Pinworm infection: symptoms, causes and treatment

Understanding pinworms

Pinworms or Enterobius vermicularis is a small parasite that can live in the large intestine and rectum of humans.

Humans can become infected with pinworms after eating worm eggs. The eggs will then hatch in the large intestine, causing symptoms of pinworm infection. The disease caused by this type of worm infection is called enterobiasis.

While sleeping, female worms will leave the intestine and go to the anus to lay their eggs in the skin around the anus. When you go to the toilet and don't wash your hands thoroughly, eggs can stick to your hands and spread to other people. Eggs can survive on the surface of objects for up to 2 weeks daily.

Pinworm infection occurs most often in school-age children because the tiny eggs are easily spread among children. The treatment for this condition is oral medications that kill worms and maintain good hygiene. All affected family members must also be treated so that the treatment results are as expected.

How common is this condition?

Pinworm infection is a disease that is very common. Can occur in men and women and usually occurs at the age of 5-14 years.

This can be managed by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Symptoms of a pinworm infection

Symptoms of infection Enterobius vermicularis the most common is itching around the anus (especially at night). Other symptoms include:

• Skin irritation around the anus
• Hard to sleep
• Gritting your teeth while sleeping
• Itching in the vaginal area
• Stomach pain and nausea

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Call your doctor if you or your child has itchy skin in the anal or vaginal area and you want to scratch it.

Ask the doctor if your child has trouble sleeping and bed-wetting because of this problem because pinworms can irritate the urethra and cause the incontinence.

Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Causes of pinworm infection

Pinworm infection is caused by a parasite called Enterobius vermicularis measuring the length of the staple. Enterobius vermicularis it is contagious if you touch the anus and then touch food or objects in the house.

Enterobius vermicularis cannot spread through animals. Humans are the only host for this worm.

Ways of spread and transmission of pinworm infection

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, swallowing or inhaling eggs Enterobius vermicularis accidentally can cause worm infections.

Very small eggs can be swallowed through contaminated food, drink, or your hands. Once ingested, the eggs hatch in the intestines, mature, and become adult worms within a few weeks.

Enterobius vermicularis The female moves to the anal area to lay eggs, causing you to experience anal itching. When you scratch the itchy area, the tiny eggs will stick to your fingers and get under your nails.

The eggs will then move to other surfaces, such as toys, sheets, or chairs. Very small eggs can also migrate from contaminated fingers to food, liquids, clothing, or other people.

Can transmission occur in swimming pools?

According to the website of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, pinworm infections rarely spread in swimming pools. This infection occurs when a person swallows worm eggs that are taken from a contaminated surface.

Even though the chlorine levels found in the pool are not high enough to kill worm eggs, the chances of you getting an infection from activity in the pool are still small. This is because the ratio of the number of eggs to the water in the pond is too far away.

Risk factors

Everyone can get this type of worm infection. However, there are many factors that can increase a person's risk of getting worm infections Enterobius vermicularis, that is:

• Age
  Pinworms often occur in children aged 5-14 years. Worm eggs easily spread to family members, or other children at school or child care centers. However, this condition rarely occurs in children under 2 years of age.
• Live in a crowded place
  Dense settlements tend to have a poor sanitation system, so that people are easily infected with various diseases, including worms.
• Living in a tropical climateMany cases of worm infection are found in warm climates, such as countries in Southeast Asia.

Complications of pinworm infection

Usually, a pinworm infection will not cause any serious problems. However, in rare conditions, this condition can cause infection of the female genitals.

Parasites can travel from the anal area to the vagina, then to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and around the pelvic organs. This can cause problems, such as inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis) and inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometritis).

Although rare, other complications of this condition also include:

• Urinary tract infection
• Weight loss

Diagnosis and treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

The worms often spread to the anus and lay their eggs at night. That is why it is best done a few hours before going to bed or when the child wakes up in the morning. Parents can use a flashlight to see more clearly.

Your doctor can help diagnose pinworms by placing a tape on the anal skin and then removing it. Worms can stick to the tape and can be seen using a magnifying glass or microscope. This check should also be done in the morning before showering or going to the toilet.

What are my treatment options for pinworm infection?

Your doctor will ask you and your family members to take deworming medicine to avoid transmission. Creams or moisturizers can be given to reduce itching and discomfort.

Enterobius vermicularis will die within a few days of taking the deworming medicine and the itching will disappear after 1 week.

Anti-parasitic drugs to treat infections Enterobius vermicularis which doctors commonly prescribe are:

• Mebendazole
• Albendazole (Albenza)

You may experience the side effects of deworming and minor stomach problems during treatment. You need to take two doses to get rid of pinworm completely.

Home treatment of pinworm infections

During the treatment period, you should not bathe with your children and share towels together. Changing towels, underwear, and blankets regularly can help the treatment process.

Family members should wash their hands and clean their nails regularly. You should shower every day and clean the anal area properly. Do not put your hands or other objects in your mouth as worm eggs can be transmitted in this way.

Use hot water to wash dishes, cutlery, clothes, bed linen and towels. Children's toys should be cleaned using a disinfectant.

There is no recent scientific research that supports home remedies against pinworm infections. However, some people may find relief from using raw garlic, coconut oil, or carrots.

Pinworm infection prevention

Pinworm eggs can stick to surfaces, including toys, taps, beds, and toilet seats, for up to two weeks.

So, apart from cleaning the surface regularly, you can take the following steps to help prevent the spread of pinworm eggs.

• Washing the rectum in the morning. Wash your rectal area in the morning because pinworms lay their eggs at night. Bathing can help avoid possible contamination in the bath water.
• Change underwear and sheets regularly. This step can get rid of worm eggs.
• Wash with hot water. Wash sheets, underwear, washcloths, and towels in hot water to help kill worm eggs.
• Don't scratch. Avoid scratching the anal area. Trim nails for both you and your child, so that they leave no room for worm eggs. Also avoid biting your nails.
• Wash your hands. To reduce the risk of catching or spreading infection, wash your hands after defecating, changing diapers, and before eating.

The best way to prevent pinworm infection is to keep household hygiene. You also need to remind your children to do the same.