Pinworm infection Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Pinworm Infection ?

It is a type of intestinal worm infection. Pinworms appear to be thin and white in color, measuring around 6-13 millimeters in length. In the skin folds encompassing the anus, the female pinworms tend to lay countless of eggs while an infection individual is asleep. Many individuals develop no apparent signs of pinworm, though some faces:

Restless sleep.
Anal itching.

School-age children are the common victims of pinworm, whilst the minute eggs easily spread from a child to another. In addition to this, treatment of pinworm infection involves oral medicines that help to counter the pinworms, besides; thorough washing of underwear and bed sheets is also important. To attain best results, ensure your whole family is treated.

What Are The Symptoms Of Pinworm Infection ?

Indications of pinworm infection can include the following:

Restlessness, irritability and insomnia.
Intermittent abdominal pain.
Itching of the vaginal or anal area.
Nausea.

As mentioned earlier, few individuals with pinworms can have no indications at all.

When Is The Right Time To Seek Medical Assistance ?

It is better to consult a health care provider, in case of the following situations:

Insomnia accompanied with abdominal pain.
Continuous or intense vaginal or anal itching.

What Causes Pinworm Infection ?

The infection is known to arise when someone accidentally swallow the eggs of pinworms. This is possible through consuming contaminated water or food. After being swallowed, the pinworm eggs tend to hatch within your intestines, and later mature, turning into adult worms.

In addition to this, the female pinworms move to your anal area, a place where they lay eggs. This can cause anal itching. Moreover, scratching this area causes the eggs to stick to your fingers. These eggs then shift under your fingernails.

Indeed, these eggs are now free enough to reach other surfaces, for example bedclothes or toys. Moreover, these eggs can also reach food, water, clothes etc while you touch these with your contaminated fingers.

These eggs can manage to survive for at least 14-21 days on surfaces. One can get infected, in case he or she consumes the contaminated drink or food. Or by touching the contaminated item, and later touching the mouth.

What Are The Complications Of Pinworm Infection ?

Normally, pinworm infections do not lead to any serious complication, though in few cases, heavy infestation can result in:

Weight loss.
Infection of female genitals.

How Is Pinworm Infection Diagnosed ?

The health care provider can verify the presence of pinworms simply by spotting the eggs or worms. To help him or her detect precisely, the patient can conduct the tape test him or herself.

How Is Pinworm Infection Treated ?

For mild cases, or for someone with no apparent signs, treatment is not necessary. In case the doctor feels the need for treatment, he or she can prescribe drugs for all the family members to avert infection, as well as its recurrence. Common anti-parasite drugs used for pinworms tend to include: