How Do You Treat Pinworms?

Discussion Pinworm infection is a parasitic infection caused by the roundworm, Enterobius vermicularis. A person is directly infected by fecal-oral transmission of eggs or indirectly such as through contaminated clothing or bedding. It is frequently seen in children and can easily pass to family members especially in crowded conditions. People can become easily reinfected. It is endemic worldwide. Incubation period is usually 1-2 months and eggs can survive outside humans for 2-3 weeks. Humans are the only known reservoir. Adult worms migrate at night from the anus to the perianal skin and vulvar areas causing anal or vulvar itching. The itching can cause sleep problems and scratching can cause secondary bacterial infection. The worms can exist in alternative locations such as the vagina, Bartholin’s glands and the urethra. Other distant sites such as the appendix have also been cited in the literature. Diagnosis is by direct visualization of the adult worms about 2-3 hours after sleep or by the “scotch-tape test” where upon wakening the patient has clear cellophane tape applied to the perianal skin. The tape is then reviewed under a microscope to identify the adult worms. See To Learn More below for images of pinworms. In many cases pinworms are treated presumptively because of the difficulty of obtaining specimens. Learning Point Treatment for pinworms is by antihelminthic agents such as mebendazole, albendazole, and pyrantel pamoate. Pyrantel pamoate is...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news