Pinworms

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Pinworm, close-up of the head

Pinworm eggs

Pinworms

Enterobiasis; Oxyuriasis; Threadworm; Seatworm; Enterobius vermicularis; E vermicularis; Helminthic infection

• Intense itching around the anus
• Difficulty sleeping due to the itching that occurs during the night
• Irritability due to itching and interrupted sleep
• Vaginal irritation or discomfort in young girls (if an adult worm enters the vagina rather than the anus)
• Irritated or infected skin around the anus, from constant scratching
• Loss of appetite and weight (uncommon but can occur in severe infections)

Pinworms can be spotted in the anal area, especially at night when the worms lay their eggs there. Your doctor may have you do a tape test. A piece of cellophane tape is pressed against the skin around the anus, and removed. This should be done in the morning before bathing or using the toilet, because bathing and wiping may inadvertently remove any eggs. The doctor will stick the tape to a slide and look for eggs using a microscope.

Review Date: 09/05/2006
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.