Pinworm Infection

Pinworm infections are very common in the US and around the world. They're a type of parasite that lives in the intestines. These tiny worms are usually white and very thin, about the size of a small fingernail, ranging from roughly a sixth to a half inch long (or 6 to 13 millimeters).

Pinworms, tiny worms that live in the intestines, can sometimes cause noticeable symptoms. A common sign is itching around the bottom (the anal area) or the genitals (vagina). This itching often keeps people from sleeping, making them feel restless and irritable. They might also grind their teeth. Sometimes, pinworms cause mild tummy aches or feelings of queasiness (nausea).

Important to know: Pinworms don't always cause any symptoms at all. Many people who have pinworms don't even realize it.

If you're experiencing persistent and intense itching around your anus, especially if it's worse at night, talk to your doctor. This kind of severe, ongoing itching could be a sign of a medical problem that needs professional attention. Don't try to treat it yourself.

Pinworm infections happen when you accidentally swallow or breathe in tiny pinworm eggs. These eggs are so small you can't even see them with the naked eye. They can get into your body through contaminated food, drinks, or by touching your mouth with your fingers that have pinworm eggs on them.

Once inside your body, the eggs grow into adult pinworms in your intestines within a few weeks. These adult pinworms are female, and they travel to your bottom (anal area) to lay their eggs. This often causes intense itching around the anus. When you scratch the itch, you transfer the eggs to your fingers. These eggs then get spread everywhere - on toys, bedding, toilet seats, and even your hands, which can then contaminate food, drinks, clothes, or other people.

The pinworm eggs can stay alive on surfaces for about two to three weeks. This means they can survive for a while on things like a used toilet seat or a dirty toy, making them easy to spread.

Pinworm infections are more common in some people than others. Here are some things that increase your chances of getting them:

• Age: Pinworm infections are most often seen in kids between the ages of 5 and 10. This is because the tiny pinworm eggs are very easily spread from one person to another, especially among family members, classmates, or kids in the same childcare setting. It's less common for children under 2 to get pinworms.

• Living Conditions: People who live in close quarters, such as group homes or other shared living situations, are more likely to get pinworm infections. This is because the eggs can easily travel from one person to another in these environments.

Pinworm infections are usually not a big deal. Most cases don't cause any significant health problems. However, in some uncommon situations, a very large number of pinworms can lead to trouble.

These tiny worms live in the anal area. Sometimes, a large infestation can cause them to travel up the vagina. From there, they can potentially spread further into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other organs in the pelvis. This can result in inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis) or the lining of the uterus (endometritis).

While very rare, other potential issues connected to a heavy pinworm infection include:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Pinworms can sometimes cause infections in the urinary system.
• Weight loss: A severe infection might lead to loss of appetite and weight.
• Abdominal infections: In a small number of cases, pinworms can spread to the part of the abdomen called the peritoneal cavity, causing an infection there.

Pinworm eggs can live on surfaces like toys, faucets, bedding, and toilet seats for up to two weeks. This means regular cleaning is important, but there are other steps you can take to prevent getting or spreading pinworms:

Morning Hygiene: Pinworms often lay their eggs at night. Washing the bottom area of your body in the morning helps remove these eggs. Taking a shower can further reduce the risk of re-infection by preventing the eggs from getting into the bathwater and spreading.

Daily Changes: Pinworm eggs can stick to clothing and bedding. To remove these eggs, change your underwear and bedding every day.

Thorough Laundry: Washing contaminated items like bedsheets, pajamas, underwear, washcloths, and towels in hot water helps kill the pinworm eggs. Drying these items on high heat is also important to kill any remaining eggs.

Scratching is a No-No: Avoid scratching your bottom. This helps prevent the spread of pinworms. Keeping fingernails trimmed short can also reduce the places where eggs can collect. Encourage children not to bite their nails.

Hand Hygiene is Key: Washing hands thoroughly after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before eating is crucial for preventing pinworm infections and stopping them from spreading. Make sure to use soap and water, and wash for at least 20 seconds.

Doctors can find out if someone has pinworms by looking for the worms or their eggs.

A simple test called a tape test can help your doctor. To do this, before the person suspected of having pinworms gets out of bed, washes, or uses the bathroom, gently press a sticky side of clear tape to the skin around their bottom. The pinworm eggs will stick to the tape.

For the most accurate results, repeat this tape test for three days in a row. Then, take all three pieces of tape to your doctor. Your doctor will use a microscope to check the tape for pinworm eggs. If eggs are found, it confirms a pinworm infection.

Pinworm infections can be treated in a few ways. Your doctor might suggest a common over-the-counter medicine called pyrantel pamoate. This is often recommended for all people living in the same home to stop the infection from spreading and coming back.

For pinworm infections, doctors sometimes prescribe other medications to treat the whole family. These are usually given to everyone in the household to prevent reinfection. The most common medicines for this are:

• Mebendazole: This medicine is often used to kill the pinworms.
• Albendazole (Albenza): This is another common medicine to get rid of pinworms.

It's important to know that you might have some mild tummy problems (like nausea or upset stomach) while taking these medicines. You usually need to take the medicine more than once to completely get rid of the pinworms. Following your doctor's instructions carefully is key to success.