Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis)

Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis) General Information

The worm that infects parts of the intestines and areas around the anus is called a pinworm. This type of worm is very small, round, with a white coloration and about 3-5 mm (millimeters) long. This parasite that lives only in humans is very common and provokes the medical condition known as Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis) which is not very dangerous. Each year, 30-40 million cases of people infected with pinworms appear only in the United States. More prone to develop this type of infection are the small children between 3 to 12 years old, but individuals at any socioeconomic group and age can be infested by this worm. It is well known that adults are less likely to suffer from Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis), except mothers who has an infected child. During a person’s sleep, the female worms move from the intestines through the anus and leave their eggs on the skin that surrounds this area. Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis) can easily spread from one person to another. The lifecycle of a pinworm starts with the involuntary (accidentally) introduction of a very small (microscopic) egg into the mouth (ingestion, swallowing) from fingers or contaminated areas. The egg usually hatches in the small bowel after it had been softened by the acidity of the stomach and then travels to the large bowel and to the appendix where continues its development.

Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis) Symptoms

Like any other type of infection, Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis) causes several specific signs and symptoms that vary in intensity and range from mild to serious ones. The most common manifestations of this medical disorder are accused by the majority of the patients; however, some individuals may experience particular and unique signs and symptoms. The most frequent symptom provoked by this infection is the sensation of itching between the legs and around the anus region. Except itching, Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis) does not cause any more severe damage to the patient’s health and body. In the case that the pinworms crawl forward, some of the girls may complain of vaginal itching. Other signs and symptoms that may occur from this sensation of itching and are: irritation and redness around the anal region, discomfort, loss of appetite, irritability, weight loss, and loss of sleep or difficulty sleeping. Whining, restlessness, emotional changes or bedwetting can also be experienced. Many of these signs and symptoms are mild and also they might not be present at all; in this case the patient confronts with an asymptomatic form of Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis). Although this disease is very common and not very serious, the idea of having worms inside your body may cause psychological problems to the respective patient. Some people are allergic to the pinworms, but their number is small. If the infection is severe, there is a high risk of developing appendicitis. A connection between low zinc levels and pinworms was recently discovered.

Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis) Treatment

Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis) is not a very serious medical condition, but it surely requires careful medical attention. There are cases in which the patient may not need treatment. As soon as you start experiencing the specific signs and symptoms of this disease, we strongly recommend you to call your health care provider. If it is not discovered and treated in time, this type of infection can cause several more severe complications that could affect the patient’s quality of life. Once the diagnosis is clear, the health care provider can proceed with the proper therapy to help cure the disorder. In order to detect the presence of these pinworms, the doctor will perform a scotch tape test with the help of transparent adhesive tape applied to the anal area. The eggs are then identified from the sticky tape or paddle under the microscope. Any test of this type must be done in the morning, after the patient wakes up because having a bowel movement or bathing may remove the pinworm eggs.

After detecting Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis), the doctors can apply the right treatment trial based on over-the-counter drugs or on prescription medicines. A normal therapy involves a two-dose course and this is why we recommend you to consult your health care provider before taking any medication for Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis). Usually, the second dose is administrated 15 days after the first one. The most common anti-pinworm drugs used by almost all the specialist are: Albendazole or Albenza, Piperazine, Mebendazole, Ovex, Vermox, Pin-X, Pyrantel Pamoate and Reese's Pinworm Medication. These medicines are also used to treat the infections caused by the roundworm (ascaris lumbricoides) and can be taken without the doctor’s recommendation. You can also ask a pharmacist about the medicines that treat Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis).

More than 90% of the cases cure in time with the proper treatment, although the eggs are not always killed. In this case, the respective individual should return to the doctor after 15 days for a new examination and treatment. The infections caused by pinworms can easily be prevented. You must carefully wash your hands before eating to avoid ingesting any pinworm eggs that might be under the finger nails. Bath every time you wake up to minimize the risk of egg contamination. It is important to wash and change your underwear each day, as well as the night clothes. It is well known that the eggs are very sensitive to sunlight so we advise you to open curtains and blinds in each room during the day. The anal area should be cleaned frequently with soap and warm water at least twice a day to kill the eggs. Treating only a member of the family may not be enough. Because this type of medical disorder spreads very quickly, doctors choose to treat the entire family, even if they are only suspected of having the pinworms. Clean and healthy habits and understanding the life cycle of pinworms may keep one away from getting Pinworm Infection (Enterobius Vermicularis).