Pinworm infections are also known as enterobiasis or oxyuriasis. Pinworm infections can spread easily. An effective treatment for pinworm infections is medication, though reinfection is possible.
Serious complications and long-term health effects are rare. Some individuals with pinworm infections may not experience any symptoms. However, you may suspect that you or your child has a pinworm infection if you notice:. Pinworms infections are highly contagious. You become infected with pinworms by unintentionally ingesting or inhaling pinworm eggs.
The cycle of infection begins with the ingestion of these microscopic eggs. Once the eggs enter your body, they remain in the intestine until they hatch and mature. As adults, the female pinworms move into the colon and exit the body through the anus at night. Female pinworms lay eggs in the folds of skin around the anus and then return to the colon.
The presence of these eggs often causes anal itching and irritation. When a person scratches the affected area, the pinworm eggs transfer to the fingers. The eggs can survive for several hours on your hands. Pinworm eggs can survive on these contaminated surfaces for up to three weeks. Children transfer pinworm eggs easily because they may put infected toys or other objects directly into their mouths.
The eggs can also transfer from contaminated fingers directly to food or liquids. Pinworms generally live for up to 13 weeks. Scratching an affected area can lead to unintentional ingestion, which can lead to reinfection and a restart of the entire pinworm life process. Sometimes, eggs on the anus can hatch and the pinworm larvae can reinfect the intestine that they came from.
Pinworm infections affect people of all ages and geographical regions. Humans are the only pinworm hosts. A tape test is the most reliable method for diagnosing a pinworm infection. This test consists of taking a piece of cellophane tape and pressing the sticky, adhesive side against the skin around the anus. Pinworms often exit the anus while a person sleeps.
Take the tape to your doctor, who can place it on a slide and examine it under a microscope to see if it contains pinworm eggs. Life cycle of a pinworm Infections begin when pinworm eggs are eaten, usually directly through contaminated hands or indirectly through contaminated food, bedding, clothing or other articles. Household pets cannot be infected with pinworms or pass them on to humans. Symptoms of pinworm Pinworm infections often produce no symptoms but, when they occur, symptoms can include: itchy bottom, especially at night reduced appetite feeling mildly unwell inflammation of the vagina adult worms can sometimes be seen in the faeces, and eggs may be seen clinging to the skin around the anus irritability and behavioural changes.
Treatment for pinworm infection Your doctor might want to perform a test to make sure the problem is a pinworm infection. Preventing another pinworm infection Suggestions to prevent another infection during treatment include: All family members should wash their hands and nails thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after going to the toilet, after changing nappies, before preparing food and before eating food.
Discourage scratching of the bottom and nail biting. Keep fingernails short. Daily bathing and showering. Wash all sheets, bed linen, pyjamas and sleepwear in hot water to kill any pinworm eggs. Clean toilet seats and potties regularly with disinfectant remember to store the disinfectant out of reach of children. All family members should take the medication, regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms.
Pinworm infection , Department of Health, Victorian Government. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. Related information. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Content disclaimer Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. The doctor may decide to treat the entire family, especially if your child has had a pinworm infection before. Although medicine takes care of the worm infection, the itching may continue for about a week.
So the doctor also might give your child a cream or other medicine to help stop the itching. Regular hand washing and routine household cleaning including frequent changing of underwear, and washing everyone's pajamas, towels, and bed linens also will help prevent the spread of a pinworm infection within the family.
Call the doctor if your child complains of itchy skin or always seems to be scratching the anal or vaginal area. Also ask about whether pinworms could be to blame if your child has trouble sleeping or has begun to wet the bed.
Pinworms can irritate the urethra — the channel through which pee leaves the bladder and exits the body — and lead to bedwetting. Remember that pinworms are quite common among kids and aren't harmful. By taking medicine and following some prevention tips, you'll be rid of the worms in no time.
Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is a Pinworm Infection? How Do Pinworm Infections Spread? These eggs can be found on contaminated hands and surfaces, such as: bed linens towels clothing especially underwear and pajamas toilets bathroom fixtures food drinking glasses eating utensils toys kitchen counters desks or lunch tables at school sandboxes The eggs pass into the digestive system and hatch in the small intestine.
How Are Pinworm Infections Diagnosed? How Are Pinworm Infections Treated? Can Pinworm Infections Be Prevented? Here are a few ways to prevent pinworm infections in your family: Remind kids to wash their hands often, especially after using the toilet, after playing outside, and before eating.
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