Symptoms
Pinworms infections are highly contagious. You become infected with pinworms by unintentionally ingesting or inhaling pinworm eggs. These eggs are usually deposited onto a surface or object by a person who’s been infected. The cycle of infection begins with the ingestion of these microscopic eggs.
Causes
Pinworm infection is the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the United States and one of the most common worldwide.
Prevention
Symptoms of pinworm infection usually are mild and some infected people have no symptoms. Who is at risk for pinworm infection? Pinworm infection occurs worldwide and affects persons of all ages and socioeconomic levels. It is the most common worm infection in the United States. Pinworm infection occurs most commonly among
Complications
Once hatched, the female pinworms make their way to the anus to lay their eggs. Pinworm eggs can survive for 2-3 weeks on fingers, under fingernails, and on surfaces such as linens, clothing or toilet seats. The tiny eggs can only be seen under a microscope. Can you get pinworms without being around an infected person? Yes.
Are pinworms contagious?
What is pinworm infection?
Who is at risk for pinworm infection?
How long can pinworms live without being around?
Can pinworms spread from person to person?
How is pinworm infection spread? Pinworm infection is spread by the fecal-oral route, that is by the transfer of infective pinworm eggs from the anus to someone's mouth, either directly by hand or indirectly through contaminated clothing, bedding, food, or other articles.
How long is a person with pinworms contagious?
When and for how long is a person able to spread the disease? A person will remain infectious for as long as there are worms laying eggs on the skin around his or her rectum. Pinworm eggs can remain infectious in an indoor environment for two to three weeks.
How easily are pinworms spread?
Pinworms spread easily. When people who are infected touch their anus, the eggs attach to their fingertips. They can spread the eggs to others directly through their hands, or through contaminated clothing, bedding, food, or other articles. The eggs can live on household surfaces for up to 2 weeks.
Can pinworms give you a disease?
Typical pinworm infections don't cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of female genitals. The parasite can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes and around the pelvic organs.
How do I clean my house after pinworms?
Living with pinworm infectionWash all the sheets, blankets, towels, and clothing in the house in hot water.Carefully clean everyone's fingernails (which may hold the worm eggs) and cut them short.Scrub toys, countertops, floors, and other surfaces the infected child has touched.Vacuum carpets.
What is the fastest way to get rid of pinworms?
Pinworms can usually be treated completely with two doses of over-the-counter medicine called pyrantel pamoate, available in the United States under the brand names Pin-X and Reese's Pinworm Medicine. Take one dose immediately and another dose two weeks later.
What will happen if pinworms are not treated?
Most people don't experience serious complications from pinworm infections, but in rare cases the following complications can occur: Urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs can develop if you do not treat the pinworm infection. Vaginitis and endometritis.
Can pinworms go through clothing?
Pinworm eggs can also be transferred to the fingers from clothing or bedding, and then spread around the home. Eggs may be inhaled from the air or deposited onto food and swallowed. Pinworms can survive up to two weeks on clothing, bedding or other objects, if kept at room temperature.
Do pinworms come out every night?
So many of us or our family members have experienced this relatively mild though distressing infection. Pinworm is the most common worm infection in North America with up to 50% of some groups of school aged children getting infected.
Do pinworms go away?
Threadworms do not go away by themselves, and people do not build up immunity to them, so they must be treated in order to eradicate them totally from the body.
Why do I keep getting pinworms?
You get pinworms by accidentally swallowing or breathing in their eggs. You could eat or drink something that's contaminated with them and not know it. The eggs can also live on surfaces like clothing, bedding, or other objects.
How long do female pinworms live?
vermicularis (see sidebar). The common residence of the adult pinworm is the large intestine, where it attaches to the cecum and appendix. Following mating, the gravid female must lay as many as 16,000 eggs. They live for an average of eight to 13 weeks.
Should you stay home if you have pinworms?
Pinworms are highly contagious. Many people are infected and have no symptoms at all. For this reason, it is recommended that the entire household be treated regardless of symptoms. Children suspected of having pinworms should not go to school until they have been treated.
How do I know if the pinworms are gone?
Your doctor will give you some medicine to take right away and then again 2 weeks later to be sure the worms are gone. The doctor can also give you a cream to help stop the itching. Because it's easy to pass pinworms on to other people, the doctor may want the other people in your house to take medicine, too.
Can my child go to daycare with pinworms?
Children with pinworms do not need to miss any child care or school.
How long do you have pinworms before you have symptoms?
How long after exposure do symptoms begin? Two to six weeks.
Who Gets Pinworm Infection?
Pinworm is the most common worm infection in the United States. School-age children, followed by preschoolers, have the highest rates of infection....
What Are The Symptoms of A Pinworm Infection?
Pinworm infection may cause: 1. Itching around the anal area, difficulty sleeping and irritability. 2. If it is a severe infection, symptoms may in...
How Does Someone Get Pinworms?
Pinworms are spread when an infected person, most often a child, has scratched his/her bare anal area and the eggs get under his/her fingernails. P...
How Is A Diagnosis of Pinworm Infection Made?
Finding the female worm or the eggs confirms the diagnosis of pinworms. To find a female worm: 1. At night, the adult worms can sometimes be seen d...
How Is A Pinworm Infection Treated?
Treating pinworms involves either prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Consult a health care provider before treating a suspected pinworm infect...
How Can Pinworm Infection and Reinfection Be Prevented?
1. Wash hands and under fingernails frequently. 2. Encourage children to avoid scratching their bare anal areas. 3. • Pinworm eggs continue to be p...
What If The Pinworm Infection Occurs Again?
If infection occurs again, consult your health care provider. In some cases, it may be necessary to treat the patient and close family contacts mor...
What are pinworms?
Pinworms are white, parasitic worms that can live in the large intestine of humans . They are about one-half inch long. While the infected person sleeps, female pinworms leave the intestinal tract and lay their eggs on the skin around the anus. The eggs are laid in a sticky, jelly-like substance that, along with the wriggling of the female pinworm, causes severe itching.
Who gets pinworm infection?
Pinworm is the most common worm infection in the United States. School-age children, followed by preschoolers, have the highest rates of infection. Cases of pinworm infection are seen most often at schools, daycare centers and other institutional settings.
How is a diagnosis of pinworm infection made?
Finding the female worm or the eggs confirms the diagnosis of pinworms . To find a female worm:
How is a pinworm infection treated?
Treating pinworms involves either prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Consult a health care provider before treating a suspected pinworm infection. Follow these treatment steps:
How does someone get pinworms?
Pinworms are spread when an infected person, most often a child, has scratched his/her bare anal area and the eggs get under his/her fingernails. Pinworms can then be spread in the following ways:
How long do pinworms live?
Eggs may be inhaled from the air or deposited onto food and swallowed. Pinworms can survive up to two weeks on clothing, bedding or other objects, if kept at room temperature. The eggs may hatch while still attached to the skin around the anus.
How to tell if a worm is a worm?
Finding a worm confirms the diagnosis. If adult worms are not visible, conduct a tape test in the morning. Apply a piece of transparent tape against the folds of skin around the anus to pick up any eggs or worms. Seal in a plastic bag.
What is a pinworm infection?
What’s a pinworm infection? A pinworm infection is one of the most common types of human intestinal worm infections. Pinworms are tiny, narrow worms. They’re white in color and less than a half-inch long. Pinworm infections are also known as enterobiasis or oxyuriasis.
Who is more susceptible to pinworm?
While anyone can get a pinworm infection, the following groups are more susceptible: children who attend day care, preschool, or elementary school. family members or caregivers of people who have been infected. individuals who live in institutions or other crowded accommodations, such as dormitories.
How long do pinworm eggs live on your hands?
The eggs can survive for several hours on your hands. If a person who’s been infected touches household objects like bedding, clothing, toilet seats, or toys, the eggs will transfer to these objects. Pinworm eggs can survive on these contaminated surfaces for up to three weeks.
How do you get pinworms?
You become infected with pinworms by unintentionally ingesting or inhaling pinworm eggs. These eggs are usually deposited onto a surface or object by a person who’s been infected. The cycle of infection begins with the ingestion of these microscopic eggs.
Why do pinworms spread easily?
Children transfer pinworm eggs easily because they may put infected toys or other objects directly into their mouths. The eggs can also transfer from contaminated fingers directly to food or liquids.
What is the most common type of worm infection?
Pinworm infections are also known as enterobiasis or oxyuriasis. They’re the most common type of human worm infection in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pinworm infections can spread easily. They’re most common in children between the ages of 5 and 10, people who live in institutions, ...
What is the best medicine for pinworms?
The most common and effective medications to treat pinworm infection are: mebendazole (Vermox) albendazole (Albenza) pyrantel pamoate (Reese’s Pinworm Medicine) One course of medication usually involves an initial dose, followed by a second dose two to three weeks later.
What is a pinworm infection?from healthline.com
What’s a pinworm infection? A pinworm infection is one of the most common types of human intestinal worm infections. Pinworms are tiny, narrow worms. They’re white in color and less than a half-inch long. Pinworm infections are also known as enterobiasis or oxyuriasis.
How to treat Enterobius vermicularis?from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Enterobius vermicularis infection is usually treated by the primary care nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or primary care physician. Pharmacists have a role in explaining to the patients the side effects of these medications used to treat pinworms as one of the drugs, pyrantel pamoate is available over the counter in the United States. School nurses should also be aware of the manifestations of pinworm infection to prevent their spread in the schools and daycares.[6] Patient education is vital in a coordinated approach by nurses, pharmacists, and clinicians. Parents and caregivers need to be told that all clothes, linen, and towels must be washed with soap and hot water. Hand washing and good hygiene must be practiced at all times. A coordinated team approach to care and followup will provide the best results. [Level V]
What is the best medicine for pinworms?from my.clevelandclinic.org
The medications used to treat pinworms are: Pyrantel pamoate. Mebendazole. Albendazole. Pyrantel pamoate is the medication most commonly used to treat pinworms.
What is the name of the worm that produces an asymptomatic apnea?from sciencedirect.com
Enterobius vermicularis . Enterobius vermicularis, or pinworm, produces an enterobiasis that is frequently asymptomatic. The most typical symptom is perianal pruritus, especially at night, when the worms migrate and become more active. Other symptoms include anorexia, irritability, and abdominal pain.
How do pinworms get their eggs?from sciencedirect.com
Enterobiasis (pinworms, Enterobius vermicularis) and trichuriasis (whipworms, Trichuris trichiura) can be acquired through environmental contact with soil or food contaminated with eggs . The infective eggs are ingested, and the larvae hatch within the small intestine. The adult worms live in the cecum and ascending colon.
How to keep pinworms from spreading?from healthline.com
Avoid shaking clothing and bedding to keep pinworm eggs from spreading into the air. Don’t allow children to bathe together, as this can cause pinworm eggs to spread in the bath water. Thoroughly clean any surfaces that may be infected, including toys, floors, countertops, and toilet seats.
What is the most common type of worm infection?from healthline.com
Pinworm infections are also known as enterobiasis or oxyuriasis. They’re the most common type of human worm infection in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pinworm infections can spread easily. They’re most common in children between the ages of 5 and 10, people who live in institutions, ...
What is pinworm?
Pinworms, also known as threadworms, are tiny white or light gray worms that cause the common infection called enterobiasis. Usually found in children, pinworm can be treated with anti-parasitic medications that do not require a prescription.
How common is pinworm?
Pinworm infections are very common, affecting approximately 1 billion people worldwide .
What is the best medicine for pinworms?
The medications used to treat pinworms are: Pyrantel pamoate. Mebendazole. Albendazole. Pyrantel pamoate is the medication most commonly used to treat pinworms.
How long do pinworm eggs live?
Once hatched, the female pinworms make their way to the anus to lay their eggs. Pinworm eggs can survive for 2-3 weeks on fingers, under fingernails, and on surfaces such as linens, clothing or toilet seats.
How to get pinworm eggs?
In addition, the doctor may ask you to collect the pinworm eggs using the “tape test.”. To do this: Place a clear piece of tape over the anal area as soon as the infected person wakes up in the morning. The eggs will stick to the tape. Take the tape to the doctor, following your doctor’s directions.
How to prevent pinworms?
The most effective way to prevent a pinworm infection is by practicing cleanliness in the following ways: Wash your hands often: Using soap and warm water, wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, before handling food or touching your mouth or nose, and after petting a dog or cat.
Where do pinworms lay their eggs?
Pinworms lay their eggs on the skin around the anus of an infected person. When that person touches or scratches his or her anus, the eggs stick to the fingers and fingernails. The eggs are then transferred to surfaces and to other people, who swallow them when they touch their mouths.
How to prevent pinworm infection?
Reinfection occurs easily. Prevention always should be discussed at the time of treatment. Good hand hygiene is the most effective means of prevention. If pinworm infection occurs again, the infected person should be retreated with the same two-dose treatment. The infected person’s household contacts and caretakers also should be treated. If pinworm infection continues to occur, the source of the infection should be sought and treated. Playmates, schoolmates, close contacts outside the home, and household members should be considered possible sources of infection. Each infected person should receive the recommended two-dose treatment.
How to prevent pinworms?
This includes washing hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling food. Keep fingernails clean and short, avoid fingernail-biting, and avoid scratching the skin in the perianal area. Teach children the importance of washing hands to prevent infection.
Why do you trim your fingernails after pinworm treatment?
Trimming and scrubbing the fingernails and bathing after treatment is important to help prevent reinfection and spread of pinworms. More on: Handwashing. Back To Top. This information is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider.
How long after pinworm treatment should you shower?
During this treatment time and two weeks after final treatment, it is a good idea to avoid co-bathing and the reuse or sharing of washcloths. Showering may be preferred to avoid possible contamination of bath water. Careful handling and frequent changing of underclothing, night clothes, towels, and bedding can help reduce infection, reinfection, and environmental contamination with pinworm eggs. These items should be laundered in hot water, especially after each treatment of the infected person and after each usage of washcloths until infection is cleared.
How is pinworm spread?
How is pinworm infection spread? Pinworm infection is spread by the fecal-oral route, that is by the transfer of infective pinworm eggs from the anus to someone’s mouth, either directly by hand or indirectly through contaminated clothing, bedding, food, or other articles.
What is the most common worm infection in the United States?
Pinworm infection occurs worldwide and affects persons of all ages and socioeconomic levels. It is the most common worm infection in the United States. Pinworm infection occurs most commonly among. school-aged and preschool-aged children, institutionalized persons, and. household members and caretakers of persons with pinworm infection .
How do you get pinworms?
Because of their small size, pinworm eggs sometimes can become airborne and ingested while breathing .
Facts About Pinworms
Pinworms are tiny, white worms that live in the large intestine. They look like pieces of white thread. Pinworms are not a disease but they can make a child uncomfortable.
Where are pinworms found?
Pinworms come out of the anus (bum) at night and lay their eggs on nearby skin. The worms may be seen with a flashlight, as crawling threads around the bum after the child has been asleep for about an hour.
