Pinworms. Introduction Pinworms are parasites that live in the rectum. Pinworms get inside the body when you swallow their eggs.

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1 Pinworms Introduction Pinworms are parasites that live in the rectum. Pinworms get inside the body when you swallow their eggs. While you sleep, the female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and deposit eggs on nearby skin. This can cause intense anal itching. School-age children and preschoolers are most likely to get pinworms. This reference summary explains the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of pinworm infections. Information about the treatment and prevention of pinworm infections is also included. Pinworms Pinworms are parasites about the length of a staple. They live in the colon and rectum. They are one of the most common worm infections in the world. Pinworms are even present in areas that have good sanitation practices. A parasite is an organism that lives on or in an organism of another species, which is known as a host. It gets its nourishment from the body of the host. Pinworms get inside the body when you swallow their eggs. The eggs may be carried on hands and surfaces such as: Bed linens. Clothing. Drinking glasses. Toilets. 1

2 People get pinworm infections from one another. You do not get them from pets. School-age children and preschoolers are most likely to get pinworms. Symptoms Many people with a pinworm infection have no symptoms at all. When symptoms are present, they are usually mild and barely noticeable. At night, while you sleep, the female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and deposit eggs on nearby skin. This can cause itching around the anus or vagina. Itching caused by pinworms may become very intense. It may interfere with sleep and make you irritable. Some people also experience abdominal pain that comes and goes, as well as nausea. Contact your health care provider if you have mild abdominal pain and any of the following symptoms: Insomnia. Irritability. Ongoing or severe anal or vaginal itching. In females, pinworms rarely may travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and the area around the pelvic organs. This can cause inflammation of the vagina and the inner lining of the uterus. A few people may experience weight loss if a large number of adult pinworms are living in the intestines. The parasites can cause abdominal pain and steal enough nutrients that you'll lose weight. Causes Pinworm infections are caused by an intestinal roundworm called Enterobius vermicularis. After being swallowed, pinworm eggs pass into the digestive system and hatch as larvae in the small intestine. The larvae Enterobius Vermicularis then move to the large intestine, where they mature into worms. They get the nutrients they need to survive by attaching their heads to the inside wall of the bowel. 2

3 One to 2 months after a person first ingests pinworm eggs, adult female pinworms begin moving from the large intestine to the area around the rectum. They lay new pinworm eggs near the rectum, which may cause itching. The eggs are moist and resistant to drying. You can expose yourself to the infective eggs by scratching the contaminated area. The eggs then attach to your fingertips and from there go into your mouth. When you swallow, the eggs travel to your intestines and the cycle starts all over again. The eggs also may be scattered into the air from bed linen and articles of clothing. They are capable of clinging to surfaces for up to 2 weeks. Some surfaces where the eggs may be found include: Bedding. Clothing. Doorknobs. Faucets. Furniture. Toys. Risk Factors There are certain factors that raise your risk for pinworm infections. These are known as risk factors. Not everybody with a risk factor will get a pinworm infection. Some people with no risk factors will get an infection. Risk factors for pinworm infections include: Being of young age. Living in a temperate climate. Living in crowded spaces. Most pinworm infections happen in children between the ages of 5 and 14. Pinworm eggs are microscopic and easily spread to family members, caregivers or other children at school or at child care centers. Although pinworms can be found all over the world, they are more common in areas that don't have tropical climates. People who live in crowded spaces have a higher risk of a pinworm infection. This includes dormitories, hospitals, child care centers and classrooms. 3

4 Diagnosis Diagnosis often begins with your health care provider asking you about your symptoms and medical history. He or she will also perform a physical exam. Your health care provider can diagnose a pinworm infection by simply finding the eggs. The most common way to collect the eggs involves swabbing the anal area with the sticky side of a piece of transparent cellophane tape. Your health care provider will then put the tape on a slide and look for the eggs under a microscope. Treatment for a pinworm infection begins after the health care provider identifies the eggs. Treatment If your health care provider prescribes medicine for this condition, everyone who lives in your house should take it. This is true even if other people in your home do not have symptoms. Medicines used to treat pinworm infection include mebendazole and pyrantel pamoate. These are the most useful medicines for treating pinworm infection. To relieve the intense itching that often happens with pinworm infection, your health care provider may also prescribe a soothing ointment or cream. These treatments can be applied directly to the itchy skin. Children are more likely to be re-infected outside the home (in a daycare setting, for example). In these cases, efforts to eliminate the eggs from the home are of little help. Prevention You can prevent a pinworm infection by practicing good hygiene. This section explains some of the ways to prevent a pinworm infection. To prevent pinworms, it is especially important to shower in the morning. This is because pinworms lay their eggs at night. Washing the anal area in the morning can help reduce the number of pinworms on your body. Taking a shower is best since it reduces the risk of eggs reattaching to the body while floating in bath water. 4

5 To prevent pinworms, you should also: Avoid nail biting. Avoid scratching the anal area. Change underwear every day to remove eggs. Clean toilet seats daily. Wash night clothes and bed sheets often and with hot water. Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers. Summary Pinworms are parasites that live in the rectum. Pinworms get inside the body when you swallow their eggs. Female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus while you sleep and deposit eggs on nearby skin. Many people with pinworm infection have no symptoms at all. When symptoms are present, the most common symptom is intense itching around the anus or vagina. Some people also experience abdominal pain that comes and goes, as well as nausea. School-age children and preschoolers are most likely to get pinworms. Other at-risk people include people living in crowded spaces and people living in areas with a temperate climate. Your health care provider can diagnose a pinworm infection by simply finding the eggs. If your health care provider prescribes medicine for this condition, everyone who lives in your house should take it. This is true even if other people in your home do not have symptoms. You can prevent a pinworm infection by practicing good hygiene. It is especially important to shower in the morning because pinworms lay their eggs at night. A shower works better at preventing a pinworm infection than a bath. 5