What do pinworms do

How is a pinworm infection treated? It is given in two doses. The second dose should be given two weeks after the first. Bathe first thing in the morning to reduce egg contamination. Wash hands and under the fingernails thoroughly, after using the bathroom, before eating and after changing diapers.

Discourage nail biting and scratching bare anal areas to avoid re-infection. Keep fingernails trimmed very short. Infection often occurs in more than one family member. Treat all infected family members at the same time.

Step 2: Treat the household Change and wash underwear and pajamas in hot water daily. Machine-wash sheets, blankets, towels and clothing in hot water to destroy eggs. Machine-dry at high temperature. Eggs are sensitive to sunlight, so open blinds in bedrooms in the daytime. Since pinworm eggs are light and scatter easily, dust should be removed carefully from all surfaces in the home.

Careful vacuuming or the use of an oiled cloth which may be boiled or destroyed later will help prevent the eggs from scattering. Serious complications and long-term health effects are rare. Some individuals with pinworm infections may not experience any symptoms. However, you may suspect that you or your child has a pinworm infection if you notice:.

Pinworms infections are highly contagious. You become infected with pinworms by unintentionally ingesting or inhaling pinworm eggs. The cycle of infection begins with the ingestion of these microscopic eggs.

Once the eggs enter your body, they remain in the intestine until they hatch and mature. As adults, the female pinworms move into the colon and exit the body through the anus at night.

Female pinworms lay eggs in the folds of skin around the anus and then return to the colon. The presence of these eggs often causes anal itching and irritation. When a person scratches the affected area, the pinworm eggs transfer to the fingers.

The eggs can survive for several hours on your hands. Pinworm eggs can survive on these contaminated surfaces for up to three weeks. Children transfer pinworm eggs easily because they may put infected toys or other objects directly into their mouths. The eggs can also transfer from contaminated fingers directly to food or liquids.

Pinworms generally live for up to 13 weeks. Scratching an affected area can lead to unintentional ingestion, which can lead to reinfection and a restart of the entire pinworm life process. Sometimes, eggs on the anus can hatch and the pinworm larvae can reinfect the intestine that they came from. Pinworm infections affect people of all ages and geographical regions. Humans are the only pinworm hosts. Reinfection can occur easily so strict observance of good hand hygiene is essential e.

Daily morning bathing and daily changing of underwear helps removes a large proportion of eggs. The infected person and all household contacts and caretakers of the infected person should be treated at the same time. Reinfection occurs easily. Prevention always should be discussed at the time of treatment.

Good hand hygiene is the most effective means of prevention. If pinworm infection occurs again, the infected person should be retreated with the same two-dose treatment. If pinworm infection continues to occur, the source of the infection should be sought and treated. Playmates, schoolmates, close contacts outside the home, and household members should be considered possible sources of infection. Each infected person should receive the recommended two-dose treatment.

Strict observance of good hand hygiene is the most effective means of preventing pinworm infection. This includes washing hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling food. Keep fingernails clean and short, avoid fingernail-biting, and avoid scratching the skin in the perianal area. Teach children the importance of washing hands to prevent infection. Daily morning bathing and changing of underclothes helps remove a large proportion of pinworm eggs and can help prevent infection and reinfection.

Careful handling avoid shaking and frequent laundering of underclothes, night clothes, towels, and bed sheets using hot water also helps reduce the chance of infection and reinfection by reducing environmental contamination with eggs.

Control can be difficult in child care centers and schools because the rate of reinfection is high. In institutions, mass and simultaneous treatment, repeated in 2 weeks, can be effective.

Hand hygiene is the most effective method of prevention. Adhering to stringent hygiene measures for six weeks, which is the lifespan of a pinworm, can clear up an infection without medication. These practices also reduce the risk of reinfection. If any member of your household is a nail-biter or thumb-sucker, this method is likely not right for you, notes ChildrensMD. Pinworm infections usually don't cause any serious issues.

However, there is the possibility of a secondary bacterial infection, which can occur when a lot of irritation and scratching of the anal area causes the skin to break, notes the CDC. Vaginitis The vagina can become inflamed if a heavy infestation of worms travel from the anal area to the vagina and then into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and around the pelvic organs.

Endometritis This occurs when pinworms move into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and around the pelvic organs, causing inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus. Weight Loss Loss of weight is a rare but possible complication. Peritonitis With this complication, inflammation occurs in the peritoneum , which is the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen, according to research published in August in BMJ Case Reports. Appendicitis Appendicitis is another potential secondary infection.

Parasitic worms known as soil-transmitted helminths STH are passed to the soil through the feces and may remain in the soil for months or years. Ascaris These parasitic worms are found in tropical areas and can cause either no symptoms, or symptoms such as fever, cough , wheezing , stomach cramps, vomiting, and restless sleep, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Hookworm Infections are most commonly found in temperate and warm, moist climates. The worms penetrate the skin when a person walks barefoot on contaminated soil and then travel to the small intestine, where they can cause abdominal pain and sometimes anemia.

Whipworm Hot, humid climates are generally where whipworms are found. Like Ascaris, whipworm infections occur when eggs are ingested via hand-to-mouth action or after consuming contaminated fruits or vegetables. Usually, there are no symptoms, but a severe infection can bring about mucousy, watery, and bloody bowel movements and the frequent and painful passage of stool. Rectal prolapse part of the large intestine slips outside of the anus can also occur, per the CDC. The CDC is always a reliable go-to for research-based information.

And beyond all the scientific names and the epidemiologic facts, the CDC also offers user-friendly info, like the very helpful Pinworm Infection FAQ section, which tackles topics such as swimming while infected with pinworms, whether can pets give you pinworms, and more. KidsHealth for the Nemours Foundation. This nonprofit children's health system provides readers with easy-to-understand info on a wide variety of health topics.

The best part: You can find guidance on the very same topic written specifically for parents, for kids, and for teens. Meanwhile, parents can read more about the nitty-gritty. American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP is a professional organization that boasts roughly 67, pediatricians as members.