches playmates or toys, he/she may pass on the eggs.
  • Pinworm eggs can also be transferred to the fingers from clothing or bedding, and then spread around the home.
  • Eggs may be inhaled from the air or deposited onto food and swallowed.
  • Pinworms can survive up to two weeks on clothing, bedding or other objects, if kept at room temperature.

The eggs may hatch while still attached to the skin around the anus. They then move through the rectum to the lower intestine, where they grow to adult size within two to six weeks. Pinworm infections can be spread as long as either worms or eggs are present.

How is a diagnosis of pinworm infection made?

Finding the female worm or the eggs confirms the diagnosis of pinworms. To find a female worm:

  • At night, the adult worms can sometimes be seen directly around the anal area or in pajamas. The worm (one-quarter to one-half inch long) is clearly visible to the naked eye. Finding a worm confirms the diagnosis.
  • If adult worms are not visible, conduct a tape test in the morning. Apply a piece of transparent tape against the folds of skin around the anus to pick up any eggs or worms. Seal in a plastic bag.
  • Take the tape to a health care provider. The eggs and worms caught on the tape can be identified under a microscope.

Pinworms are rarely spotted in stool samples. Because bathing or a bowel movement can remove the eggs, the tape test should be done as soon as the person wakes up in the morning.

How is a pinworm infection treated?

Treating pinworms involves either prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Consult a health care provider before treating a suspected pinworm infection. Follow these treatment steps:

Step 1: Treat the infected person/any infected family members

  1. The infected person should take the medicine orally. It is given in two doses. The second dose should be given two weeks after the first.
  2. Bathe first thing in the morning to reduce egg contamination.
  3. Wash hands and under the fingernails thoroughly, after using the bathroom, before eating and after changing diapers.
  4. Discourage nail biting and scratching bare anal areas to avoid re-infection.
  5. Keep fingernails trimmed very short.
  6. Infection often occurs in more than one family member. Treat all infected family members at the same time.

Step 2: Treat the household

  1. Change and wash underwear and pajamas in hot water daily.
  2. Machine-wash sheets, blankets, towels and clothing in hot water to destroy eggs. Machine-dry at high temperature.
  3. Eggs are sensitive to sunlight, so open blinds in bedrooms in the daytime.
  4. 4. Since pinworm eggs are light and scatter easily, dust should be removed carefully from all surfaces in the home. Careful vacuuming or the use of an oiled cloth (which may be boiled or destroyed later) will help prevent the eggs from scattering.

How can pinworm infection and reinfection be prevented?

  • Wash hands and under fingernails frequently.
  • Encourage children to avoid scratching their bare anal areas.
  • • Pinworm eggs continue to be present (excreted) in the feces of an infected person for up to a week after the treatment, so precautions should be taken to prevent reinfection by washing hands thoroughly, especially under the nails.
  • Bathe daily.
  • Change and wash clothing and bedding frequently.

What if the pinworm infection occurs again?

If infection occurs again, consult your health care provider. In some cases, it may be necessary to treat the patient and close family contacts more than once.

For more information contact your local health department or go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/pinworm/.

CDC – Enterobiasis – General Information

 

What is a pinworm?

A pinworm (“threadworm”) is a small, thin, white roundworm (nematode) called Enterobius vermicularis that sometimes lives in the colon and rectum of humans. Pinworms are about the length of a staple. While an infected person sleeps, female pinworms leave the intestine through the anus and deposit their eggs on the surrounding skin.

What are the symptoms of a pinworm infection?

Pinworm infection (called enterobiasis or oxyuriasis) causes itching around the anus which can lead to difficulty sleeping and restlessness. Symptoms are caused by the female pinworm laying her eggs. Symptoms of pinworm infection usually are mild and some infected people have no symptoms.

Who is at risk for pinworm infection?

Pinworm infection occurs worldwide and affects persons of all ages and socioeconomic levels. It is the most common worm infection in the United States. Pinworm infection occurs most commonly among

  • school-aged and preschool-aged children,
  • institutionalized persons, and
  • household members and caretakers of persons with pinworm infection.

Pinworm infection often occurs in more than one person in household and institutional settings. Child care centers often are the site of cases of pinworm infection.

How is pinworm infection spread?

Pinworm infection is spread by the fecal-oral route, that is by the transfer of infective pinworm eggs from the anus to someone’s mouth, either directly by hand or indirectly through contaminated clothing, bedding, food, or other articles.

Pinworm eggs become infective within a few hours after being deposited on the skin around the anus and can survive for 2 to 3 weeks on clothing, bedding, or other objects. People become infected, usually unknowingly, by swallowing (ingesting) infective pinworm eggs that are on fingers, under fingernails, or on clothing, bedding, and other contaminated objects and surfaces. Because of their small size, pinworm eggs sometimes can become airborne and ingested while breathing.

Can my family become infected with pinworms from swimming pools?

Pinworm infections are rarely spread through the use of swimming pools. Pinworm infections occur when a person swallows pinworm eggs picked up from contaminated surfaces or fingers. Although chlorine levels found in pools are not high enough to kill pinworm eggs, the presence of a small number of pinworm eggs in thousands of gallons of water (the amount typically found in pools) makes the chance of infection unlikely.

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My little kids like to co-bathe – could this be how they are becoming infected?

During this treatment time and two weeks after final treatment, it is a good idea to avoid co-bathing and the reuse or sharing of washcloths. Showering may be preferred to avoid possible contamination of bath water. Careful handling and frequent changing of underclothing, night clothes, towels, and bedding can help reduce infection, reinfection, and environmental contamination with pinworm eggs. These items should be laundered in hot water, especially after each treatment of the infected person and after each usage of washcloths until infection is cleared.

Did my pets give me pinworms / can I give pinworms to my pets?

No. Humans are considered to be the only hosts of E. vermicularis which is also known as the human pinworm.

How is pinworm infection diagnosed?

Itching during the night in a child’s perianal area strongly suggests pinworm infection. Diagnosis is made by identifying the worm or its eggs. Worms can sometimes be seen on the skin near the anus or on underclothing, pajamas, or sheets about 2 to 3 hours after falling asleep.

Pinworm eggs can be collected and examined using the “tape test” as soon as the person wakes up. This “test” is done by firmly pressing the adhesive side of clear, transparent cellophane tape to the skin around the anus. The eggs stick to the tape and the tape can be placed on a slide and looked at under a microscope. Because washing/bathing or having a bowel movement can remove eggs from the skin, this test should be done as soon as the person wakes up in the morning before they wash, bathe, go to the toilet, or get dressed. The “tape test” should be done on three consecutive mornings to increase the chance of finding pinworm eggs.

Because itching and scratching of the anal area is common in pinworm infection, samples taken from under the fingernails may also contain eggs. Pinworm eggs rarely are found in routine stool or urine samples.

How is pinworm infection treated?

Pinworm can be treated with either prescription or over-the-counter medications. A health care provider should be consulted before treating a suspected case of pinworm infection.

Treatment involves two doses of medication with the second dose being given 2 weeks after the first dose. All household contacts and caretakers of the infected person should be treated at the same time. Reinfection can occur easily so strict observance of good hand hygiene is essential (e.g. proper handwashing, maintaining clean short fingernails, avoiding nail biting, avoiding scratching the perianal area).

Daily morning bathing and daily changing of underwear helps removes a large proportion of eggs. Showering may be preferred to avoid possible contamination of bath water. Careful handling and frequent changing of underclothing, night clothes, towels, and bedding can help reduce infection, reinfection, and environmental contamination with pinworm eggs. These items should be laundered in hot water, especially after each treatment of the infected person and after each usage of washcloths until infection is cleared.

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Should family and other close contacts of someone with pinworm also be treated for pinworm?

Yes. The infected person and all household contacts and caretakers of the infected person should be treated at the same time.

What should be done if the pinworm infection occurs again?

Reinfection occurs easily. Prevention always should be discussed at the time of treatment. Good hand hygiene is the most effective means of prevention. If pinworm infection occurs again, the infected person should be retreated with the same two-dose treatment. The infected person’s household contacts and caretakers also should be treated. If pinworm infection continues to occur, the source of the infection should be sought and treated. Playmates, schoolmates, close contacts outside the home, and household members should be considered possible sources of infection. Each infected person should receive the recommended two-dose treatment.

How can pinworm infection and reinfection be prevented?

Strict observance of good hand hygiene is the most effective means of preventing pinworm infection. This includes washing hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling food. Keep fingernails clean and short, avoid fingernail-biting, and avoid scratching the skin in the perianal area. Teach children the importance of washing hands to prevent infection.

Daily morning bathing and changing of underclothes helps remove a large proportion of pinworm eggs and can help prevent infection and reinfection. Showering may be preferred to avoid possible contamination of bath water. Careful handling (avoid shaking) and frequent laundering of underclothes, night clothes, towels, and bed sheets using hot water also helps reduce the chance of infection and reinfection by reducing environmental contamination with eggs.

Control can be difficult in child care centers and schools because the rate of reinfection is high. In institutions, mass and simultaneous treatment, repeated in 2 weeks, can be effective. Hand hygiene is the most effective method of prevention. Trimming and scrubbing the fingernails and bathing after treatment is important to help prevent reinfection and spread of pinworms.

More on: Handwashing

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This information is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider. If you have any questions about the parasites described above or think that you may have a parasitic infection, consult a health care provider.

Pinworms: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Overview

What are pinworms?

Pinworms, also called threadworms, are parasitic worms that live in the intestines and rectums of infected people. Pinworms are small and thin (about ¼ inch to ½ inch long), and white or light gray.

What is a pinworm infection?

The pinworm infection is called enterobiasis. It is the most common type of worm infection in the United States. Although a pinworm infection does need to be treated, it usually doesn’t cause any serious medical problems.

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.

Day care centers, preschools, and schools are often the source of a pinworm infection. People who live in institutions are also commonly affected by pinworms.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of pinworm infections?

Symptoms of a pinworm infection (enterobiasis) include:

  • Anal itching, especially at night: Pinworms lay their eggs around the anus at night, causing itching and irritation. While symptoms are usually mild, anal itching can be severe.
  • Sleeplessness: Because anal itching is worse at night, people suffering from a pinworm infection can have trouble sleeping, which can lead to decreased concentration, tiredness and weight loss.
  • Vaginal itching: In females, symptoms can also include vaginal discharge (seepage) and itching in the vaginal area.

How do people get pinworms?

Pinworm infection occurs when someone swallows pinworm eggs, usually in the following manner:

  1. Pinworms lay their eggs on the skin around the anus of an infected person.
  2. When that person touches or scratches his or her anus, the eggs stick to the fingers and fingernails.
  3. The eggs are then transferred to surfaces and to other people, who swallow them when they touch their mouths.
  4. The eggs travel through the digestive system of the infected person and hatch in the intestines.
  5. Once hatched, the female pinworms make their way to the anus to lay their eggs.

Pinworm eggs can survive for 2-3 weeks on fingers, under fingernails, and on surfaces such as linens, clothing or toilet seats. The tiny eggs can only be seen under a microscope.

Can you get pinworms without being around an infected person?

Yes. A pinworm infection can also be spread through:

  • Bed sheets and undergarments: Eggs can spread through contact with contaminated sheets, towels or underwear of infected people.
  • Inhalation: Because the eggs are so tiny, they can travel through the air and inhaled. Once inhaled, they travel through the digestive tract, hatch and lay their own eggs.
  • Dogs and cats: While pinworms are usually transmitted from human to human, dogs and cats can carry the eggs on their fur and transfer them to humans.

Diagnosis and Tests

How are pinworms infections diagnosed?

If you or your child has anal itching that is worse at night, it’s important to see a doctor. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, especially anal itching at night. In addition, the doctor may ask you to collect the pinworm eggs using the “tape test.” To do this:

  • Place a clear piece of tape over the anal area as soon as the infected person wakes up in the morning. The eggs will stick to the tape.
  • Take the tape to the doctor, following your doctor’s directions. The eggs will be examined under a microscope.

It’s best to do the tape test as soon as the person wakes up, before bathing or using the bathroom. You should do the tape test a few times to get the most accurate results.

Another way to confirm a diagnosis is to see the pinworms. While the infected person is sleeping, mature pinworms make their way out of the rectum to lay their eggs around the anal opening.

Small, thin, grayish-white worms may be visible around the anus two-three hours after the person falls asleep. The worms look like little pieces of thread, which is why they are sometimes called threadworm. You can capture the worms using clear tape or let your doctor know that you saw them.

Management and Treatment

How are pinworms treated?

Pinworms are treated with an oral (taken by mouth) anti-parasitic medication that kills the worms. You will need to take one dose right away and another dose two weeks later to make sure all the worms are gone. To reduce the risk of re-infection, pediatricians recommend that the family members and caregivers of an infected child be treated, as well.

The medications used to treat pinworms are:

  • Pyrantel pamoate
  • Mebendazole
  • Albendazole

Pyrantel pamoate is the medication most commonly used to treat pinworms. It is available without a prescription (over-the-counter).

What are the side effects of treatment for pinworms?

Before using pyrantel pamoate, you should consult your doctor if you are pregnant or if the infected child is younger than 2 years old. Side effects of pyrantel pamoate include:

For all three medications, side effects include gastrointestinal upset.

What are the complications associated with pinworms?

While serious complications are rare, pinworms can lead to:

  • Bacterial infections: When the infected person scratches the anal area, the skin can bleed and become infected.
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs): In females, the worms can travel to the vagina and cause infections.
  • Gastrointestinal and abdominal problems: In rare cases, pinworms have been linked to appendicitis, diverticulitis (the growth of pouches in the large intestine), and inflammation of the vagina and the lining of the uterus.

What can I do to help relieve the symptoms of pinworm infections?

To relieve the itching, you can:

  • Wash the anal area with warm water and soap.
  • Use a 1% hydrocortisone cream on the skin around the anus.
  • Avoid scratching the area.

Prevention

How can I prevent pinworm infections?

The most effective way to prevent a pinworm infection is by practicing cleanliness in the following ways:

  • Wash your hands often: Using soap and warm water, wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, before handling food or touching your mouth or nose, and after petting a dog or cat. Make sure your children wash their hands, too.
  • Keep surfaces clean: Clean toys, counters, toilets, utensils, dishes and other surfaces frequently with soap and water to lower the risk of spreading the infection.
  • Shower often: People who have pinworms should shower every day to remove some of the eggs from the skin. Showering is more effective than bathing because bathwater can become contaminated with eggs. People who have pinworms should not bathe with others until the infection is gone.
  • Trim your fingernails: To avoid transferring the eggs, keep your fingernails clean and trimmed.
  • Avoid touching the anal area: Make sure children do not touch or scratch the affected area.
  • Wash sheets, towels and underclothes frequently: Wash linens every day until the treatment is complete. Be careful not to shake out the laundry before washing since eggs can scatter and spread infection.

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients who have pinworms?

With proper treatment, pinworms don’t cause long-term health problems. Children or families can have pinworm infections several times. If the symptoms return after treatment, you should go back to your doctor.

Living With

When should I call my doctor about pinworms?

If you or your child has anal itching that is worse at night, you should contact your doctor or your child’s pediatrician.

Pinworms | Caring for kids

What are pinworms?

Pinworms are tiny, white, thread-like worms that live in the rectum. The worms crawl out of the anus (bum) at night and lay their eggs on nearby skin. Pinworms can be uncomfortable but they do not cause disease. People who have pinworms aren’t dirty.  Children can get pinworms no matter how often they take a bath.

How common are pinworms?

They are very common in children and spread easily among children in child care. 

How do pinworms spread?

Directly: An infected person who scratches the itchy area can get pinworm eggs on the fingers or under the fingernails. If that person touches another person’s mouth, they will spread pinworms.

Indirectly: Eggs can get from an infected person onto objects, such as toys, toilet seats or baths, clothes or bedding. By sharing these objects, other people can pick up the eggs on their hands and then put them into their mouth.

Eggs can live for up to 2 weeks outside the body, on clothing, bedding or other objects.

What are the symptoms?

Usually children with pinworms have no symptoms. Some children get very itchy around the anus and vagina, especially at night. If the infection is bad, your child can lose sleep and become cranky.

What can parents do?

If you think your child has pinworms, contact your doctor. A simple test will check for pinworms. They can be treated with an oral medication that can take up to 2 weeks to work. Itching can continue for at least a week after taking the medication. Your doctor may give your child a second dose after 2 weeks.

Try to keep your child from scratching. Bathing your child in the morning will help get rid of many of the eggs. 

How can I prevent pinworms from spreading?

Pinworms can come back if your child comes into contact with pinworm eggs again. They can stay alive in your home for up to 2 to 3 weeks. 

  • Make sure everyone in your family washes their hands carefully after going to the toilet, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food.
  • Wash your bed linens and clothes. Don’t shake them because this can scatter the eggs.
  • Keep everyone’s fingernails short and avoid nail-biting.
  • The eggs are sensitive to sunlight. Open blinds or curtains in bedrooms during the day when your child isn’t sleeping.

More information from the CPS

Reviewed by the following CPS committees

  • Public Education Advisory Committee

Threadworms – Illnesses & conditions

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are tiny parasitic worms that infect the large intestine of humans.

Threadworms are a common type of worm infection in the UK, particularly in children under the age of 10.

The worms are white and look like small pieces of thread. You may notice them around your child’s bottom or in their poo.

They don’t always cause symptoms, but people often experience itchiness around their bottom or vagina. It can be worse at night and disturb sleep.

Read more about the symptoms of threadworms.

If you think you or your child may have threadworms, you can usually treat the infection yourself with medication available at pharmacies without a prescription.

You only need to see your GP if you think you have threadworms and you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you think your child has threadworms and they’re under 2 years old. In these circumstances, the recommended treatment is usually different.

Severe or persistent threadworm infections can cause:

  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • skin infection around the anus if bacteria enter any scratches caused by itching – wearing cotton gloves while sleeping may help prevent this
  • difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep (insomnia)
  • bedwetting

In such cases, you should seek further advice from your GP. In very rare cases, threadworms can spread outside the intestine to the urinary tract or liver, or the vagina or womb in girls or women.

How threadworms are spread

Threadworms lay their eggs around an infected person’s anus (bottom), usually at night. Along with the eggs, the worm also secretes a mucus that causes itching.

If the eggs get stuck on the person’s fingertips when they scratch, they can be transferred to their mouth or on to surfaces and clothes. If other people touch an infected surface, they can then transfer the eggs to their mouth.

Threadworm eggs can survive for up to 2 weeks before hatching. If the eggs hatch around the anus, the newborn worms can re-enter the bowel. Eggs that have been swallowed will hatch inside the intestine. After 2 weeks, the worms reach adult size and begin to reproduce, starting the cycle again.

Read more about what causes threadworms.

Treating threadworms

If you or your child has threadworms, everyone in your household will need to be treated as there’s a high risk of the infection spreading. This includes those who don’t have any symptoms of an infection.

For most people, treatment will involve taking a single dose of a medication called mebendazole to kill the worms. If necessary, another dose can be taken after 2 weeks.

During treatment and for a few weeks afterwards, it’s also important to follow strict hygiene measures to avoid spreading the threadworm eggs. This includes regularly vacuuming your house and thoroughly washing your bathroom and kitchen.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, hygiene measures are usually recommended without medication. This is also often the case for young children. 

Read more about treating threadworm infections.

Preventing threadworms

It’s not always possible to prevent a threadworm infection, but you can significantly reduce your risk by always maintaining good hygiene and encouraging children to do the same.

Children should wash their hands regularly, particularly after going to the toilet and before mealtimes. Kitchen and bathroom surfaces should be kept clean.  

If your child is infected, encouraging them not to scratch the affected area around their anus or vagina will help prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of the infection spreading to others.

Threadworms

What are threadworms?

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are tiny parasitic worms that can infect your large intestine. Threadworms are most commonly seen in children. Other worms that infect people’s intestinal tract, such as roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms, are uncommon in Australia.

How do you get threadworms?

You or your child can get threadworms by accidently swallowing worm eggs found on contaminated surfaces.

This can happen by scratching the anal region and then touching your mouth or food.

The eggs hatch in the large intestine and when the worm is ready to lay more, it leaves the intestine and lays eggs on the skin around a person’s anus (bottom), causing itchiness.

It may also happen by touching surfaces or objects that have threadworm eggs on them e.g. furniture, kitchen or bathroom surfaces, kitchen utensils or toothbrushes, and then touching your mouth or food.

Threadworms can survive for up to 2 weeks in the environment.

Signs and symptoms

  • Very itchy bottom (or vagina in girls).
  • Disturbed sleep because of itchiness.
  • Irritability due to disturbed sleep and discomfort of itchiness.
  • Evidence of worms (white threadlike specks) in faeces (poo).

How do I know if my child has threadworms?

  • Look for small white pieces of thread in your child’s poo.
  • You can also check your child’s bottom for small white pieces of thread. These are most likely seen 2 to 3 hours after the child is asleep. If you suspect your child is infected, you can also place transparent tape on the skin near the anus before your child goes to sleep, and check it for eggs first thing in the morning. If your child is infected, eggs should be visible, but may be better seen under a microscope.

Treatment

  • Threadworm treatments are available over the counter from your local pharmacy. Speak to your pharmacist about treatment options.
  • Treatment usually involves a single dose of syrup/pill for the infected person and each family member.

How can I stop the spread of threadworms?

  • Wash your hands frequently and scrub under your fingernails after going to the toilet and before eating food. Make sure your child does this too.
  • Keep your child’s and your own fingernails short.
  • Change bed linen, towels and underwear daily for several days after treatment.
  • Bedlinen and clothing should be machine-washed in hot water to ensure that all the eggs are killed.
  • Vacuum and dust the house, paying particular attention to the bedrooms on a regular basis.
  • Clean the bathroom and kitchen surfaces regularly.

Exclusion from school or day care

Exclusion is not necessary if your child has threadworms and is being treated. However, you are encouraged to let your child’s teacher know so other children may be checked for infection and prevent threadworm being spread further.

Where to get help

  • See your local pharmacist for advice
  • Ring your local child health nurse.
  • Visit a GP after hours.
  • Ring healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222.

Remember

​​Download the Threadworms fact sheet (PDF 233KB)

  • Threadworms are particularly common in children and are easily treated.
  • Infection is spread through worm eggs on contaminated surfaces.
  • Threadworms can be avoided by practicing good hygiene, such as washing your hands after going to the toilet and before eating food.
  • Wash all clothes, bed linen, towels and soft toys on a regular basis.

Acknowledgements

Public Health


This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

Disease Outbreak Control Division | Pinworm Disease

Pinworm Disease

Pinworm disease is a relatively common infection of the intestines by a parasitic worm called Enterobius vermicularis. Pinworms are about the length of a staple. The disease occurs most frequently in preschool-age and school-age children, and in mothers of infected children.

Life Cycle

Infection with pinworms usually causes itching around the anus, and irritability, often because of disrupted sleep. Some individuals with pinworm infection may not have any symptoms. Symptoms are caused by the female pinworm laying her eggs on the skin. After ingesting a pinworm egg, it takes about 1 to 2 months or longer for an egg to grow to an adult who can lay eggs around the anus.

You get the disease by ingesting (eating) pinworm eggs. The eggs travel to the intestines where they hatch and mature. The mature worms then travel to the anus, where they deposit a new batch of eggs, usually at night. Contamination of the hands, clothing, and bedding can take place at this time. Transmission occurs when the eggs are transferred to a person’s mouth, by hand from anus-to-mouth, or indirectly, by putting pinworm-contaminated items into the mouth.

 

There is no laboratory test available to diagnose a pinworm infection. Stool samples are not recommended because pinworm eggs and worms are not common in stool. There are three techniques to diagnose pinworm infections. The first is to look for the worms near the anus 2 to 3 hours after the infected person is asleep. The second is to touch the anus with clear tape first thing in the morning to possibly collect eggs. The eggs will be visible on the tape under a microscope. The tape test should be done on three consecutive mornings. The third option is to look at samples from under the fingernails with a microscope. An infected person could have picked up eggs from scratching.

Antiparasitic medications prescribed by a doctor are effective in pinworm infections. Household and intimate contacts may also require treatment. Reinfection is common and several treatments may be necessary if exposure to the parasite continues.

There is no immunity to pinworm infections. You may be re-infected if you are exposed again. It is also possible to re-infect yourself.

There are no statistics on how many people have been infected with pinworms in Hawaii. In the United States, children under 18, people who take care of infected children, and people who are institutionalized are the most at risk to becoming infected with pinworms.

  • Eliminate the source of infection by treating cases.
  • Wash the hands thoroughly before handling food or before eating.
  • Keep the fingernails short, discourage nail-biting, and avoid scratching the anal area.
  • Take early morning showers to help wash away any eggs deposited overnight around the anal area.
  • Change to clean underclothing, night clothes, and bed sheets daily, preferably after bathing. Take special care to avoid spreading eggs when changing bed sheets.
  • Vacuum the house, classroom, or workplace daily for several days after starting treatment of cases.

Pinworm – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Hawaii State Department of Health Pinworm Fact Sheet (PDF)

Pinworm (Enterobiasis) Resource for Healthcare Professionals (CDC)

 

Last reviewed July 2019

Enterobiasis – Symptoms, treatment – Medical reference AMK

Enterobiasis is a form of infectious helminthiasis. It is manifested by intestinal damage, allergies and itching of the anus.

Today it is the most common form of helminth infestation on the territory of Russia.

The development of the disease is caused by pinworms. These are small thin worms that settle in the intestines of a person and actively multiply there.

Typically, this infection affects children between the ages of 2 and 10. The peak of the disease occurs at 5 years of age.

Consult a pediatrician

Do not postpone treatment

The source of the disease is an infected person. Pinworm eggs settle on linen, toys and furniture, and are carried by insects. You can get infected through water, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and even simply inhaling dust.

Treatment of helminthiasis complicates drug resistance and a high probability of self-invasion. Therefore, doctors recommend that parents strictly monitor the child’s compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.

Symptoms of enterobiasis

The disease goes unnoticed for a long time. Some symptoms do not appear until two weeks after infection with pinworm eggs. The child may experience some discomfort in the form of itching. But, as a rule, the laying of eggs on the skin around the anus occurs at night and the parents do not notice the baby’s anxiety.

If at the initial stage of the disease is not treated, it progresses and the itching becomes constant and very severe.

It is possible to suspect an infection with helminths by a change in the nature of the child’s behavior. Appetite may change – or it will increase or be absent altogether, the baby may be bothered by abdominal pain. The invasion can cause vomiting, nausea and sleep disturbance.

Sometimes symptoms of enterobiasis can be a prolonged cough, manifestation of allergies, dry skin and even an unreasonable runny nose.

Enterobiasis treatment

For the treatment of enterobiasis, children are prescribed modern anthelmintic drugs (mebendazole, pyrantel). They have a paralytic effect on parasites and prevent them from sticking to the intestines. Medicines are not absorbed into the bloodstream, but only work in the intestines. Thus, it is possible to avoid the development of allergies to the components of the tablets.

In the treatment of enterobiasis, it is necessary to restore the intestinal microflora. For this, babies are often prescribed bifidumbacterin.

It is imperative to re-analyze after the end of the course of treatment. If therapy does not work, it is repeated, doubling the dose of the drug. Recently, repeated courses are rarely required. Modern medicines are able to cope with parasites the first time.

It should be borne in mind that taking pills without observing the rules of personal hygiene does not give results. Helminth eggs again enter the intestines from surrounding objects. To achieve the effect, thorough disinfection of bed linen, toys, cutlery and other personal items is required.

Parents, brothers and sisters of the child must undergo compulsory preventive treatment of enterobiasis. If the baby attends a kindergarten or school, a quarantine is declared, a thorough disinfection of the premises is carried out, and preventive treatment of all contact persons is carried out.

Compulsory sanitary and hygienic measures in the house include:

  • boiling bed linen;
  • thorough ironing of bed linen on both sides;
  • cleaning with disinfectants;
  • careful processing of door handles;
  • complete disinfection of the toilet, bathroom and hallway;
  • disinfection of all toys;
  • wet cleaning of carpets.

All these activities must be carried out twice – at the beginning of treatment and two weeks later.

Sign up to get tested: scraping for enterobiasis

Do not postpone treatment

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  • A team of professionals. Candidates and doctors of medical sciences, professors and associate professors of departments of leading universities, doctors of the first and highest qualification categories work in the clinic 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.We work without holidays and days off to keep you healthy and happy.
  • Regular professional development. Each doctor regularly undergoes refresher courses, attends seminars, goes on internships, participates in conferences, and is trained abroad. This helps to keep the qualifications of doctors at the highest level. Today, AMK doctors’ training allows them to train young doctors, acting as experts at European level seminars.
  • Advanced technologies. We regularly invest not only in training and professional development of personnel, but also in the acquisition of the most modern equipment from leading European manufacturers.
  • The value of time. The American Medical Clinic has all the conditions for a comfortable comprehensive examination and diagnosis of a patient on the day of treatment.
  • Customer confidence. For 25 years of impeccable work, more than 500,000 patients have entrusted their health to us. More than 80% of patients recommend us to their family and friends.
  • Warranties. We are 100% responsible for the quality of the services provided, the high level of which is confirmed by many years of experience. The attention and sensitive attitude of doctors with more than ten years of experience in medical practice give a stable positive result.

See also:

90,000 Prevention of enterobiasis in families

Published: 29.09.2015


The causative agent of the disease is a small round worm – a pinworm.

Source – person. Pinworms parasitize in the human intestine, but
crawl out to lay eggs. The female lays eggs on the skin around the anus, genital
organs, thighs, buttocks. After 4 – 6 hours, the eggs of pinworms ripen, the patient
becomes contagious to others and to oneself.

Ways of infection. Z Human infection occurs when
swallowing mature eggs in the mouth with dirty hands, with objects
everyday life and dust.

Harmful
habits: taking fingers, toys, pens, pencils in the mouth, biting nails, etc.

Clinical manifestations. The most common e the earliest symptom is pruritus in
the anal area that occurs in the evening or at night. With massive
invasion, itching becomes unbearable, causes insomnia, and decreases working capacity.
Children become moody, irritable, memory deteriorates,
abdominal pain, gastrointestinal upset, inflammation of the appendix, in girls
– vulvovaginitis and other symptoms.Life span of one generation
pinworms 28 – 30 days, but if the rules of personal hygiene are not followed, the disease
sometimes acquires a stubborn course, lasts for years.

Prevention .
Release from pinworms with a mild course of enterobiasis is possible if
personal hygiene rules. In other cases, it should be carried out simultaneously
medical and preventive measures. Given that enterobiasis refers to
contact helminthiasis, children applying for organized groups
are subject to mandatory examination for enterobiasis.Survey result
valid for 1 month, if from the moment of the examination to the visit to the organized
team has passed more than a month, children are subject to re-examination

Fight against
enterobiasis can be effective only if timely
examination or treatment of all family members of the patient, one-step treatment
of all identified patients with the simultaneous carrying out of the following preventive
events:

1.Wash the patient with a washcloth and soap

2.Change bed and underwear
linen.

3. Blanket, mattresses and washable
iron items of clothing with a hot iron or vacuum. In summer and winter everything
additionally hang things on the street for at least two hours.

4. Conduct a daily wet
cleaning the room, wipe all objects with a damp cloth (upholstered furniture
vacuum or knock out on the street). Wash the floor well, use a rag used for
cleaning, boil or scald with boiling water.

5.Daily morning and night
patients with enterobiasis need to wash off with warm water and soap. After washing, put on clean ones,
hot-ironed, tight-fitting panties.

6.Place in the anal at night
hole cotton swab smeared with petroleum jelly, which should be removed in the morning and
scald with boiling water.

7.Sleep on a separate
bed, during sleep do not hide with your head. It promotes swallowing
pinworm eggs and re-infection.

8. Change underwear and
bed linen or iron it with a hot iron.

9. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

10. Do not put your fingers in your mouth, do not
gnaw nails, cut them short.

REMEMBER! Treatment success depends on
careful observance of hygiene of the body, clothing, home.

90,000 Enterobiasis in children

What is enterobiasis?

Enterobiasis is the most common type of helminthiasis, a helminthic invasion caused by pinworms, white nematodes 0.5-1 cm long, with pointed ends of the body, belonging to the species Enterobius vermicularis.Pinworms enter the body through the mouth, populate the lower part of the large (less often – small) intestine and move outward (through the rectum to the anus) only at night to lay eggs in the human anus. The eggs become infectious after 4-6 hours. They cause severe itching, and if a child scratches his butt and then touches his face with his hands, a secondary infection occurs.

Pinworms spread very quickly. For this reason, enterobiasis is the most common helminthic childhood disease – it accounts for more than 90% of all helminthic infestations in children.Its prevention is possible and comes down to compliance with standard hygiene rules – wash your hands more often and be sure to do this after visiting the toilet, do not touch your face with your hands and do not pull them into your mouth. However, it is almost impossible to make sure that a child, especially a young child, does not take his hands in his mouth at all, does not lick his fingers or gnaw toys. It will also not work to completely isolate the child from childcare facilities, where the risk of infection is maximum. Therefore, when pinworms are found, the main advice to parents is not to panic and not blame yourself for what happened.Nothing terrible happened, almost everyone goes through it.

How to understand that a child has enterobiasis, and what to do now?

Sometimes parents find the pinworms themselves – in the child’s pot or on his body. In this case, additional diagnostics are only auxiliary in nature. All that remains is to make an appointment with a pediatrician as soon as possible to start treatment.

However, there are also symptoms for which helminthiasis can be suspected. The main and most specific of them is itching in the anus, especially at night and in the morning.The rest are only indirect: nausea, loss of appetite, lethargy, irritability, abdominal pain, frequent cystitis, urethritis, in girls – vulvitis and vaginitis. With any of them, it is necessary to immediately show the child to a qualified pediatrician: infection with pinworms significantly reduces immunity, the gastrointestinal tract suffers from them, in addition, the little patient himself experiences severe discomfort.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the widespread opinion that due to worms, children grind their teeth in their sleep.This is a myth without any foundation. Bruxism (gritting teeth) can be caused by a physiological cause, that is, an improper bite, or the structure of the jaw, or neurological – a high level of stress, which causes a spasm – but certainly not parasites.

Can you get rid of pinworms yourself?

If you are sure that you have found exactly enterobiasis, but have not yet made an appointment at the children’s clinic, the first thing to do is to move to an increased level of hygiene for the temperature above 55 degrees and iron it, wash more often, wash hands, toys, carry out wet cleaning in the apartment.Carpets, pillows and bedspreads are recommended to be taken out in frost for 2-3 hours and then shaken out (in summer – on the contrary, in the hot sun). You will have to live in this mode for at least a week.

There are many popular methods of dealing with worms – for example, garlic enemas. However, self-medication is fraught with unpleasant consequences and, first of all, relapses. It is necessary to treat enterobiasis with the whole family, comprehensively and under the supervision of a doctor.

There are several common anthelmintic drugs most commonly prescribed by pediatricians to an infected family.This is pyrantel, normil, nemozol, vermox. The drug and dose are selected individually for each patient, depending on height, age and weight. At the same time, the doctor prescribes local remedies that stop itching and gives hygiene recommendations.

How informative is the analysis for enterobiasis?

Parents face the need to be tested for enterobiasis more often than, in fact, with the disease itself. It is required for registration of a medical card for a kindergarten, for a certificate that the child can attend the pool and some other sports sections.To do this, a scraping is taken from the anus with a cotton swab, spatula or special adhesive tape, and then examined in the laboratory for the detection of pinworm eggs. It is done strictly in the morning, before the toilet of the skin in the area of ​​the perianal folds.

However, many parents are faced with the fact that it is not informative enough. Worms lay eggs cyclically, not every night, and they may not be detected, even if the child has parasites, which means there is also a possibility of a false negative result.Therefore, it should be treated only as a screening method. Additional information can be given by a blood test and, of course, a direct examination by a competent pediatrician.

90,000 enterobiasis in children treatment how many days

enterobiasis in children treatment how many days

Klinistil begins with the elimination of nausea. After absorption by the walls of the small intestine, active substances enter the bloodstream, destroying extraintestinal helminths.

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Enterobiasis (pinworms) in children.Enterobiasis is a disease caused by small parasitic white worms Enterobius vermicularis – pinworms. Enterobiasis is one of the most common parasitic diseases in children. The period from infection to the onset of symptoms in enterobiasis is 12 to 14 days. The larvae emerge from the eggs, turn into adult pinworms, and parasitize in the lower half of the small and upper colon. When pinworms are found in a child, enterobiasis treatment should be carried out by all family members in order to avoid infection of each other with helminth eggs.Go to the site I first encountered pinworms when my child went to kindergarten. A few months after this significant event, when I was going to wash his pot, I saw a small (no more than 1 cm) white threadlike worm on the feces – a pinworm. This is no coincidence – pinworms become infected upon contact, so children attending kindergartens and schools are the most vulnerable. Their infection is facilitated by close communication and unformed personal hygiene skills. Pinworms are the most common worms in the world.It is believed that 10% of the people on the planet are infected with them. In Latin, pinworm is called enterobius, hence the complex and beautiful name of the disease – enterobiasis. Pinworms. Go to the site Treatment of Enterobiasis in Children: Today there are several available drugs for the treatment of pinworms in a fairly short line. But drugs alone are not enough for effective therapy. Children who are infected with pinworms constantly swallow new eggs of these parasites, which get onto their hands from their own skin or from the skin of other people with whom they interact.Go to the site Enterobiasis in children. RCHD (Republican Center for Healthcare Development of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan) Version: Clinical Protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan – 2019. ICD categories: Enterobiasis (B80). Sections of medicine: Infectious diseases in children, Pediatrics. General information. Print version .. Enterobiasis (Latin enterobiosis; English enterobiasis, oxyuriasis) – anthroponous contagious (cosmopolitan) helminthiasis, manifested by itching in the perianal region, dyspeptic disorders, predominantly chronic course due to repeated self-infection of the patient (autoinvasion).INTRODUCTORY PART. Code (s) ICD-10 Go to the site Enterobiasis in children is a helmite disease caused by roundworms – pinworms. Enterobiasis in children is manifested by severe perianal itching (especially at night), abdominal pain, lack of appetite, nausea, upset stools, irritability, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions, weight loss, growth and developmental delay. For microscopic detection of pinworm eggs in children, a scraping or imprint from the perianal folds for enterobiasis is performed.Treatment of enterobiasis includes deworming children with repeated parasitological examination, personal hygiene. ICD-10. B80 Enterobiasis. Causes. Go to the site Enterobiasis – symptoms and treatment. What is enterobiasis? We will analyze the causes, diagnosis and treatment methods in the article by Dr. Pavel Andreevich Aleksandrov, an infectious disease specialist with 13 years of experience. Enterobiasis in pregnant women can lead to an increased risk of child allergization and the appearance of vitamin deficiency and malnutrition (as a result of competitive absorption of nutrients).The pregnant woman herself often develops toxicosis, the spectrum of unpleasant symptoms of the general condition increases (nausea, fatigue, increased irritability, nervousness). Go to the site Pinworm eggs in feces in children: symptoms, treatment, how to get rid of. Alexey Portnov, medical editor Last revised: 04/11/2020. x .. To diagnose pinworm eggs in children, it is necessary to donate feces and scrapings for enterobiasis from the perianal folds. To obtain reliable results, it is better to take the analysis in the morning, that is, before going to the toilet and hygiene procedures.Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a course of treatment. The therapy is carried out not only by the baby, but also by the whole family. A doctor should deal with the treatment of enterobiasis. Medicines for pinworm eggs are prescribed after a comprehensive diagnosis. Go to the site Methods of treatment when pinworms are found in a child. Disease prevention. Enterobiasis is an infection of the body with helminths – pinworms. Young children are at risk, but children of other ages can also be infected. The causative agent of the parasitic infection is pinworm.Enterobiasis is provoked by the pinworm parasite. This helminth is a roundworm belonging to the class of nematodes. It has some appearance features. Go to the site Enterobiasis is the most common type of helminthiasis, a helminthic invasion caused by pinworms, white nematodes 0.5-1 cm long, with pointed ends of the body, belonging to the species Enterobius vermicularis. Pinworms enter the body through the mouth, populate the lower part of the large (less often – small) intestine and move outward (through the rectum to the anus) only at night to lay eggs in the human anus.The eggs become infectious after 4-6 hours. They cause severe itching, and if a child scratches his butt and then touches his face with his hands, a secondary infection occurs. Pinworms spread very quickly. Go to the website We have extensive experience in treating enterobiasis in children with Pyrantel (tablets, suspension). Pirantel is well known in the world market for anthelmintic drugs and is widely used for the treatment of enterobiasis in Russia by many generations of doctors. In our opinion, this drug has a number of advantages over other anthelmintic drugs…. For the treatment of ascariasis, medamin is prescribed in the same doses for 3 days. Side effects of medamine include nausea and weakness. In case of allergic manifestations, the drug is canceled. Go to website

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Klinistil drug instruction
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The mechanism of the tablets is mixed: a paralytic effect on the intestinal muscles of parasites by blocking the beta-tubulin protein and a violation of the synthesis of ATP – an energy molecule for the vital activity of helminths.The manufacturer indicates that Klinistil does not have a negative health effect. It is based on natural ingredients that safely act on the condition, do not cause negative symptoms. But the instructions indicate contraindications and side effects that should be studied before use. Important! If treatment is not carried out on time, then helminthiasis leads to serious problems. The person will develop diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver and other internal organs.

90,000 “Enterobiasis (pinworms).Information for patients “- Yandex.Qu

Features and life cycle of pinworms

Enterobiasis – contact helminthiasis, one of two cases when the whole family should be treated. This is determined by the peculiarities of the biology of the parasite: mature female pinworms filled with eggs actively crawl out of the anus, most often at night, and lay eggs on the skin of the perianal region, buttocks, and sometimes on bedding. Crawling worms secrete isovaleric acid, which causes severe itching.In a dream, a person involuntarily scratches himself and collects eggs on his fingers, under his nails. From there, they enter the external environment and become a component of house dust.
Man is the only owner of pinworms, i.e. the entire life cycle takes place in the human body.
The prevalence is very wide, representatives of all socio-economic groups are sick. Most often occurs in children 5-10 years old, least rarely in children under 2 years old who do not attend kindergarten.

Infection occurs through ingestion of eggs.In the small intestine, larvae hatch from eggs, pinworms attach to its mucous membrane by the mouth opening, irritating it. Sexually mature female pinworms filled with eggs descend into the large intestine, then into the rectum. Eggs are deposited in the anal area (also called the perianal folds), sometimes on the skin of the buttocks or on nightwear / bedding. Pinworms live only 20 days, some champions live up to 40. Eggs remain invasive (infectious) depending on external conditions from several hours to several months.They are resistant to most environmental influences and to chlorination, but quickly die at high insolation. Therefore, the prevalence of enterobiasis is significantly lower in countries with hot dry climates.

Symptoms and course of enterobiasis

The main symptom of pinworms is itching in the anal area, especially at night. Itching is caused by an allergic reaction to egg clutches, the presence of an adult in the perianal zone. Scratching leads to eggs falling onto the hands with subsequent self-infection and spread of eggs in the environment.Intense scratching leads to the appearance of inflammatory areas and their secondary bacterial infection. In rare cases, with a large number of worms in the host’s body, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting may develop. Pinworms crawling into the blind process can lead to appendicitis.

Complications of enterobiasis

Complications are associated not only with intestinal damage, but also with pinworms getting into atypical habitats. The following possible complications are described:

  • Eosinophilic enterocolitis as a special, individual reaction in case of hypersensitivity to pinworm antigens or the result of a very strong infection.
  • Vulvovaginitis and associated secondary urinary tract infection. This problem is common in young girls. Therefore, with vulvovaginitis, it is necessary to perform an examination for enterobiasis.
  • Salpingitis and oophoritis – develop if pinworms penetrate through the female genital tract to the pelvic organs.
  • In rare cases, pinworms are able to pierce the intestinal wall and enter the abdominal cavity. This can lead to peritonitis.

Diagnosis of enterobiasis

The diagnosis is straightforward, scraping or an imprint of adhesive tape from the skin of the perianal zone allows you to identify pinworm eggs.The test is most effective in the morning before the toilet. Stool analysis does not reveal pinworm eggs.

Treatment of enterobiasis

The following drugs have been proven to be effective:

  • Albendazole
  • Mebendazole
  • Pirantela pamoat
  • Piperazine. This drug is less effective than the previous ones, but in certain cases its use is justified.

The drug must be prescribed by a doctor. It is very important to observe the correct dosage – at a low dosage, the treatment is ineffective.The effectiveness of the treatment is quite high. But you should discuss with your doctor the need to repeat in two weeks, which gives a result close to 100% and avoids re-infection.

Pinworm eggs are invasive immediately upon isolation, so treatment of the whole family is justified. To reduce the risk of re-infection, bed linen, clothing should be treated, nails should be cut short and personal hygiene rules should be followed carefully (see Hygiene measures).

Pregnancy: Piperazine is the drug of choice during pregnancy.

Prevention of enterobiasis

Personal hygiene (washing hands, refusing to eat in an unhygienic environment) helps prevent infection.

90,000 Pinworms: Pinworm symptoms in children and adults, diagnosis and treatment for pinworms

Pinworms danger and harm

Pinworms are small (up to 13 mm) parasitic helminths, infection with which causes the development of enterobiasis. This disease is one of the most common helminthic invasions and, according to various sources, affects up to 90% of children of primary school age.Although pinworms are more commonly diagnosed in children, adults can also suffer from these parasites.

Features of the structure and life cycle of pinworms

Despite the small size of the human pinworm, it is capable of causing colossal harm to the body, especially in the event of a mass invasion. When an invasive pinworm egg enters the human gastrointestinal tract, a mobile larva hatches from it, which begins a gradual migration through the intestines and reaches sexual maturity in two weeks.After fertilization, the male dies, and the female pinworm continues to migrate to the anus: it is here that she will lay eggs (from 5 to 20,000). This completes the development cycle of the pinworm.

How long do pinworms live? Their life cycle is relatively short and is 3-4 weeks, however, enterobiasis can last much longer, which is explained by the self-infection mechanism: the patient constantly swallows new eggs, which are scattered through linen, clothes, and fall on his hands. Therefore, the answer to the question “can pinworms pass on their own?” – negative.Pinworm infection will not only not go away without effective treatment and taking suitable drugs, but it will also become chronic, leading to new dangerous consequences. The incubation period for pinworms is also minimal.

The body of pinworms is maximally adapted to life in the human body: thanks to the pointed rear end, they easily move through the intestines, feeding on the nutrients contained in it, as well as beneficial microflora. The baby pinworm lives mainly in the lower part of the small intestine, but can also be found in other parts of it.For example, parasites are often found in the appendix – presumably, their vital activity is capable of causing inflammation (provoking appendicitis).

Harm from pinworms in humans

Pinworm infection occurs when eggs are accidentally swallowed that have fallen from the patient’s hands to food (fecal-oral transmission mechanism). Therefore, the disease often spreads spontaneously and outbreaks, especially often it can be found in kindergartens, swimming pools, medical institutions.

The harm caused by helminths is caused by several factors at once:

  • Mechanical damage to the mucous membrane.
    Pinworms have sharp pterygoid processes that literally cut through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. The wounds become inflamed, and infection can enter them. That is why helminthic invasions are so often accompanied by the development of fungal and bacterial infections (development of candida, streptococcus).
  • Toxic effect.
    Any type of pinworm (and three types of these worms can parasitize in the human body) has a serious toxic effect, throwing out the products of its vital activity into the gastrointestinal tract.In addition, after their death, pinworms remain in the intestine, affect it with decay products. Gradually, toxins accumulate and the manifestations of intoxication are aggravated.
  • Deficiency of micro and macro elements.
    Like any parasites, pinworms in adults and children feed on the organism of their host, literally “eating” it. As a result, the body does not receive the necessary micro- and macroelements, the imbalance of which disrupts endocrine processes.
  • Violation of the usual way of life.
    One of the most unpleasant (from a psychological point of view) symptoms of pinworm infection is associated with its migrations to the anus. During these periods, the patient experiences severe obsessive itching in the perineum. As a rule, pinworms are activated in the evening hours and at night. Irritation of the anus does not allow the patient to sleep peacefully, as a result, the usual regime is disrupted, psychological fatigue accumulates, efficiency decreases, and irritability increases.

Pinworm symptoms in children and adults

The main signs of pinworms in children and adults are:

  • Obsessive itching near the anus in the evening and at night.
    In some cases, pinworms can also penetrate the vagina (pinworms in women), then the patient may experience discomfort throughout the perineum.
  • Stool disorder.
    In case of mass invasions, the disease caused by pinworms leads to defecation disorders: the stool becomes more frequent and liquid, and fragments of mucus may be present in it. This is a direct indication of the developing dysbiosis – helminthic invasions lead to the death of the beneficial intestinal microflora, as a result of which digestion processes are disrupted, the intestine absorbs less nutrients.
  • Mild abdominal pain, bloating.
    In addition, this helminthiasis is characterized by typical symptoms of invasion: episodic headaches, increased fatigue, children become capricious and apathetic. Possible acute allergic reactions to worm toxins (urticaria, Quincke’s edema).

With chronicity of the process, especially among children, there is a high risk of developmental delay (due to imbalance of substances caused by parasites). Infection with pinworms undermines a person’s immunity, the patient often suffers from respiratory infections, in addition, the risks of developing HIV and oncology are growing.

Diagnosis of pinworms

The diagnosis of this helminth is quite simple and painless: the doctor takes a swab from the anus. In the case of a parasite, either pinworm eggs or worm particles will be found in it. Blood for pinworms is usually not prescribed. If pinworm eggs are found, do not despair. The correct remedy for pinworms in adults will quickly defeat the disease.

Pinworm Treatment

If the tests have confirmed helminthic invasion, it is necessary to immediately begin the treatment of pinworms in children and adults.Currently, various chemical preparations are used to kill worms and accelerate their evacuation. Unfortunately, such treatment of pinworms in adults is not always effective enough: highly toxic drugs can have serious side effects, and the inability to take them for long courses practically negates the chances of removing not only adult parasites from the body, but also their larvae and eggs. Therefore, after such ill-considered treatment, the symptoms of pinworms in adults may return.This means re-infection has occurred.

How to remove pinworms in adults? Experts recommend choosing a drug that could be taken in long courses, guaranteeing complete elimination of the invasion. It is also desirable to carry out simultaneous work to increase immunity and body intoxication.

Prevention of helminthiasis

If pinworm eggs were found in children, then all family members are recommended to undergo infection prevention at the same time as their treatment.In addition, it is important to treat bedding, garments from the eggs of the parasite.

How to treat pinworms in adults, and which pills are suitable not only for the treatment of worms (pinworms), but also for their prevention? The optimal solution would be to choose a product based on natural ingredients. Such an antiparasitic complex is offered by Optisult. The drug has been certified and proven to be effective against helminths, their eggs and larvae.

Study of scraping for enterobiasis in the laboratory KDL

Scraping for enterobiasis is a standard test for diagnosing pinworm infestation.Enterobiasis is a disease that occurs only in humans and is caused by pinworms (Enterobius fermicularis). The most characteristic signs of invasion are nighttime itching in the anus and signs of gastrointestinal discomfort. This test is not a substitute for stool analysis for helminth eggs, since both of these laboratory tests are designed to identify different types of helminths.

In what cases is a study for enterobiasis usually prescribed?

Most often, this study is prescribed during clinical examination, in preparation for hospitalization and planned surgical interventions, when registering children in kindergarten and school.The study is done for children when they return to the children’s team after the holidays, and it is also mandatory to obtain a certificate for the pool.

What exactly is determined in the analysis process?

A microscopic examination of scrapings from the skin of the perianal folds is carried out to identify pinworm eggs.

What do the test results mean?

Positive test result – “found” indicates the current parasitic invasion (entrobiosis).

A negative test result in the presence of a disease may be associated with non-compliance with the rules for preparing for the analysis.The female pinworm crawls out of the anus at night and lays eggs on the skin of the perianal region, since oxygen is needed for their maturation. If you wash the child in the morning, you can wash off the helminth eggs from the skin and the scraping will be uninformative.

Typical test lead time

Usually, the result of scraping for enterobiasis can be obtained within 1 day.

Do I need special preparation for the analysis?

Do not take a bath or shower before taking a scraping. Other hygiene procedures in the anus are also unacceptable.