What are Pinworms?
Pinworms are a type of roundworm that attacks or infects the human large intestine. This parasite has physical characteristics that at first glance look like threads and are white in color.
However, unlike ascariasis infection which occurs due to a roundworm called Ascariasis lumbricoides, pinworm infection occurs due to a worm called Enterobius vermicularis. This worm has an average body length of 5–13 millimeters.
In addition, this parasite can be seen in the stool (feces) or around the anus of the person suffering from this infection.
Because this worm lays its eggs in the folds around the anus when the sufferer is asleep.
Some people do not show any symptoms when infected with this worm, but others experience itching in the anus and restless sleep.
Generally, pinworm infections do not cause serious medical conditions.
However, these parasites can move up the anal area to the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and around the organs in the hips.
Although rare, there are some complications that can occur, such as endometriosis and vaginitis.
Pinworm Symptoms
Generally, the most common symptom experienced by sufferers is itching around the anus and vagina at night.
The main cause of this itching is due to the activity of pinworms when laying their eggs.
If a severe infection has occurred, here are some symptoms that will usually occur in sufferers:
- Frequent bedwetting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia.
- Weight loss.
- Skin infection around the anus.
- Stomach pain and nausea.
Causes of Pinworms
A person can become infected with pinworm parasites if they swallow pinworm eggs. The eggs can also be swallowed after being inhaled first.
When laying eggs, a female pinworm can lay thousands of eggs around the vagina or anus.
During the egg-laying process, the itchy feeling that sufferers experience is because the female pinworms secrete mucus so that an uncomfortable feeling arises.
The itching will encourage sufferers to scratch or wipe the anus or vagina.
When scratching or wiping, worm eggs can stick to the tips of the fingers or under the sufferer’s nails.
You need to know that pinworm eggs can survive for two weeks.
The parasite eggs on the sufferer’s hands can be transferred to anything they touch, such as:
- Sheets and pillowcases.
- Towel.
- Children toys.
- Kitchen appliances.
- Toothbrush.
- Home furnishings.
- Kitchen or bathroom surfaces.
Pinworm infections, or the medical term enterobiasis, mostly occur in children, because they are still unable to maintain good hand hygiene.
Apart from children, people who frequently have direct contact with people with parasitic infections, or who live in densely populated areas, are also at higher risk of infection.
Here are some facts about pinworm infections:
1. Can be contagious
Be careful, just like Ascaris lumbricoides, pinworms are also very contagious.
These parasitic eggs are transmitted from one person to another when the worms (somehow) make their way from an infected person’s stool to another person’s mouth or nose.
Eggs can enter a person’s body after he or she touches a contaminated surface.
The surface can be anything, for example household appliances, tables, doorknobs, clothing, toilets, toys, even food and drinks.
Therefore, you need to be careful, here is a list of foods that cause pinworms.
However, pinworms do not live on animals. So you cannot get the parasitic infection from a dog or cat, or pass the infection to a pet.
Even so, it’s a good idea to keep your pet and the environment clean so that you or your pet don’t get infected.
2. Can be inhaled through the air
It is also possible for someone to inhale pinworm eggs. This is because the eggs are very small and can only be seen with a microscope.
These worm eggs are very light so they can fly and be inhaled into the body or stick to food that will be consumed.
3. Life cycle of pinworms in the body
Enterobius vermicularis parasites are small and thin. Once the eggs are inside the body, they travel to the small intestine to hatch.
The larvae then move to the large intestine where they live as parasites until the time comes.
After a month or two, the adult female pinworms make another journey, this time to the rectum to lay eggs and then die. The total lifespan of a pinworm is about 13 weeks.
The discomfort and intense itching associated with pinworm infection is due to the presence of Enterobius vermicularis eggs near the rectum.
Eggs can stick to the hands and under the nails when the sufferer scratches the infected area. Unfortunately, this can trigger a new and prolonged cycle of pinworms.
Pinworm Risk Factors
There are many factors that can increase a person’s risk of contracting enterobiasis, namely:
- Pinworms generally occur in children aged 5-14 years.
- Children attending daycare, preschool, or elementary school.
- Living in crowded conditions, tropical climates, or living with an infected person.
- Caring for an infected person.
- Have a habit of not practicing regular hand washing before eating.
- Having a habit of sucking the thumb, for example in childhood.
Pinworm Diagnosis
To diagnose this disease, the doctor will perform a test using a special plaster.
A person infected with pinworms will be asked to apply the patch to the skin around the anus in the morning, immediately after waking up, and before showering.
This patch is useful for checking worm eggs that may be in the anus, to be examined under a microscope.
You should do this test 3 days in a row to get more accurate results.
The doctor will provide treatment according to the symptoms and body condition if worm eggs are detected in the body.
Pinworm Treatment
Basically, treatment for pinworms is not much different from ascariasis, namely aiming to eliminate pinworms and prevent re-infection.
Because the risk of spreading pinworm infection is high, everyone living in the same house as the person with pinworms should also undergo treatment.
Oral antiparasitic drugs are the mainstay of treatment for this infection.
You need to take one dose right away and another dose two weeks later to make sure all the worms are gone.
The following treatments can be done:
- Prescription drugs Mebendazole and Albendazole are oral medications that can expel pinworms through bowel movements. However, these medications are usually not recommended for children under 2 years of age.
- Over-the-counter medications, such as pyrantel pamoate, are available at drug stores.
Although medication can treat worm infections, itching may continue for about a week afterward.
So the doctor may also prescribe creams or other medications to help stop the itching.
Also, make sure to practice healthy living as a daily habit.
Pinworm Complications
This infection usually does not cause serious problems. Although rare, women who are heavily infected can experience complications of the infection in their genitals.
Pinworms can also spread from the anus to the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and around the pelvic organs.
This can lead to problems such as inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis) and inflammation of the lining of the uterus ( endometritis ).
Various other complications that can occur due to pinworm infection can include:
- Urinary tract infection.
- Weight loss.
- Infection of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal cavity).
Pinworm Prevention
Pinworm eggs can stick to many surfaces, including faucets, bedding, toys, toilet seats and other objects.
These eggs can stick for up to two weeks. Therefore, it is important to clean surfaces that could potentially be a place for these worm eggs to stick.
Some ways you can do to help prevent this infection include:
- Avoid sharing towels or personal items with others.
- Wash all clothes, sheets, towels, and toys.
- Wash everything with hot water.
- Cleaning dust throughout the house.
- Clean the bathroom and kitchen.
- Avoid touching objects contaminated with pinworm eggs.
- Avoid eating in the bedroom.
- Keep your nails short.
- Teach children not to bite their nails and suck their fingers.
- Take a shower every day.
- Avoid scratching the anal area.