Pinworms


Last Updated December 20th, 2021

What are pinworms?

Pinworms are plasticky, thread-like worms that live in the large intestine of human beings. They are about one-half inch long. Pinworm eggs are small, transparent, and can be seen only with a microscope. When the person sleeps, the female pinworm travels to the anus and lays eggs around the anal region, which along with the wriggling of the female pinworm leads to severe itching.

How is pinworm infection spread?

Pinworm infection or Enterobiasis is spread by the fecal-oral route, that is by the transfer of infective pinworm eggs from the anus to someone’s mouth. This happens either by hand to mouth contact and ingestion of the eggs or indirectly through contaminated food and water, clothing, bedding, food, or other household objects/surfaces. The pinworm eggs can remain on the surfaces or objects around you for up to 3 weeks. You cannot get pinworm from your pets because humans are the only known hosts of the pinworm.

Why is it a continuous cycle?

Once the affected person scratches his/her anal region, the pinworm eggs are transferred to the person’s fingers and remain under the fingernails. It then spreads to the bedding and linen and other objects/surfaces in the house and also remains on the person’s underwear. These pinworm eggs when accidentally ingested by anyone in the house after they touch any of the affected person’s belongings can lead to the cycle being repeated. Retroinfection, or the migration of newly hatched larvae from the anal skin back into the rectum, may occur, but the frequency with which this happens is unknown.

Symptoms of Pinworm Infection

  • Itching around the area of the anus, and in women, also around the vagina
  • Nervousness
  • Insomnia and restlessness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weight loss
  • Infection of the bladder or ureters, leading to dysuria or bladder comfort.

Sometimes in mild cases of infection, there may be no symptoms of pinworm.

Characteristics of Hosts

Pinworm infection affects people all over the world and across all ages and socioeconomic levels. Pinworm infection is the most common worm infection in the United States. Pinworm infection occurs most commonly among:

  • School-aged and preschool-aged children
  • Institutionalized Persons
  • Household members and caretakers of persons with pinworm infection

Due to the ease with which it spreads, pinworm infection usually affects more than one person in a household or an institution. Childcare centers are major sites of pinworm infection.

Risk Factors for Pinworm Infection

Children aged 5 to 10

Pinworm mostly affects children aged five to ten (kids in preschool or early school). Pinworm rarely affects children below the age of two. It spreads from the children to those who interact with the children, including teachers and caregivers in these institutions and at home.

Overcrowded spaces with poor hygiene

Overcrowded spaces with poor personal and group hygiene are also another risk factor for the spread of infections by pinworms. Here, it is possible to ingest these worm eggs as they spread through the air or through objects which people repeatedly use.

Testing for Pinworm

An adhesive transparent tape is taken and it is stuck around the anal region of the person who has just risen from sleep. As the female adult pinworm lays the eggs around this area, they will get stuck to the tape and will be present there when the person wakes up. Once you take this tape to the doctor, he will confirm the presence of pinworms and begin treatment. For best results, perform the tape tests three days in a row.

Self Management of Pinworms

By making a few changes around your home, you could keep these pinworms away. Some of them are listed below:

  • Avoid scratching the perianal area, even if you feel the need to do so.
  • Wash your hands regularly.
  • Keep your fingernails short, and avoid biting your nails.
  • Wear well-fitting underwear.
  • Wash your underwear in hot water each day.
  • Change your sleepwear regularly.
  • Mop or vacuum the floors throughout the house.
  • Wash all linens and bedding thoroughly in hot water.

Treatment for Pinworm Infection

To treat pinworm infections, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medications like pyrantel pamoate (Reese’s Pinworm Medicine) not just to the infected person but to other members of the household as well. The treatment works by paralyzing the worms so that they can leave the body in the person’s stool. Some of the anti-parasite medications used are:

  • Mebendazole
  • Albendazole (Albenza)

You may have mild gastrointestinal side effects initially and may need two doses at least to be treated completely. The second dose is generally administered two weeks after the first dose.

The doctor may also recommend tap water enemas to help flush out the pinworms and to reduce the symptoms of the infection. Reese’s Pinworm Medicine and piperazine are now rarely used due to their lower efficacy and a higher frequency of side effects when compared with mebendazole and albendazole.

Reinfection after completing drug therapy is common. Also there are drug-resistant strains of pinworms developing every year.

What to do before an appointment

Preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For pinworm infection, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What are the other possible causes of my symptoms, if I do not have pinworm?
  • Does the whole family need to be treated for pinworms?
  • How do I rid my home of pinworms?
  • How do I prevent reinfection?

What your doctor may ask you during the consultation

The doctor may ask the following questions during the course of a consultation trying to determine the cause of the symptoms:

  • When did the case of itching start?
  • Does it itch mostly at night or throughout the day?
  • Do any other members in the family experience the same symptoms?
  • Do the symptoms get better or worse for some reason?
  • Has your or your child had contact with anyone who you know to have pinworms?
  • Have you found any dead pinworms in your underwear, pajamas, or bedding?

Tapeworms vs. Pinworms: The difference

Both tapeworms and pinworms are common infections in the United States and around the world. It is easy to confuse them if one doesn’t observe the symptoms carefully. Laboratory testing, of course, will certainly help to identify the cause. But what are the differences between them in relation to cause, the host characteristics, symptoms and treatment? Here are some of the most common differences:

The difference in size and shape

Pinworms are thin and white and about as long as a staple. Tapeworms are flatworms that are ribbon-shaped and grow very long. Adult tapeworms are sometimes known to grow up to 30 feet, the length of a school bus. Infections by such tapeworms are very rare.

Characteristics of the Host

Pinworms affect only human beings whereas tapeworms affect pets also. Dogs commonly get it by ingesting fleas that may carry tapeworm larvae. Some of the symptoms of tapeworm infection in your beloved canine could be an irritation around their bottoms, causing them to scoot across the floor or lick their bottoms a lot. They may also lose a lot of weight quickly because of the tapeworm.

Differences between modes of infection

The infection route for the pinworm has already been described. The tapeworm is found in unhygienic conditions and around livestock, and people who eat raw or uncooked beef or pork are at a high risk of being infected by it. Tapeworms can live outside for months waiting for the host to come along.

Differences in symptoms after infection

Just like the pinworm, some people may have no symptoms at all of a tapeworm infection. Others may have stomach pain, weakness, or diarrhea, which help to distinguish it from pinworms. There is a change in appetite, much like a pinworm infection and the resulting loss of weight.

When you get tapeworms from eating raw pork, the eggs enter into the bloodstream and hatch in your tissues. Once inside the tissues, they form fluid-filled cysts. This process is called cysticercosis. Depending on where the cysts are formed and the extent of inflammation they cause, a range of symptoms have been reported. Some of them are visionary impairments, the formation of lumps on the skin, neurological changes, and seizures.

Differences in treatment methods

Over the counter, medicines are prescribed for pinworm infections and if possible the entire family is treated for pinworm to ensure non-recurrence. Tapeworms on the other hand sometimes just go away without any kind of treatment. In other cases, some medicines may be prescribed that kill the tapeworm or cause it to be removed from the body in your stools. In an infection that is caused by tapeworm cysts, the doctor needs to treat the symptoms that occur as a result of the infection and may also need to perform surgery to remove the cysts.

In a nutshell

Pinworms are a continuous menace if not properly done away with. Treatment is only effective if the means of prevention are just as robust. Children are most at risk of not only contracting the disease but also spreading it.  If proper personal hygiene is maintained by everyone, pinworms can be gotten rid of. The word ‘everyone’ is of most relevance here to prevent the recurrence of the disease.

 

Dos and Don'ts

Dos
  • Inform the doctor of any person who may have been a likely source of the pinworm.
 
  • Consult a doctor as soon as you feel mild itchiness around your perianal area when you try to sleep.
 
  • Take the tape test for pinworms and carry the results in for analysis.
Don'ts
  • Scratch the area around the anus even if you feel itchy.
  • Live in overcrowded spaces with poor hygiene. The infection can recur.

 

 

 

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Green, brown, & bitter: The instant advantages of including fenugreek in your diet Did you know the earliest usage of fenugreek can be traced back to the Egyptian civilization? Find out…
Okra: How can this nutrient-dense vegetable help you fight diabetes? Okra is a food which is rich in nutrients and minerals which are extremely essential for a healthy…
How can berberine supplements help you live longer and healthier? Berberine is a turmeric look-alike herbal extract that is credited with numerous health benefits ranging from diabetes cure…
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) test Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an enzyme that is found in every cell of the body and it plays…
stress depressed anxiety
Are you depressed or just stressed? Know when to see a doctor Why are some people more anxious than others? Is being depressed the same as feeling sad? Have you…
rosacea-treatment--before-_-after
The best and safest ways to treat rosacea Rosacea is a skin disease that is characterized by reddish hives and rashes on the face. Read more…
General adaptation syndrome: Understanding stress, one step at a time The struggle of the body to produce hormones during a stressful situation is the main theme of general…
Thyroid disorders
Thyroid Profile Thyroid profile is a panel of blood tests performed to check if an individual is suffering from any…
APL IgM Test
Antiphospholipid Antibody(APL)-IgM test The antiphospholipid antibodies are specific protein in the body directed against the phospholipids. It is used to detect…
alcohol toxic
7 startling facts that will make you quit alcohol today Does drinking really make you friendly and happy? How many calories does a can of cold beer add…
helping friend with depression
Support and care tips for helping people with depression Read to find out what is depression, its causes and symptoms. Also check out the steps describing how…
Blood Disorders cancer
Immunotherapy immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts the body's immune system to identify the cancer cells and fight cancer.
Lung cancer xray
Lobectomy Lobectomy is a surgery where a lobe of the diseased lung is removed. It is mainly done to…
heartfail_2
Open Heart Surgery An open heart surgery is a major procedure performed to treat heart diseases like congenital heart problem, heart…
DHEA wrinkles
DHEA: Now get unbelievable age defiance with this wonder hormone! DHEA is known popularly as the age-defying hormone. This supplement is widely used to slow down aging and…
BRAT Diet: What is the right way to follow this diarrhea-relieving diet? BRAT diet, a simple diet consisting of just bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, can help you combat the…
lipoprotein A
Lipoprotein (A) Test Lipoprotein (A) test is used to measure and monitor the levels of LDL(Low-Density Lipoprotein) in the bloodstream in…
Tart Cherry: The healthiest excuse for taking that second serving of pie Tart cherry has been traditionally used in delectable desserts such as pies. Recent studies have revealed that its…
Vitamin K2: 8 reasons why you need this bone-building & cancer-fighting nutrient Vitamin K2 is claimed to be essential for your bone health, for reducing the risk of cancer, and…
Jack in the box fast food
Jack In the Box : The perils of surging fast food culture in the USA Jack in the Box - How a culture of fast-food can clog your arteries, weaken your heart, fatten…
anti ds dna test
Anti Ds-DNA antibody Test The  Anti Ds-DNA antibody test is used to diagnose the disease called lupus or more aptly the SLE(Systematic…
Ca 19.9 test
CA19.9 Test CA 19.9 is a cancer antigen that exists on the surface of cancer-causing cells. The levels of CA…
Vagus nerve: 7 health benefits of stimulating the “gut-brain” connection As a matter of fact, there are two vagus nerves namely the left and the right but is…
Chest X-Ray A chest x-ray is a diagnostic test that uses x-rays to visualize the structures inside your chest. It…
CLA: A breakthrough weight loss supplement with minimal side effects Tried every weight loss supplement in the market with no substantial gain? Why not try CLA supplements, derived…
HSV-1_IGG
Herpes Simplex Virus I (HSV)-IgG Test Herpes simplex virus I(HSV)-IgG is an Immunoglobulin protein that acts as an antibody & stays in the blood…
What is Qigong and how can it help you channelize you inner “Qi”? Qigong is an integrated way of performing a traditional exercise regimen that can help in promoting health, mental…
Kava: Is it the healthy substitute for alcohol you have been waiting for? Native to the beautiful South Pacific islands, Kava is a famous beverage rooted in the local culture. It…
Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody (tTG) Test Transglutaminase is an enzyme present in our body and is involved in protein metabolism. A tTg test is…
6 arguments in favour of glucosamine and where can you find it Studies have shown that glucosamine works by preventing the breakdown of cartilage of the joints. This is usually…
xylitol gum
Xylitol : Is this the right sugar substitute for you? Discovered during World War 2 owing to sugar shortage, xylitol has become a common name in pharamaceutical industry.…
Cordyceps: How the Caterpillar fungus works as a proven cancer-shield Strange as it may sound, but cordyceps or "caterpillar fungus", a fungus variety native to the Himalayas may…
Bronchoscopy procedure
Bronchoscopy Bronchoscopy is a procedure where in a scope is inserted into the lung pathway to observe any growth…
Hydroquinone: Is it the best topical treatment for hyperpigmentation? Darkening of the skin due to high melanin levels is called hyperpigmentation.  Hydroquinone interferes with melanin production thus treating…
SIBO Diet: The important dos and don’ts of this gut-healing diet A SIBO diet is a diet that works by eliminating certain sugars from your diet and adding fibers…
Milk Thistle skin
Milk Thistle: Find possible cures for fatal diseases in these purple blooms Milk thistle is well-known for treating liver conditions. However, did you know that it comes with a plethora…
Tamarind: The top health benefits of this staple Asian ingredient Did you know this sweet and sour pulpy fruit does more than just add a tangy flavor to…
Hibiscus: Nourish your beauty and health with these vibrant blooms Hibiscus is a trumpet shaped flower found abundantly in tropical countries. It has been historically used for its…
Erythritol: A healthy sugar substitute or yet another marketing ploy? Erythritol is a popular choice of a healthy alternative sweetening agent in foods. But how healthy can a…
Trisodium Phosphate: How a paint thinner made its way into your breakfast Ever thought how toxic chemicals find their way into our foods? How can they harm our body? And…
folate test
Folate test The Folate test measures and monitors the levels of folic acid in the blood. This test is also…
Alp enzyme-test
ALP test – Alkaline Phosphate ALP or alkaline phosphate is an enzyme mainly produced by the liver and gallbladder. ALP test measures the…
iron deficiency profile
Iron Deficiency Profile An iron deficiency profile is a battery of blood tests which are performed in order to determine the…
antiHEV IgM test
Anti hepatitis E virus (Anti HEV) IgM Test Anti HEV IgM test determines the level of the IgM antibodies in the blood, The disease is often…
sodium chloride
Halotherapy: How inhaling salt can work wonders for your body Halotherapy is quickly gaining popularity amongst those with respiratory diseases. It has shown promise in its treatment.
Love tea, hate tannins? Rooibos tea is just what you need The market is brimming with a multitude of herbal teas. But what makes rooibos tea (or red bush)…

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