Pinworms are tiny, narrow worms. They’re white in color and less than a half-inch long. Pinworm infections are also known as enterobiasis or oxyuriasis. They’re the most common type of human worm infection in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC
What are the symptoms of a pinworm infection?
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:
- frequent and strong itching of the anal area
- restless sleep due to anal itching and discomfort
- pain, rash, or other skin irritation around the anus
- the presence of pinworms in the area of your child’s anus
- the presence of pinworms in stools
Pinworms infections are highly contagious. You become infected with pinworms by unintentionally ingesting or inhaling pinworm eggs.
These eggs are usually deposited onto a surface or object by a person who’s been infected. 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.
If a person who’s been infected touches household objects like bedding, clothing, toilet seats, or toys, the eggs will transfer to these objects. 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.
While uncommon, it’s also possible for adults to inhale airborne eggs when shaking contaminated bedding, towels, or clothing.
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. This can cause an infection to continue indefinitely if it’s not treated.
Pinworm infections affect people of all ages and geographical regions. Since the pinworm eggs are microscopic, it’s impossible to avoid individuals or areas that have been infected.
While anyone can get a pinworm infection, the following groups are more susceptible:
- children who attend day care, preschool, or elementary school
- family members or caregivers of people who have been infected
- individuals who live in institutions or other crowded accommodations, such as dormitories
- children or adults who don’t practice regular and careful handwashing prior to eating
- children who have a habit of sucking their thumbs
