Pinworm Infection ( its Causes and Treatments)
A pinworm infection is one of the most common types of human intestinal worm infections. Pinworms are tiny, narrow worms. They are white in colour and less than half a inch long. Pinworm Infections are also known as Enterobiasis or Oxyuriasis . They are most common in children between the ages of 5 to 10, although it can affect all age groups.
Pinworm infection is primarily a Pediatrics condition, and parents are typically infected through transmission by their children. Pinworm is prevalent throughout the temperate regions of the world and is the most common helminthic infections in the United States.
Q 1. What are the Symptoms of Pinworm Infection?
Symptoms of Pinworm infection may include
- Frequent itching of the anal or vaginal region.
- Insomnia, Irritability, Teeth grinding, and Restlessness.
- Occasional stomach pain and nausea.
- Pain, rash or other skin irritation around the anus.
- Presence of pinworms in stools and around the anal region of the child.
- In certain cases, pinworms often cause no symptoms also.
Q 2. What causes a pinworm infection ?
Pinworm infection are highly contagious. You become infected with pinworms unintentionally ingesting or inhaling pinworm eggs. The tiny microscopic eggs can be carried to your mouth by contaminated food, drink or your fingers. Once swallowed, the eggs hatch in the intestines and mature into adult worms within few weeks.
Female worms move to the anal region to lay their eggs, which often result in anal itching. When you scratch the itchy area, the eggs cling to your fingers and get under your fingernails. The eggs then get transferred to other surfaces such as toys, bedding or toilet seats. The eggs can also be transferred from contaminated fingers to food, liquids, clothes or other people.
COMPLICATIONS
Pinworm Infections don’t cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestation can cause infection of female genitals. Other rare complication include :
- Urinary tract infection
- Weight loss
- Infection of part of abdomen(Peritoneal cavity)
Q 3. How are pinworm infections diagnosed?
Your doctor may ask you to help make the diagnosis of Pinworm by placing a sticky piece of clear cellophane tape and can be seen under a microscope.
The best time to do this is at night or in the morning before a bath. The doctor also might take some samples from under a child’s fingernails to look for eggs. And also might take sample of stool for further diagnosis.
PREVENTION
Besides regular cleaning of surfaces, methods to help prevent the spread of Pinworm eggs or prevent reinfection include:
Wash your hands
After using toilet, changing diaper and before eating it is necessary to teach the child to wash hands properly.
Don’t scratch
Trim your child’s fingernails so there’s less space for eggs to collect, avoid scratching the anal region. Suggest your child not to bite their nails.
Wash in the morning
Because pinworms lay eggs at night, washing the anal area in the morning can help reduce the number of Pinworm eggs on your body.
Change Underwear and Bedding daily
This helps in removal of eggs.
Q 4. How are pinworms treated?
Pinworms are treated with an oral anti-parasitic medication that kills the worms. You will need to one dose right away and another dose two weeks later to make sure all the worms are gone. To reduce the risk of re-infection pediatricians recommend that the family members and caregivers of an infected child be treated as well.
The medications used to treat pinworms are
- Pyrantel pamote,
- Mebendazole,
- Albendazole,
Pyrantel pamote is the medication most commonly used to treat pinworms. It is available without a prescription.
Q 5. What are the side effects of treatment for pinworms?
Before using Pyrantel pamote, you should consult your doctor if you are pregnant or if the infected child is younger than 2 year old.
Side effects of Pyrantel pamote include :
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
For all three medications, side effects include Gastro intestinal upset.