Pinworms are a type of intestinal parasite related to roundworms. The average male pinworm is between 2 and 5 mm in length; females are larger at 8 to 13 mm. Pinworms affect a variety of mammals, including humans.
Symptoms
When a pinworm infection first begins, there are rarely any symptoms, reports the Mayo Clinic. As the infection becomes more prevalent, itching in the groin or vaginal area, insomnia, irritability, restlessness and nausea develop.
Features
Female pinworms travel through the intestinal tract and lay eggs in the area around the anus. The itching caused by the eggs leads to scratching, when the eggs are transferred to the fingers, eventually leading to the mouth.
Causes
The initial begins from the ingestion of eggs either inside food or drink or by coming into physical contact with another person who has pinworm eggs on their hands or under their fingernails.
Risks and Prevention
Pinworms are most prevalent in children and, once a child becomes infected, other members of their household may as well. Frequent hand washing and good hygiene are the greatest factors in pinworm prevention.
Complications
Without treatment, pinworm infections lead to dramatic weight loss as the parasitic worms consume the nutrients eaten by the host. In women and girls, pinworms can also cause urinary tract infections, vaginitis and endometriosis by traveling into the vagina or urethra.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors diagnose a pinworm infection by collecting a sample of the anal area with a cellophane tape that is then examined under a microscope. Pinworm infections respond to certain anti-parasitic drugs like Albenza and Pin-X, and doctors often prescribe a cream to lessen the effects upon the anal area until the infection clears.
Tags: pinworm infection, anal area