Pinworms are a common parasitic intestinal infection. In fact, it is the most common parasitic worm infection in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pinworms can affect people of all ages, but it is particularly common among children. The condition can be treated with an anti-parasitic medication that kills the worms and any eggs they may have laid.
Itching
The most common sign of a pinworm infection is itching around the rectum and anus. In women, the vaginal region may also be itchy. This itchiness develops because female pinworms move from the colon to the anal region while the person they have infected is sleeping to lay her eggs. Because of this pattern, the itching tends to be worse at night.
Difficulty Sleeping
Another sign of a pinworm infection is sudden, unexplained difficulty sleeping or insomnia that has not previously been experienced. Again, the symptoms tend to be noticeable at night because that is when the female worms are moving through the colon and anal region.
Digestive Problems
Some people with pinworms may also experience some mild digestive problems, such as occasional nausea and abdominal pain. In many cases, the symptoms are so mild they are not associated with a pinworm infection until other symptoms develop.
No Symptoms
Many people are infected with pinworms but have no symptoms. In some cases, the worms can live in the body for a long time before the host begins to notice symptoms. As the worms begin to multiply, it is more likely you will begin to notice signs of an infection.
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