Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Intense itching around the anus and/or vagina
are the classic symptoms of pinworms. Less common symptoms range from upset stomach to
loss of appetite, irritability, restlessness, and insomnia.
The symptoms of pinworm infection are caused by the female pinworm laying her eggs.
Most infected individuals have few or no symptoms but, if the infection is heavy, the symptoms can be correspondingly more severe.
How is pinworm infection diagnosed?
If pinworms are suspected, transparent adhesive tape or a
pinworm paddle (supplied by your healthcare
practitioner) are applied to the anal region. The eggs
(and sometimes the parasites themselves) adhere to the sticky tape or paddle and are identified by examination under a microscope.
The test is sometimes referred to as "the Scotch Tape test."
The test should be done as soon the affected individual wakes up in the morning (because bathing or having a bowel movement may remove
most eggs and parasites). 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: this is another good time to detect the parasites with the
transparent adhesive tape method.
What is the treatment of pinworms; is there a
home treatment?
Pinworm medications
Usually a single tablet of
mebendazole (Vermox) is used for treatment. This can sometimes be repeated a week later or, if infection persists,
the medication is given again three weeks later. Some clinicians recommend a
treatment protocol of a drug dose every 3 weeks, 3 times, so that the person has
effective drug treatment for about 9 weeks total.
Another effective medication is
albendazole (Albenza) but it
may require other medications to reduce the inflammation of the central nervous
system, a side effect of the drug.
Pyrantel pamoate (Pin-Rid,
Pin-X) is available over-the-counter for pinworm after confirmation of the diagnosis by a licensed healthcare
practitioner. Drugs available over-the-counter vary from country to country.
To treat pinworms affecting urinary and genital organs, combination therapy with oral mebendazole
(Vermox) and ivermectin (Stromectol) for the worms as well as topical therapy for the eggs may be required.
Most pinworm infections are treated at home with the above medications.
However, reinfection is fairly common. To both reduce the chances for
reinfection and to help prevent others from getting pinworms, see the prevention
section.
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
Diarrhea is a change is the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency are all symptoms of diarrhea. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.
Anal itching is the irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, accompanied by the desire to scratch. Causes include everything from irritating foods we eat, to certain disease and infections. Treatment options include local anesthetics, vasoconstrictors, protectants, astringents, antiseptics, keratolytics, analgesics, and corticosteroids. If condition persists, a doctor examination may be needed to identify an underlying cause.
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. Not getting enough sleep can hurt memory performance, health, and your mood.
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.
Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, is the accidental passage of urine while asleep. There are two types of bedwetting: primary and secondary. Primary enuresis is bedwetting since infancy, and secondary enuresis is bedwetting after being consistently dry for at least six months.
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