Pinworm

What is pinworm?

Pinworm, also called threadworm or enterobiasis, is a common intestinal infection caused by a tiny roundworm, enterobius vermicularis.

This white worm that looks like a piece of thread grows in the intestine after a person has accidentally eaten its eggs.

These tiny microscopic eggs cannot be seen and a child may unknowingly eat them with contaminated food or when he licks his fingers after touching infected items such as bedding, towels, underwear, glassware, or toys.

These eggs then hatch in the small intestine, and the growing worm (larvae) crawl to the large intestine (colon) where they attach themselves inside the lining.

After 2-4 weeks, fully-grown pinworms crawl out through the child's bottom at night to lay new eggs on the skin around the anus.

This often results in itchiness, which is the most common symptom of pinworms. When the child scratches the affected areas, the tiny eggs cling to the fingers and underneath the fingernails and then spread to wherever else the child touches.

The eggs are able to survive for up to 3 weeks, making it quite easy for the infections to spread to other people. School children are frequently infected by this parasite.

Treatment / What you should do

If you suspect that your child could have pinworms, you should consult a doctor.

This infection can be treated with an oral medication such as mebendazole.

The entire family often is treated to prevent spread of the infection from person to person.

The course of treatment usually is repeated after 2 weeks to ensure that any new infections are prevented.

However, the itchiness may last for up to a week after the medication is finished.

Warm baths can help alleviate the itchiness; bathing in the morning removes many of the eggs.