Pinworms

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Pinworm eggs

Pinworm, close-up of the head

Pinworms

Definition:

Pinworms are small worms that infect the intestines. They are common in children and easy to treat.

Alternative Names:
Enterobiasis; Oxyuriasis
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pinworms are the most common worm infection in the United States, primarily affecting school-age children. Pinworm eggs are spread directly from person to person or by touching bedding, food, or other items contaminated with the eggs.

Typically, children unknowingly touch the eggs and puts their fingers in their mouth. The eggs are swallowed. The eggs eventually hatch in the small intestine and worms mature in the colon. Female worms then move to the child's anal area, especially at night, and deposit more eggs. This may cause intense itching and the area may even become infected. When the child scratches the itching anal area, the eggs can get under the child's fingernails and be transferred to other children, family members, and items in the house.

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