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Pinworms (also called threadworms) are an intestinal infection caused by tiny parasitic worms called Enterobius vermicularis. It's a common infection that affects millions of people each year, particularly toddlers and school-age kids. Infection often occurs in more than one family member.
Pinworms are thin and white, measuring about six to 13 millimetres in length.
The most common signs of a pinworm infection are:
The itching is usually worse at night because the worms move to the area around the anus to lay their eggs (up to 10,000 to 15,000 eggs). In girls, pinworm infection can spread to the vagina and cause a vaginal discharge. If the itching breaks the skin, it also could lead to a bacterial skin infection. Pinworms can also cause bedwetting at night.
Some infected people have no symptoms at all.
Pinworms get into the body when people ingest or breathe in the microscopic pinworm eggs. These eggs are light and float in the air and can be found on contaminated hands and surfaces, such as:
The eggs pass into the digestive system and hatch in the small intestine. From the small intestine, pinworm larvae go to the large intestine, where they live as parasites (with their heads attached to the inside wall of the bowel).
About one to two months later, adult female pinworms leave the large intestine through the anus (the opening where bowel movements come out). They lay eggs on the skin right around the anus, which triggers itching in that area, usually at night.
When someone scratches the itchy area, microscopic pinworm eggs transfer to their fingers. Contaminated fingers can then carry pinworm eggs to the mouth, where they go back into the body, or stay on various surfaces, where eggs can survive for two to three weeks.
Fortunately, most eggs dry out within 72 hours. In the absence of host autoinfection, infestation usually lasts only four to six weeks.
Itching during the night in a child’s perianal area strongly suggests pinworm infection. Diagnosis is made by identifying the worm or its eggs.
If your child has a pinworm infection, you can see worms on the skin near the anal region or on underwear, pyjamas or sheets, about two or three hours after your child has fallen asleep. You also might see the worms in the toilet after your child goes to the bathroom. They look like tiny pieces of white thread and are really small — about as long as a staple. You might also see them on your child's underwear in the morning.
Pinworm eggs can be collected and examined using the “tape test” as soon as the person wakes up. This “test” is done by firmly pressing the adhesive side of clear, transparent cellophane tape to the skin around the anus. The eggs stick to the tape and the tape can be placed on a slide and looked at under a microscope. This test should be done as soon as the person wakes up in the morning before they wash, bathe, go to the toilet, or get dressed. The “tape test” should be done on three consecutive mornings to increase the chance of finding pinworm eggs.
Oral medication such as mebendazole or albendazole should be given to everybody in the household. There is a risk of transmission between family members; so the chances of being infected if somebody has been diagnosed are high, even if no symptoms are present.
Both medications block the worm's ability to absorb glucose, effectively killing it within a few days. Treatment involves two doses of medication, best administered on an empty stomach, with the second dose being given two weeks after the first dose. All household contacts and caretakers of the infected person should be treated at the same time.
Hygiene measures should be continued for another two weeks following the initial treatment.
Although medicine takes care of the worm infection, the itching may continue for about a week. Apply a zinc ointment or other medicine to help stop the itching.
Reinfection can occur easily so strict observance of good hand hygiene is essential (e.g. proper handwashing, maintaining clean short fingernails, avoiding nail biting, avoiding scratching the perianal area).
