Pinworm Infection (cont.)
How is pinworm infection diagnosed?
If pinworms are suspected, transparent adhesive tape or a
pinworm paddle (supplied by your healthcare provider) are applied to the anal region. The eggs adhere to the sticky tape or paddle and are identified by examination under a microscope.
The test should be done as soon as you wake up in the morning (because bathing or having a bowel movement may remove eggs). The exam may require several samples for diagnosis.
Samples taken from under the fingernails may also contain eggs (since scratching of the anal area is common by affected individuals).
At night, the adult worms can sometimes be seen directly in bedclothes or around the anal area.
What are the consequences of untreated pinworms?
When untreated, pinworms can cause diarrhea, significant malabsorption of food, genital itching, bedwetting (enuresis), or
vaginal discharge which can be associated with genital skin irritation and rash. Although the symptoms of severe infestation can mimic appendicitis, pinworms have not been shown to cause appendicitis. When pinworms migrate to the female genital tract, internal scars can form in the female reproductive organs.
What is the treatment of pinworms?
Usually a single tablet of mebendazole (Vermox) is used for treatment. This can sometimes be repeated a week later or, if infection persists, three weeks later. Another effective medication is
albendazole (Albenza).
Pyrantel pamoate (Pin-Rid,
Pin-X) is available over-the-counter for pinworm after confirmation of the diagnosis by a licensed healthcare provider. Drugs available over-the-counter vary from country to country. To treat pinworms affecting urinary and genital organs, combination therapy with oral mebendazole and
ivermectin (Stromectol) for the worms as well as topical therapy for the eggs may be required.
Last Editorial Review: 9/21/2007
- mebendazole chewable-oral, Vermox - Consumer information about the medication MEBENDAZOLE CHEWABLE - ORAL (Vermox), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug MEBENDAZOLE CHEWABLE - ORAL.
- Pinworm Test - Read about the pinworm test, the sticky tape test, or pinworm paddle, which confirms the most common worm infeciton in the US, the pinworm. Symptoms of pinworms include anal or vaginal itching.
- Anal Itching - Learn about the causes of anal itching like pinworms, diarrhea, psoriasis, anal fissure, hemorrhoids, skin tags, yeast infection, diabetes, and HIV.
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