Pinworms

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

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Pinworm eggs Pinworm, close-up of the head Pinworms

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Pinworms

• Intense itching around the anus
• Difficulty sleeping due to the itching that occurs during the night, when the adult worms migrate out through the anus to lay their eggs
• Irritability due to the itching and interrupted sleep at night
• 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.

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