What are pinworms: symptoms, signs and treatment of the parasite

Roundworms - pinworms - are common parasites in children. Pinworms are observed less frequently in adults; infection often occurs through contact with a sick child. Unpleasant symptoms manifest themselves in the digestive tract and nervous system. Getting rid of parasites is not difficult; the main thing is to identify them in time and begin anthelmintic therapy.

general information

The causative agent of enterobiasis is a round nematode called pinworm. Children of preschool age most often become infected with pinworms from other children, through dirty hands, etc. Adults suffer from enterobiasis less often, however, they have similar symptoms to children and are treated with the same medications, only in a higher dosage. Helminthic infestation can occur in acute and chronic phases. In order to recognize acute and chronic enterobiasis, you need to know everything about pinworms.

Causes of pinworms in adults

How do pinworms appear in adults? The main carrier of infection is a sick child or animal. Routes of infection:

• contact-household,
• fecal-oral;
• airborne.

The main source of worms is a person suffering from enterobiasis.
Causes of pinworm infection:

• poor hand hygiene compliance;
• contact with an infected person and his personal belongings;
• infection caused by dirty vegetables and fruits when eaten;
• flies are dangerous to humans, as they are carriers of worm eggs;
• contact with an infected animal causes enterobiasis;
• a helminthic disease caused by contaminated soil or water.

Risk factors

The main risk group for pinworm infection includes young children. That is why in medicine this disease is most often called childhood pinworm. As a rule, a child brings worms into a family and the parents and others around them become infected. If you are infected with pinworms, do not panic. White pinworm worms are not dangerous to human life and health. Even if pinworms enter the body of a pregnant woman, they will not harm the fetus in any way (everyone will remain alive and healthy). The only thing is that if a pregnant woman does not have time to cure her pinworms before the birth of the child, then the white worms can penetrate to the newborn.

Important! If pinworms are detected in one of the family members, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor, get a consultation and undergo full comprehensive treatment for the entire family.

Treatment of pinworms today has become more modern - medications to eliminate worms in the body can be used by both adults and children (and even pregnant women). It is only dangerous to self-medicate. This can only worsen the course of the disease.

Life cycle and localization

During primary infection, pinworm eggs enter the human body through ingestion. They then move to the lower or upper small intestine. The larvae hatching from the eggs are sucked through the mouth to the walls of the organ. In the human body, protozoan nematodes feed on blood and intestinal contents. After fertilization of females, males die and are excreted from the body along with feces. Before fertilization, the female parasite moves to the rectum, where the process itself takes place. Egg maturation begins 2-3 hours after they are laid by the female pinworm. An acceptable temperature regime in the anus area creates favorable conditions for the formation and further life of the larvae. Adult pinworms live in the human intestine for at least three weeks. The female lays eggs once every 14 days.

Pinworms spread throughout the body.

The favorite localization sites for nematodes are the small and large intestines of humans. However, when a large number of pinworms accumulate in the intestines, their active migration throughout the body begins. They can be found in any human organ:

• in the liver,
• in the lungs
• in the nose,
• In eyes,
• on the genitals.

External features of parasites, development in the human body

There are three known varieties of pinworms that can live in the human body. Pinworms belong to the genus of roundworms. Female and male individuals have significant differences in growth: the male reaches two to five millimeters in size, females are three times larger. Helminth eggs are covered with a double, secure shell and are practically colorless. The worms have an elongated shape and differ in tail shape: males have a spiral-shaped process, females are equipped with a straight spine.

About a month after eggs enter the human body, an adult is able to inseminate its “host” with a new batch.

After five to seven hours, larvae hatch from the laid eggs. Pinworm eggs that fall on bedding or underwear cannot immediately transform into larvae. For a month, thanks to a very reliable shell, the eggs retain their viability. During this period, they are likely to die from ultraviolet radiation. When placed in a favorable environment, the eggs will immediately begin to develop. Thus, it takes about two weeks from the larva to the mature individual, and the full life cycle of the pinworm is four weeks.

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Pathogenic effect on the body

Worms have a negative impact on the internal organs and appearance of a person. Due to the internal parasitism of pinworms, the following ailments appear:

• intestinal disorder and inflammation;
• liver enterobiasis;
• stomach problems (gastritis);
• the occurrence of various dermatitis;
• decrease in the body's immune forces;
• frequent acute respiratory diseases;
• exhaustion of the body;
• deterioration in general health.

Symptoms of enterobiasis

Signs of this invasion in adults depend on the intensity of infection.

• itching in the anal area;
• deterioration or, conversely, increase in appetite;
• fluctuations in body weight;
• increased body temperature (over 37 degrees);
• restlessness and anxiety;
• abdominal pain due to enterobiasis;
• nervousness and frequent mood swings;
• rash of unknown origin on the face and other parts of the body;
• sleep disorders.

In some patients with a chronic course of the disease, the symptoms of pinworms may be completely absent. In most cases, the symptoms of pinworms in adults look like this:

• Cracks and ulcers on the skin around the anus. They appear as a result of prolonged and frequent scratching.
• Infectious dermatitis.
• Long-lasting diarrhea or inability to empty the bowels normally.
• Mucus and blood in the stool. In some cases, purulent discharge is present in the stool.
• Increased gas production and bloating.

Associated signs of enterobiasis

Signs of pinworms in adults when localized in other parts of the body:

• nausea and vomiting;
• stomach ache;
• the menstrual cycle is disrupted (periods are absent or too heavy);
• pain and profuse vaginal discharge in women;
• the appearance of burning and itching of the penis in men;
• liver enlargement upon palpation;
• if pinworms appear in the eyeball, vision deteriorates;
• untreatable cough and runny nose.

Consequences of lack of treatment

In the absence of timely treatment, a person begins to develop complications of enterobiasis. This may be inflammation of the intestines due to the reproduction and parasitism of white worms in it. In women, inflammation begins in the vagina, and the bladder becomes infected.

If white worms do not leave the anus and rectum for a long time, then a person develops a pathological course called salpingitis, inflammation of appendicitis occurs (due to the proliferation of white worms in the cecum).

If pinworms crawl into the stomach, peritonitis develops as a result.

Diagnosis of enterobiasis

Helminth eggs can be detected by scraping.
It is not always possible to find out about the presence of pinworms in a person’s intestines on the first, or even on the second, attempt. To obtain the most reliable information, studies are carried out 3 or 4 times with 7-day breaks. Enterobiasis can be identified using diagnostic measures, which include the following tests:

• laboratory diagnostics - stool analysis for eggworm;
• scraping for pinworms (with adhesive tape or a cotton swab);
• blood test (serodiagnosis) for antibodies to pinworms.

Treatment of enterobiasis with traditional methods

Treatment with folk remedies is quite often practiced in our country. Experts do not prohibit treatment with folk remedies, but clarify that this method is only possible in the absence of inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract.

The most common method of treatment with folk remedies is the use of garlic. Its natural properties create discomfort for the normal life of parasites, gradually removing them from the body. Also traditional methods are the consumption of cereals with a high fiber content, which improves intestinal performance.

More complex folk methods are the use of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, treatment with the drainage method using an enema with chamomile infusion.

Although treatment with folk remedies is not prohibited, the use of medications will be more effective.

Carrying out treatment

Treatment of pinworms in adults begins with preparing the body. Preparation includes cleansing the intestines of toxic substances released by pinworms during their life. Cleansing is carried out with the help of therapeutic nutrition and drinking plenty of fluids. Direct treatment of enterobiasis in adults consists of a single dose of an anthelmintic tablet. It is recommended to take the medicine again after 7 days.

Medications

In order to cure enterobiasis in adults, the doctor prescribes anthelmintic drugs, the action of which is aimed at eliminating this particular parasitic species. Common medications to treat pinworms:

• "Pirantel"
• "Helmintox"
• "Piperazine"
• "Dekaris"
• "Mebendazole".

To completely get rid of pinworms, you need to undergo a second course of drug treatment.
These medications are considered the safest for adults and children. They are affordable and effective against pinworms. The choice of dosage and dosage regimen of the drug is determined taking into account the patient’s body weight, the nature of the infection and the location of the accumulation of round nematodes. If a person is diagnosed with enterobiasis in an advanced form, there is no need to be afraid, a specialist will prescribe a better, more effective medication and the helminthic infestation will disappear. Potent medications that can treat enterobiasis:

• "Nemozol"
• "Albendazole"
• "Vermox"
• "Wormil."

Therapeutic diet

Dietary nutrition is observed the day before and on the day of taking medications. It helps cleanse the body of harmful substances and enhance the antihelminthic effect of medications. Therapeutic nutrition involves avoiding foods that harm the body:

• sweets and flour products;
• fried dishes;
• sweet grapes, bananas;
• potatoes and other starchy vegetables;
• remove fatty foods from your diet.

Dill seeds have an anthelmintic effect.
It is better to give preference to foods that can fight pinworms. For example:

• milk and fermented milk products;
• sour varieties of fruits and berries;
• garlic, onion;
• raw pumpkin seeds;
• dill, sorrel;
• drink sour juices and herbal decoctions.

Healer's Recipes

Folk remedies are used in most cases to subsequently prevent the occurrence of pinworms and other types of pathogenic organisms. They are ineffective for treating parasites; however, gynecologists recommend that pregnant women use recipes from traditional healers. The effect of antihelminthics prepared at home is more gentle and safer for the health of the developing fetus. However, before taking any folk remedy, a woman should consult a doctor (gynecologist and parasitologist).

Helminths (adults and eggs) are removed using cleansing enemas, solutions, decoctions and tinctures. Popular recipes from traditional healers:

• Pumpkin seeds with honey. To prepare the healing mixture, you need to take 1/3 cup of peeled pumpkin seeds, 1 tbsp. l. honey The components are mixed and eaten on an empty stomach. 2 hours after using the product, give a cleansing enema or take a laxative. This folk remedy for pinworms in adults will help quickly remove dead nematodes from the intestines.
• Milk with garlic. You need to prepare an infusion of the ingredients. To do this, take 2 cloves of chopped garlic and mix with 200 ml of milk. Boil the infusion for 10 minutes and take 1 tbsp. l. 4 times a day before meals. On the second day of therapy, the symptoms will subside. On the third day, pinworms emerge from the intestines. The course of treatment will be 7 days.
• Enema with wormwood. A decoction of wormwood herb is prepared as an enema liquid. Do the enema daily for 7 days. The cleansing procedure allows you to cure helminthic infestations and remove pinworms and roundworms from the intestines.

Folk remedies

Answering the question of how to get rid of pinworms, traditional methods of treatment offer the following options: 1.
Treatment with garlic
- two crushed cloves of garlic are mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio, taken orally before bed, with plenty of water, for three days. .
A week later the course is repeated. 2. Treatment with pumpkin seeds.
Mix 100 g of crushed raw pumpkin seeds with 100 ml of olive oil.
For three days, take the mixture on an empty stomach in the morning (3 hours before meals). After a two-day break, the course is repeated. A decoction of pumpkin seeds is also effective. 3. Onion treatment.
Approximately 100 g of grated onions are mixed with a teaspoon of salt and 50 ml of sunflower oil.
Use before bed for five days. 4. Rice treatment.
Rice soaked overnight (50 g) is boiled and mixed with two tablespoons of ground dry ginger and a spoon of clove powder. The resulting porridge is eaten for breakfast. After two hours, drink a glass of salt water (a teaspoon of salt per 200 ml). The course is carried out over six days.

Also an effective remedy for pinworms are various herbal decoctions based on:

• dried tansy flowers;
• wormwood herbs;
• collection of equal quantities of watch leaves, tansy flowers, centaury.

Tansy flowers and its essential oil are effective against infection not only with pinworms, but also with roundworms.

If the problem - how to remove pinworms - remains relevant for a long time, then you can try using enemas. For example, from milk with garlic. Boil a head of garlic in a glass of milk until soft and strain. The enema is given at night for a week, at the rate of 1 glass for an adult and half a glass for a child. Although for children, in most cases, using an ordinary cold water enema (200 ml) is sufficient.

When solving the problem of how to treat pinworms in children, it is very important to take into account contraindications to taking wormwood and tansy. Such herbs cannot be used to remove pinworms from a child under 12 years of age. In addition, they may have adverse effects in heart, liver and kidney diseases, as well as during pregnancy.

Prevention of enterobiasis

Following basic rules of personal hygiene will help avoid infection with parasites.
Prevention of pinworms includes the following recommendations:

• Maintain personal hygiene: wash your hands before eating and after interacting with animals.
• Carry out wet cleaning daily.
• Change your underwear regularly.
• Keep the bed and towels clean.
• Wash fresh fruits and vegetables before eating.
• You cannot bite your nails or cut them short.
• Twice a year for prevention, take a drug against parasites.
• At public catering establishments, workers must treat their hands with various antiseptics, such as Chlorhexidine and Miramistin.

Pinworms are not as difficult to remove as roundworms and lamblia. Ascariasis and giardiasis require complex treatment, which consists of the simultaneous use of several types of medications. In order to be treated for enterobiasis, you only need one drug and a short course of restorative therapy. In any case, preventing a disease is always easier than treating it later. To prevent primary and re-infection with helminthic disease, it is recommended to carefully monitor yourself and follow all preventive recommendations.

How does pinworm infection occur?

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The threat of helminth infection accompanies everyone. Without periodic prevention, it is almost impossible to avoid the disease. The most common sources of infection:

• an infected child, when itching occurs, scratches the anus, the eggs get under the nails and spread throughout the house;
• men become infected through shaking hands; it is impossible to wash hands after each greeting.
• dirty fruits; egg carriers are cockroaches and flies;
• a favorable environment for eggs is the hair of domestic animals.