Pinworms are small parasites that can live in the colon and rectum. You get them when you swallow their eggs. The eggs hatch inside your intestines. While you sleep, the female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and lay eggs on nearby skin.
Pinworm infection , also known as enterobiasis , is a human parasitic disease caused by the pinworm. The disease is spread between people by pinworm eggs. Treatment is typically with two doses of the medications mebendazole , pyrantel pamoate , or albendazole two weeks apart. Pinworm infections commonly occur in all parts of the world.
The most common symptom of infection is anal itching, particularly at night, as worms migrate to the host's anal area to lay their eggs. Pinworm infection is the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the United States and one of the most common worldwide. While the infected person sleeps, female pinworms lay thousands of eggs in the folds of skin surrounding the anus. Most people infected with pinworms have no symptoms, but some people experience anal itching and restless sleep.
The pinworm, also known as threadworm, is a very common intestinal parasite. The medical condition associated with pinworm infestation is known as enterobiasis. They are parasites, meaning that they use the human body to survive and reproduce.