What does pinworm mean?
A pinworm infection is one of the most common types of human intestinal. Pinworms are tiny, narrow worms. They’re white in color and less than half an inch long. The male of this species measures only 2 to 4 mm.in length while the female measures 8 to 12mm.in length. A pinworm infection, also known as enterobiasis or oxyuriasis, is the most common type of worm infection in humans in the United States according to the center of disease control and prevention
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Who are vulnerable to the diseases caused by PinWorms?
The fact is everyone is vulnerable but it affects children often.
Pinworm infections can spread easily. They’re most common in children between the ages of 5 and 10, people who live in institutions, and those who have regular, close contact with individuals in these groups. Infected children spread the eggs of these worms to their playmates.
Children get eggs under the finger-nails. From his nails, the eggs get on his food and go into the stomach, where they hatch into worms. Effective treatment for pinworm infections is medication, though reinfection is possible. Serious complications and long-term health effects are rare.
Causes of Pinworm, Enteriobius
The worms are found in all most parts of the world. Pinworms infections are highly contagious. You become infected with pinworms by unintentionally ingesting (or inhaling) pinworm eggs, usually deposited by an infected person onto an object. The cycle of infection begins with the ingestion of these microscopic eggs. This takes place during the night.
The eggs hatch out on the moist warm skin and the tiny worms crawl into the rectum to develop into adults. The itching sensation brought about by this activity on the part of the worms causes the patient to scratch his or herself.
What are the Symptoms That Might likely Occur?
The most common symptom is itching. The female deposits the eggs in the skin, causing an inflammation which calls for considerable scratching. It is not uncommon to find a case of acute appendicitis caused by the infestation of pinworms. The worms may also get into the vagina and into the Fallopian tubes. All this is nerve-racking to the individual concerned and many times the victim's disposition becomes markedly irritable.
- Worms in your stool: Patients may notice bits or whole worms in their stool or sense the movement of them through the anus.
- Weight loss: Pinworms can grow to hundreds of feet in length and can reduce your body nutrients and make you lose weight as they grow. So if you’re losing weight see your doctor.
- Nausea and loss of appetite: If you are not feeling hungry? Pinworms can cause you to feel ill and lose your appetite, due to irritation in your bowels. In some cases, parasites can even induce vomiting or diarrhea in patients.
- Seizures: Some species of pinworm can travel outside of the digestive tract and end up wreaking havoc on other body systems—including the eyes and brain.
How is a Pinworm Infection diagnosed?
If you notice that your child has become irritable and/or is scratching at the rectum, you should be suspicious of thread-worms. Many times you can make your own diagnosis by rolling the child over in bed after it has gone to sleep and spreading its buttocks to allow a good view of the rectum. Upon doing this you may see the worms crawling in and out of the rectum.
If they are not visible take a piece of scotch tape and press the sticky side against the rectum several times. Stick the tape to a piece of glass or regular glass slide and take it to a laboratory. If eggs are present they can be clearly seen.
What Are The Treatment option For Pinworm or Medication?
- A tight-fitting garment over the hips to make access to the rectum difficult, thus preventing scratching.
- A cleansing bath every morning with particular attention to cleaning the rectum.
- Warm enemas each evening.
- Caladryl ointment or lotion win allay the itching.
- Scrub the fingernails with brush and soap before each meal.
- Put on freshly laundered underwear every morning.
- Ordinary washing will disinfect.
- It may be well to treat the whole family, for in most cases if one has the infection the whole family may have it.
- All should be treated at the same time.
If there is reinfection and repeated treatments have failed to eradicate the worms, it may be that the house is so infested with the worms that it should be cleaned throughout. It has been observed that if the house is kept at a temperature of 85° F. For three days and the humidity kept low the eggs will all die.
- This would mean that some method of heating procedure be carried out even though the temperature outside is this high or higher. The humidity must be lowered.
How Can You Prevent a pinworm infection?
This is most cumbersome, for it is difficult to trace the source of contamination, and all the neighbors children have probably not been treated. Teach the children to wash their hands frequently and to refrain from putting their fingers in their mouths. Scrub the hands well, especially the nails, before each meal.
References
- Healthline-Pinworm infection
- The New Health and Longevity by A. C. Selmon a. The Oriental Watchman Publishing House.
Isreal olabanji a dental assistant and public health professionals and has years of experience in assisting the dentist with all sorts of dental issues.
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