What are the symptoms of pinworms? What causes a pinworm infection? How can pinworms be treated effectively? Get the answers to these questions and more in this comprehensive article.

What Are Pinworms (Threadworms)?

Pinworms, also known as threadworms, are a common intestinal parasite that primarily affects children. They are small, white, thread-like worms that live in the human intestine and lay their eggs around the anus. Pinworm infections, also called enterobiasis, are the most common type of worm infection in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Pinworm Symptoms

Many people with pinworms may not have any symptoms. The primary symptom of a pinworm infection is itching around the anus, which can disturb sleep. This itching typically occurs 1-2 months after the pinworms enter the body, during the worms’ maturing and reproduction stage. Other potential symptoms include:

• Insomnia due to disturbed sleep
• Abdominal pain
• Infection of the female genital tract
• Secondary infection due to scratching
• Irritability due to itching

The severity of symptoms usually depends on the number of adult worms present. Mild or no symptoms may occur with a small number of worms, while more severe symptoms are associated with a heavier infection.

What Causes Pinworms?

Pinworms are parasites that use the human body to survive and reproduce. They cannot infect other animals. The adult female worms are 8-13 millimeters (mm) long, while the males are 2-5 mm. They are whitish in color and resemble small pieces of thread. The worms live for 2-3 weeks.

The female pinworms lay their eggs around the anus and vagina. These eggs can then be transferred to various surfaces, such as bedsheets, carpets, hands, towels, and clothing. Anyone who touches these contaminated surfaces and then touches their mouth is at risk of ingesting the eggs and becoming infected.

Diagnosing Pinworms

To diagnose a pinworm infection, a doctor may use the following methods:

1. Tape test: The doctor places a piece of clear plastic tape against the skin around the anus and then examines the tape under a microscope for the presence of eggs. This is best done in the morning, as the female worms tend to lay their eggs at night.
2. Moistened swab: A doctor or nurse may take a moistened swab around the anal area to collect a sample for examination.
3. Sighting a worm: Sometimes, the worms can be visible in the anal area, on underwear, or in the toilet. In stool, they appear as small pieces of white cotton thread.

If there is no evidence of pinworms for 5 consecutive mornings, a doctor will typically not diagnose a pinworm infection.

Treating Pinworms

Effective treatment is available to eliminate pinworms. The most common medications used include:

• Mebendazole
• Pyrantel pamoate (available without a prescription)
• Albendazole

A person will need one dose of the medication at the beginning of treatment and another dose two weeks later to prevent reinfection, as the drugs do not kill the eggs. If one member of a household has a pinworm infection, all household members should receive treatment to prevent the spread of the infection.

Preventing Pinworm Reinfection

Strict hygiene measures can help remedy a pinworm infection and significantly reduce the risk of reinfection. These measures include:

• Careful handwashing, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and handling food
• Showering every morning instead of bathing to wash off any eggs
• Keeping fingernails clean to prevent reinfection
• Avoiding scratching around the anus
• Avoiding putting fingers in the mouth
• Washing bed linens and underclothes in hot water and drying them with a hot dryer

Good handwashing and hygiene practices can help prevent another pinworm outbreak, even if a person picks up a new infection from friends at school.

Potential Complications

While pinworm infections are generally not considered a serious health concern, there are some potential complications that may arise, including:

• Secondary bacterial infection due to scratching
• Urinary tract infection
• Appendicitis, if the infection lasts a long time and goes untreated

People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a baby under 6 months of age should seek medical advice if they suspect a pinworm infection.

Conclusion

Pinworms, or threadworms, are a common intestinal parasite that primarily affects children. The main symptom is itching around the anus, which can disturb sleep. Effective treatment is available, and strict hygiene measures can help prevent reinfection. If you suspect a pinworm infection, it’s important to seek medical advice for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage a pinworm infection and prevent the spread of this common parasite.

Pinworms (threadworms): Symptoms, causes, and treatments

The pinworm, also known as threadworm, is a common intestinal parasite. It mostly occurs in children and leads to itching around the anus. A pinworm infestation is known as enterobiasis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pinworms are the most common type of worm infection in the United States.

Pinworms are parasites. They use the human body to survive and reproduce. Human pinworms cannot infect any other animals.

Adult female worms are 8–13 millimeters (mm) long, and males are 2–5 mm. They are whitish in color and look like small pieces of thread. They live for 2–3 weeks.

Effective treatment is available that can eliminate pinworms.

Here, find out how to recognize a pinworm infestation and how to treat it.

Some people have no symptoms. If they occur, the main symptom is itching around the anus that can disturb sleep. This occurs 1–2 months after the pinworms enter the body, during the maturing and reproduction stage.

There may also be:

• insomnia due to disturbed sleep
• abdominal pain
• infection of the female genital tract
• a secondary infection due to scratching
• irritability due to itching

If an individual only has a small number of adult worms, the symptoms will be mild, or there may be no symptoms. Symptoms are worse with a more severe infection.

Treatment is with medication, such as:

• mebendazole
• pyrantel pamoate, available without prescription
• albendazole

A person will need one dose at the beginning and another dose of the same drug 2 weeks later. This will prevent reinfection, because the drugs do not kill the eggs.

If one member of a household has an infection, all members should receive treatment.

Speak with a doctor if a child under 2 years needs treatment. The doctor can recommend the safest and most effective approach for the child’s age.

Strict hygiene measures can remedy pinworm infection and significantly reduce the risk of reinfection.

Tips include the following:

• Practice careful handwashing techniques, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and handling food.
• Shower every morning to wash off any eggs. Showering is better than bathing as it prevents eggs passing onto the bath.
• Keep the fingernails clean to prevent reinfection.
• Avoid scratching around the anus.
• Avoid putting the fingers in the mouth.
• Wash bed linen and underclothes in hot water in the morning after waking up. Do not shake them but move them straight to the washer. Dry with a hot dryer.

When the infestation has gone, good handwashing practices and hygiene will help prevent reinfection. Good hygiene can prevent another outbreak even if children pick up another pinworm infection from friends at school.

If a person with a pinworm infection touches their underwear, bedsheets, or their anus, they can pick up eggs on their fingers.

If they touch another surface, they can leave the eggs there. Anyone who touches that surface and then touches their mouth is at risk of infection. Eggs can live on a surface for 2 weeks.

The female pinworm lays eggs around the anus and vagina. The eggs can be transferred from the person’s anus to:

• bed sheets
• carpets
• hands
• towels
• underwear and clothes

The female pinworm releases an itchy mucus when laying eggs, triggering an urge to scratch the affected area of the anus or vagina. From the hands, the eggs can pass on to anything that is touched, including:

• bathroom utensils, such as toothbrushes, combs, and brushes
• other people’s hands
• furniture
• kitchen and bathroom surfaces
• kitchen utensils
• toys

To diagnose a pinworm infection, a doctor may use the following:

Tape test

The doctor places a piece of clear plastic tape against the skin around the anus and then looks at the tape under a microscope. As the worm tends to lay eggs at night, good samples are more likely early in the morning. People may apply the tape at home and take or send the sample to the doctor.

Moistened swab

A doctor or nurse may take a moistened swab around the anal area.

Sighting a worm

Sometimes worms are visible in the anal area, on underwear, or in the toilet. In stool, they look like small pieces of white cotton thread.

To examine a child, inspect the anal area 2–3 hours after going to sleep, when the females are active outside the anus.

If there is no evidence of pinworms for 5 consecutive mornings, a doctor will not diagnose a pinworm infection.

Anyone who believes they have a pinworm infection should seek medical advice.

People should take extra care if they:

• are pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• have a baby less than 6 months of age

Occasionally, complications can arise, for instance:

• a secondary bacterial infection due to scratching
• urinary tract infection
• appendicitis, if the infection lasts a long time and there is no treatment

Here are some questions people often ask about pinworms.

How can you tell if you have pinworms?

The main symptom of pinworms is itching around the anus, especially at night.

How does a person get pinworms?

A person can take in the eggs by touching a surface that another person — who has an infection and has eggs on their fingers — has touched. Less commonly, they can take them in by shaking out bedding and breathing in and swallowing eggs in the air.

Do pinworms go away without treatment?

To treat pinworms, a doctor may recommend two doses of medication, 2 weeks apart and following strict hygiene practices to avoid reinfection. One medication, pyrantel pamoate, is available without a prescription. A doctor may not recommend medication for children under 2 years.

A pinworm infection happens when the eggs of a pinworm enter a person’s intestine. As the females mature, they move to the anal area. At night, they leave the anus and lay eggs in the area around it.

Some people have no symptoms, but it can cause severe itching. In the long term, more severe complications can occur.

Not everyone needs treatment for an infection, but two doses of medication 2 weeks apart can eliminate pinworms.

Pinworm infection – Symptoms & causes

Overview

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

Pinworm

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

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

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

Products & Services

Symptoms

Symptoms of pinworm infection may include:

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

Pinworms often cause no symptoms.

When to see a doctor

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

Causes

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

Female pinworms move to the anal area to lay their eggs, which often results in anal itching. When you scratch the itchy area, the eggs cling to your fingers and get under your fingernails. The eggs then get transferred to other surfaces, such as toys, bedding or toilet seats. The eggs can also be transferred from contaminated fingers to food, liquids, clothes or other people.

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

Risk factors

Risk factors for pinworm infection include:

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

Complications

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

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

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

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

Prevention

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

• Wash in the morning. Because pinworms lay their eggs at night, washing the anal area in the morning can help reduce the number of pinworm eggs on your body. Showering may help avoid possible re-contamination in bath water.
• Change underwear and bedding daily. This helps remove eggs.
• Launder in hot water. Wash bedsheets, pajamas, underwear, washcloths and towels in hot water to help kill pinworm eggs. Dry on high heat.
• Don’t scratch. Avoid scratching the anal area. Trim your child’s fingernails so there’s less space for eggs to collect. Suggest that your child avoid biting his or her nails.
• Wash your hands. To reduce your risk of getting or spreading an infection, wash your hands well after using the toilet or changing a diaper and before eating.

Enterobiasis – pinworm invasion. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of enterobiosis

Author

Vanyukova Irina Alexandrovna

Leading physician

Pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist, doctor of the highest category

Pediatrician

9 0002 Creation date: 2016.03.29

Pinworms

Enterobiasis is a parasitic disease, one of the most common helminthiases. Enterobiasis is caused by pinworms. In Latin pinworms are called Enterobius vermicularis, hence the name of the disease.

Pinworms are small round worms of a grayish-white color. The length of male pinworms is up to 5 mm, females – up to 13 mm. The living environment of pinworms is the human intestine (caecum, lower small intestine, large intestine). Pinworm eggs enter the human body by the oral route (through the mouth). In the intestines, larvae emerge from the eggs, which turn into sexually mature individuals. This process takes 2 to 4 weeks. The fertilized female crawls out of the anus and lays eggs around it. Eggs require a temperature of 34-36 °C and high humidity for maturation. The skin folds in the perianal region ideally provide these conditions. The exit of female pinworms most often occurs at night, when the muscles of the anal sphincter are relaxed. After that, the life cycle of the pinworm is completed. Thus, pinworms live no longer than a month.

Any questions?

Leave the phone –
and we will call you back

Causes of enterobiasis

How pinworm infection occurs

Enterobiasis can only be contracted from a person who is a carrier of pinworms. Pinworms do not live in the body of animals, and enterobiasis cannot be infected from animals.

Self-infection is common. The female pinworm lays up to 13,000 eggs, sealing them with an acid that causes intense itching. A person wants to scratch, and when he does this, the eggs fall under the nails, on the fingers, and from them – on the bed and underwear, household items. During life in a team, the spread of enterobiasis is very likely. If someone in the family becomes infected with pinworms, after some time enterobiasis can affect all family members.

Enterobiasis is a predominantly childhood disease

Most often, enterobiasis is detected in children aged 4 to 9 years. This is
due to the fact that children at this age already take care of their own
hygiene, but have not yet fully mastered all the necessary skills.

Enterobiasis symptoms

The main symptom of enterobiasis is severe itching in the anus. Itching usually begins 12-14 days after infection, when the first female pinworms crawl out to lay eggs. Enterobiasis is characterized by itching (or intensification of itching) at night.

Intensive scratching can lead to dermatitis, the addition of a secondary infection.

At the same time, very often the child suffers from enterobiasis unnoticed by the parents. If there are no other symptoms besides itching, the child may scratch, not considering this a problem and not complaining about anything. Therefore, enterobiasis is often detected only during preventive examinations of children.

Other symptoms of enterobiasis:

Abdominal pain

If there are many parasites in the intestines, abdominal pain and flatulence may occur.

Stool disorder

The presence of pinworms in the intestine leads to disruption of its work, dysbacteriosis develops, stool disorder is observed (alternating diarrhea and constipation).

Allergic manifestations

Pinworms release toxins that poison the body and cause a response in the form of allergic manifestations. With enterobiasis (especially in children), headache, dizziness, increased fatigue, and decreased performance are possible. Children can become capricious, excitable; such children are difficult to put to sleep, their sleep is easily interrupted. In a dream, they can scream, cry, grind their teeth.

Disease of the genitourinary system in women

In women, pinworms, migrating, can leave the anus and enter the vagina. At the same time, intestinal microflora (in particular, E. coli) can be introduced into the genital tract, which can lead to the development of inflammation – colpitis, urethritis.

Diagnostic methods for enterobiasis

Diagnosis of enterobiasis is made on the basis of the results of laboratory tests. Analysis of feces for eggs of helminth pinworms, as a rule, does not detect. This is due to the fact that pinworm eggs do not enter the feces. To detect pinworm lesions, scraping from the folds of the skin around the anus (scraping for enterobiasis) is used.

Scraping for enterobiasis

Scraping for enterobiasis in a child can be done in the treatment room of any of the clinics of the Family Doctor. The procedure is carried out quickly and does not cause any discomfort in children.

Biological material is transferred to the Family Doctor’s own laboratory for microscopic examination.

To accurately diagnose the disease, make an appointment with the specialists of the Family Doctor network.

Enterobiasis treatments

Enterobiosis

Treatment of enterobiasis is carried out by pediatricians, and in adult patients – by gastroenterologists.

For the success of treatment, it is important that all family members are treated at the same time. Careful observance of personal hygiene is also necessary. When treating children, parents should pay special attention to the hygiene of the child.

Anthelmintic drugs

Anthelmintic drugs are used in the treatment of enterobiasis.

Do not self-medicate. Contact our specialists who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Rate how useful the material was

Thank you for rating

Similar diseases

Dysbacteriosis

Read completely

Allergy

Read completely

Worms

Read completely

All diseases

Pinworms

Pinworms is 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 contracting 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 humans.

Symptoms of enterobiasis:

• Itching, scratching accompanying 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 pathogen 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 disinfection-disinfestation agents
• soft toys, upholstered furniture and carpets are treated with a vacuum cleaner, followed by dust disinfection.