What causes the symptoms of a pinworm infection?
Symptoms are caused by the female pinworm laying her eggs. Symptoms of pinworm infection usually are mild and some infected people have no symptoms. Who is at risk for pinworm infection? Pinworm infection occurs worldwide and affects persons of all ages and socioeconomic levels. It is the most common worm infection in the United States.
How long does it take to get rid of pinworms?
This is given in one dose and repeated in 2 weeks. The doctor may decide to treat the entire family, especially if your child has had a pinworm infection before. Although medicine takes care of the worm infection, the itching may continue for about a week.
Where do pinworms go when they leave the body?
Pinworms are about the length of a staple. While an infected person sleeps, female pinworms leave the intestine through the anus and deposit their eggs on the surrounding skin. What are the symptoms of a pinworm infection?
Can a pinworm infection spread to the vagina?
The itching is usually worse at night because the worms move to the area around the anus to lay their eggs. In girls, pinworm infection can spread to the vagina and cause a vaginal discharge. If the itching breaks the skin, it also could lead to a bacterial skin infection.
Can a pinworm infection be treated over the counter?
Although pinworom infection can affect all people, it most commonly occurs among children, institutionalized persons, and household members of persons with pinworm infection. Pinworm infection is treatable with over-the-counter or prescription medication, but reinfection, which occurs easily, should be prevented.
How old do you have to be to get a pinworm infection?
Pinworm infections are most likely to occur in children ages 5 to 10. The tiny (microscopic) eggs are easily spread to family members, caregivers, or other children at school or child care centers. Pinworm infections are uncommon in children younger than age 2.
What’s the difference between a pinworm and a tapeworm?
Here are some of the most common differences: Pinworms are thin and white and about as long as a staple. Tapeworms are flatworms that are ribbon-shaped and grow very long. Adult tapeworms are sometimes known to grow up to 30 feet, the length of a school bus. Infections by such tapeworms are very rare.