Pinworms in adults how do you get

To become infected, an individual either directly via their hands or fingernails or indirectly via contaminated clothing, toilet seats, bedding, toys, or food, for example transfers pinworm eggs from the anus to their mouth.

In addition, because pinworm eggs are so teeny, they can become airborne, where they are inhaled and ingested. While pinworm infections affect people of all ages and socioeconomic background, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC those who are most impacted include:.

Examine the anus. Use transparent tape. First thing in the morning before your child bathes or uses the bathroom , firmly place a 1-inch piece of transparent tape against the skin around the anus for a few seconds, allowing any pinworm eggs to stick to the tape. Next, transfer the tape to a glass slide, sticky side down, and place inside a sealed plastic bag.

Repeat for three consecutive mornings and take the tape to the doctor for microscopic examination. Analyze under-the-fingernail samples. A physician may also opt to use a microscope to examine a specimen taken from under a child's fingernails, notes the CDC. Eggs may be found there due to scratching. After taking the medication, itching should stop in five to seven days, per the American Academy of Pediatrics.

With proper hygiene , a pinworm infection is usually considered self-limiting, which means it can resolve on its own with no long-term ill effect. One of the following is usually the treatment of choice. No matter which is used, an initial dose is given, followed by a second dose two weeks later to prevent reinfection by worms hatched from eggs not killed the first go-round.

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.

The female pinworm releases an itchy mucus when laying her eggs, triggering an urge to scratch the affected area of the anus or vagina. From the hands, the eggs may be transferred to anything that is touched, including:. The eggs can survive for up to 3 weeks on surfaces. If they are touched, they will be transferred to the hands. The microscopic eggs may become airborne and then be breathed in and swallowed. This can happen when shaking towels or bed sheets, for example.

The eggs hatch in the intestines 1 to 2 months after being swallowed. After hatching, a female pinworm can lay more eggs. Small children are more likely to become infected because they tend to be less thorough about hand washing. Children may also have long-lasting infections because they are swallowing fresh eggs continually.

Pinworms that affect humans cannot infect animals or pets. It is important to remember that the problem is not the pet; it is down to human hygiene. This test uses cellophane tape. The doctor places a piece of clear plastic tape against the skin around the anus and then looks at the tape under a microscope.

As the worm tends to lay her eggs at night, good samples are more likely early in the morning. People may apply the tape themselves before using the bathroom or bathing. The sample should then be taken to the doctor. Sometimes the worms are visible in the anal area, underwear, or in the toilet.

In stools, the worms look like small pieces of white cotton thread. Because of their size and white color, pinworms are difficult to see. The male worm is rarely seen because it remains inside the intestine. It is best to search for pinworms at night, when the female comes out to lay her eggs.

If you are checking children, it is best to inspect about 2 to 3 hours after they have fallen asleep. If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or have a baby less than 6 months of age, and you suspect you may have pinworms, you should see your doctor straight away.

Despite the unsavoury reputation, a pinworm infection is relatively harmless and can be easily treated. Infections begin when pinworm eggs are eaten, usually directly through contaminated hands or indirectly through contaminated food, bedding, clothing or other articles.

The eggs then travel to the gut where they hatch and mature. A grown pinworm is yellowish white, slender and about one centimetre long. Around 4 weeks after ingestion, the adult female moves down the gut and exits the body via the anus to lay a batch of eggs on the surrounding skin, often at night.

The worm then dies, her reproductive mission complete. The eggs may cause intense itching, especially at night, so children can easily reinfect themselves by scratching the anus and scraping eggs under their fingernails. These eggs can then be transferred to the mouth and the whole life cycle of the pinworm starts again. The eggs can survive on surfaces or objects such as furniture, kitchen surfaces and toothbrushes for up to 2 weeks in the right conditions and can infect other people if transferred to the mouth or food.

Your doctor might want to perform a test to make sure the problem is a pinworm infection. This is done by collecting the eggs from around the anus using sticky tape first thing in the morning. Medication is available to kill the worms and this is usually prescribed for the person who is infected and all other members of the household. One dose may be followed up with a second dose 2 weeks later to take care of any surviving worms. Trimming and scrubbing the fingernails and bathing after treatment is important to help prevent reinfection and spread of pinworms.

This information is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider. If you have any questions about the parasites described above or think that you may have a parasitic infection, consult a health care provider.

Contact Us. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Parasites - Enterobiasis also known as Pinworm Infection. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Pinworm Infection FAQs. Minus Related Pages. On This Page What is a pinworm? What are the symptoms of a pinworm infection? Who is at risk for pinworm infection?

How is pinworm infection spread? Can my family become infected with pinworms from swimming pools? My little kids like to co-bathe — could this be how they are becoming infected? How is pinworm infection diagnosed? How is pinworm infection treated? Should family and other close contacts of someone with pinworm also be treated for pinworm?