Darrick Robles A pinworm infection is a contagious infection that causes itching in the anus. Most affected are children who have gotten eggs of the worm on their hands and put their fingers in their mouths. The eggs develop into larvae and worms in the abdomen and intestines. When they reach the rectum, the worms lay new eggs before dying. The eggs can reinfect the child if they get back into the mouth.
The main way to stop the infection is through careful hygiene. If the child does not have worm eggs on the hands that are in contact with the mouth, the cycle of infection is broken. Otherwise, treatment with medication may be necessary. The treatment is usually repeated after two weeks because the drugs only affect larvae and worms – the eggs can survive longer.
General information about pinworms
When talking about pinworms, people colloquially speak of “worms in the stomach”. 10 to 30 percent of preschool children will eventually get a pinworm infection, but adults can also be affected. The worm can appear very unpleasant or gross, but it is completely harmless.
Pinworm eggs are found, for example, in dust, in textiles and in the fur of pets. The animals cannot become infected, but the eggs can get stuck in the fur. The eggs are difficult to spot, but sometimes you can see white dots a millimeter in size.
Sometimes the worms are contained in the stool. You can see them with the naked eye – pinworms are yellow-white, thin, and 5 to 13 millimeters long. The number of pinworms during an infection varies widely, from a few to several hundred.
Symptoms of pinworm infection
The symptoms of a pinworm infection are not always clear. You can get infected without getting any symptoms. If you get symptoms, it is usually an itchy anus . Redness can also appear in the areas of the anus where the worms laid their eggs. The itching is often stronger in the evening and at night – the worms are particularly active in the warmth of the bed. Since the vaginal opening is near the anus, the pinworm can also cause itching and swelling there.
Children infested with pinworms often have trouble sleeping. Young children can show that they have a problem by kicking their legs or by buttocks.
Usual Symptoms:
- Itching and reddening of the anus
- Itching and swelling at the vaginal opening
- small, yellow-white worms on the anus or in the stool
Other possible explanations
Itchy anus can be caused by things other than pinworms. There are other types of worm infections, such as those caused by dishworms, whipworms, or scratchworms.
If you can’t see worms, it could also be eczema , a yeast infection, a cracked anus, or hemorrhoids . Scabies are tiny, spider-like parasites that invade the skin. They can get stuck anywhere – often on the wrist, between fingers and toes, and sometimes in the buttocks.
Causes of pinworm infections
Pinworms spread via the worm’s eggs. For example, the eggs can stick to fingers, toys, textiles, dust or animal fur. If you get the eggs in your mouth, they will develop into worms.
The life cycle of a pinworm from egg to adult can take over a month. The eggs can survive outside the body for several weeks. When the eggs get into the mouth, they develop into adult worms in the digestive tract in three to four weeks. The pinworm then lays new eggs in the anus before dying.
Children with pinworms can reinfect themselves if they scratch their bottom and then put their fingers in their mouths. Or they ingest eggs, for example via pets or textiles.
Treatment of pinworm infection
Pinworms are usually seen on the anus. But if you are unsure, a so-called adhesive strip test on the anal area can provide a reliable diagnosis.
Pinworms are primarily treated with careful hygiene to get hands and your surroundings free of the eggs. This breaks the cycle of infection. Washing hands is very important. Also keep your home clean and wash the textiles to get rid of the worm eggs.
If the hygiene measures are not sufficient – for example in the case of repeated infections in the family or major outbreaks of pinworm infections in the daycare center – treatment with medication may be necessary. The drugs render worms and larvae harmless in a few days. The treatment is usually repeated after two weeks because the pinworm medication only affects larvae and worms – the eggs can survive for another two to three weeks.
Because itching in the anus can sometimes have other causes, you should only be treated with pinworm medication if you have seen worms yourself or if samples examined under a microscope show eggs or worms are present.
What to do with a pinworm infection?
To prevent and treat pinworms, wash your hands often and maintain good hygiene in your home. It’s about getting rid of the worms and the eggs. For example, wash towels, bedding, and underwear at 60 degrees because the eggs can survive in colder temperatures.
To reduce the risk of infection:
- wash hands often with liquid soap and dry them with paper towels
- change panties and pajama bottoms every day
- change sheets and towels every day
- change and wash children’s clothes as soon as they get home from school or daycare
- careful vacuuming and dusting is necessary, especially in the bathroom and bedroom
- clean the toilet and hand basin every day
- wash textiles and stuffed animals at 60 degrees
- wash pets, if you have them, because the eggs can also be lodged in their fur.
Children with pinworms do not need to be released from daycare or school. However, certain communities and daycare centers may have their own policies on pinworms. It is best to inform the staff at the day care center or school if your child has pinworms.
When to seek medical help
If your child has symptoms that don’t go away despite careful hygiene, you should consult a doctor. This also applies to repeated pinworm infections or if you have seen worms that look different.
Always see a doctor if you or your child have mucus or blood in their stools , whether with or without symptoms of pinworm infection.
Here’s how Med-Healths can help you
You can contact us at Med-Healths if you need help with a pinworm infestation. Our doctors and paediatricians make an individual assessment based on your symptoms or those of your child and the findings of the examination. You may receive medication afterward or be referred for further medical care.
Remember: If your child has the symptoms, they must be present at the doctor’s appointment.
