What is Pinworm Infection?
A pinworm infection additionally called infection or oxyuriasis, is one in every of the foremost common kinds of human internal organ worm infections within the United States. Threadworms are white, slim worms which will direct size from eight to 13Trusted supply millimeters for females and a pair of to five millimeters for males.
Pinworm infections can unfold easily. They most typically occur in school-aged kids and other people who board shut quarters (such as institutions). They also occur typically in people who have regular, close contact with people in these groups.
Medication can effectively treat pinworm infections, though reinfection is possible. Serious complications and long health effects are rare.
Learn a lot concerning the signs of a threadworm infection and a few steps required to stop pinworm infection.Pinworms, additionally called threadworms, are parasitic worms that board the intestines and rectums of infected people. Pinworms are tiny and skinny (about ¼ in. to ½ inch long), and white or lightweight gray.The pinworm infection is termed enterobiasis. It's the foremost common form of worm infection within the United States. Though a pinworm infection will have to be treated, it always doesn’t cause any serious medical problems.
Threadworm infections are terribly common, affecting about one billion folks worldwide.
folks of all ages will become infected with pinworms, however the infections are found most frequently in kids. Caregivers and members of the family of infected children have a better risk of infection.
Day care centers, preschools, and colleges are often the supply of a pinworm infection. Those that board establishments are usually laid low with pinworms.
Explanation of medical terms and concept Pinworm infection
Pinworm infection is the most typical form of internal organ worm infection within the US and one in all the foremost common worldwide. nematodes are skinny and white, mensuration regarding 1/4 to 1/2 in. (about six to thirteen millimeters) in length. whereas the infected person sleeps, feminine pinworms lay thousands of eggs in the folds of skin close to the anus. the general public infected with pinworms haven't any symptoms, however some people expertise anal haptic sensation and restless sleep. Pinworm infection happens most frequently in school-age children, and therefore the small (microscopic) eggs simply unfold from child to child. Treatment involves oral medication that kills the pinworms and thorough laundry of pajamas, bedding and underwear. For best results, the complete family ought to be treated. Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) are tiny white thread-like worms that live in the large intestine These parasites can be passed from person to person through the sharing of eating utensils and personal items like bedding and clothing They can also be picked up from contaminated food or surfaces Once inside the host's body pinworms move around and lay eggs on the walls of your intestines Most people with pinworms don't even realize they have them until they begin to itch around their bottoms as a result of the female pinworm laying eggs near the anus causing severe itching that results in scratching at night while sleeping or sitting on contaminated.
Symptoms Pinworm infection
Pinworm infection (called infestation or oxyuriasis) causes cutaneous sensation round the arsehole which might cause issues with sleeping and restlessness. Symptoms are caused by the feminine nematode that gives birth to her eggs. Symptoms of pinworm infection typically are gentle and a few infected folks haven't any 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 Pinworm infection
Accidentally swallowing or inhaling nematode worm eggs causes a pinworm infection. The small (microscopic) eggs are carried to your mouth by contaminated food, drink or your fingers. Once swallowed, the eggs hatch within the intestines and mature into adult worms at intervals a couple of weeks. feminine pinworms move to the anal space to get their eggs, which frequently leads to anal itching. Once you scratch the unquiet area, the eggs hold your fingers and find beneath your fingernails. The eggs then get transferred to alternative surfaces, cherish toys, bedding or bathroom seats. The eggs will also be transferred from contaminated fingers to food, liquids, garments or alternative people. nematode worm eggs will survive for 2 to 3 weeks on surfaces.
Risk factors Pinworm infection
Risk factors for pinworm infection include:
Being young. Pinworm infections are presumably to occur in kids ages five to 10. The small (microscopic) eggs are simply unfold to family members, caregivers, or alternative kidren in class or child care centers. Nematode 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 nematode worm infections don't cause serious issues. In rare circumstances, serious infestations can cause infection of feminine genitals. The parasite can travel from the anal space up the channel to the female internal reproductive organ, fallopian tubes and round the girdle organs. This could cause problems with 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 will hold tight surfaces, as well as toys, faucets, bedding and bathroom seats, for 2 weeks. thus besides regular improvement of surfaces, strategies to assist prevent the unfold of threadworm eggs or to stop reinfection include:
Wash in the morning. Because Enterobius vermiculariss lay their eggs at night, laundry the anal space within the morning will facilitate scale back the quantity of pinworm eggs on your body. Showering could help avoid potential re-contamination in tub 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 kid' fingernails thus there' less area for eggs to collect. counsel 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.
Diagnosis Pinworm infection
Itching throughout the night in a very child’s opening space powerfully suggests roundworm infection. designation is formed by distinguishing the worm or its eggs. Worms will typically be seen on the skin close to the asshole or on underclothing, pajamas, or sheets concerning two to three hours when falling asleep. Roundworm eggs will be collected and examined for the “tape test '' shortly because the person wakes up. This “test” is finished by firmly pressing the adhesive facet of clear, clear plastic wrap tape to the skin around the anus. The eggs continue the tape and therefore the tape can be placed on a slide and checked out below a microscope. As a result of washing/bathing or having a movement will take away eggs from the skin, this check ought to be done shortly because the person wakes up within the morning before they wash, bathe, attend the toilet, or get dressed. The “tape test” should be done on 3 consecutive mornings to extend the prospect of finding roundworm eggs. as a result of cutaneous sensation and scratching of the anal space is common in pinworm infection, samples taken from under the fingernails may contain eggs. Roundworm eggs seldom are found in routine stool or pee samples.Your doctor can ensure the presence of pinworms by distinguishing the worms or eggs. to assist your doctor build a diagnosis, you'll perform the tape check. As shortly because the person you believe has pinworms wakes up and before he or she uses the toilet, washes or gets dressed, press the adhesive facet of a bit of clear tape to the skin around the anus. The eggs continue the tape. For best results, perform the tape test 3 days in a row, then take the items of tape to your doctor. Your doctor will consider the tape below a magnifier to envision if there are any roundworm eggs.
Treatment Pinworm infection
Pinworms are often treated with either prescription or over-the-counter medications. A health care supplier ought to be consulted before treating a suspected case of threadworm infection. Treatment involves 2 doses of medication with the second dose being given two weeks once the primary dose. All unit contacts and caretakers of the infected person should be treated at a similar time. Reinfection will occur simply therefore strict observance of fine hand hygiene is important (e.g. correct handwashing, maintaining clean short fingernails, avoiding nail biting, avoiding scratching the orifice area). Daily morning bathing and daily dynamical underwear removes an outsized proportion of eggs. Showering is also most popular to avoid attainable contamination of tub water. Careful handling and frequent dynamics of underclothing, night clothes, towels, and bedding will help cut back infection, reinfection, and environmental contamination with threadworm eggs. these things ought to be laundered in hot water, particularly once every treatment of the infected person and after each usage of washcloths till infection is cleared.To treat pinworm infection, your doctor could suggest over-the-counter pyrantel pamoate or dictate medication to any or all members of your unit to stop infection and reinfection.
The most common prescription anti-parasite medications for pinworms are:
Mebendazole
Albendazole (Albenza)
You may have mild gastrointestinal side effects during the course of treatment, and you often need to take at least two doses to get rid of the pinworms completely.
Preparing for your appointment
When you decide to form an associate appointment, raise concerns about playing the tape check. The test involves pressing the adhesive facet of a chunk of clear tape to the skin round the opening of the person you believe has threadworms as before long because the person awakens. The eggs stick with the tape. You then take the tape to your appointment therefore the doctor will search for pinworms or eggs beneath a microscope. Making an inventory of queries can assist you make the foremost of it slow together with your doctor. For pinworm infection, some basic questions to raise include:
If I don't have a pinworm infection, what are other possible causes of my symptoms?
If one family member has pinworms, does the whole family need to be treated?
How do I rid my home of pinworms?
How do I prevent reinfection?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask a number of questions during your appointment, including:
When did the itching start?
Does it occur mostly at night?
Is there anything that makes the symptoms better or worse?
Do other family members have similar symptoms?
Do you know if you or your child has had contact with someone who has pinworms?
Have you found any dead worms in pajamas, underwear or in the toilet?
What you can do in the meantime
If you have anal itching, try not to scratch.
General summary
What kills pinworms in the body?
The only way to kill pinworms in the body is to kill them before they reach maturity You can do this by using over-the-counter medication that is specifically for killing pinworms You'll need a prescription from your doctor if you're under age 12 or if the infection is so severe that you are vomiting and unable to take medicine by mouth.
Can pinworms go away on their own?
Pinworms (Threadworms) are a common cause of itchy rectal itching Pinworm eggs are passed in stool and hatch in warm moist places where the female pinworm lives These include children's underclothes pajamas sheets and blankets The only treatment is to use medication to kill the adult worms that are living inside your child's rectum.
How do I check myself for pinworms?
First locate the first and second rectal folds This is the area between your anus and scrotum or vagina Next insert a finger about one-half to one inch into your rectum and feel around for pinworms or "seed ticks." If you do not feel anything unusual when you are in this position insert another finger into your rectum while you are looking at yourself in a mirror.
Can pinworms go to your brain?
Pinworms are the most common worm infection in humans The adult pinworm is visible to the human eye measuring about a quarter inch long and can live up to 30 days These worms lay eggs that become adults in about a month Pinworms can live in other warm-blooded animals as well including dogs cats and even birds The most common way people get pinworms is by ingesting food or drink contaminated with pinworm eggs or larvae.
What foods cause pinworms?
Pinworms are the most common types of worms that infect humans These tiny parasites are transmitted by contact with contaminated hands and objects fecal matter or infected people They can also be transferred to other people through food especially eggs and meat products such as pork The most common symptoms of pinworms include itching around the anus general discomfort and feelings of fatigue It is important to seek medical attention when infection with pinworms occurs because the condition can lead to complications in some individuals.