Pinworms Also Known As Threadworms

Pinworms infections are highly contagious. You become infected with pin worms by unintentionally ingesting or inhaling pinworm eggs.
These eggs are usually deposited on to a surface or object by a person who’s been infected. The cycle of infection begins with the ingestion of these microscopic eggs.
Once the eggs enter your body, they remain in the intestine until they hatch and mature. As adults, the female pinworms move into the colon and exit the body through the anus at night.
Female pinworms lay eggs in the folds of skin around the anus and then return to t
he colon. The presence of these eggs often causes anal itching and irritation
When a person scratches the affected area, the pin worm eggs transfer to the fingers. The eggs can survive for several hours on your hands.
If a person who’s been infected touches household objects like bedding, clothing, toilet seats or toys, the eggs will transfer to these objects. Pinworm eggs can survive on these contaminated surfaces for up to 3 weeks.
Children transfer pinworm eggs easily because they may put infected toy or other objects directly into their mouths. The eggs can also transfer from contaminated fingers directly to food or liquids.
Pinworms generally live for up to 13 weeks. Scratching an affected area can lead to unintentional ingestion, which can lead to reinfection and a restart of the entire pinworm life process.
Sometimes, eggs on the anus can hatch and the pinworm larvae can reinfect the intestine that they came from. This can cause an infection to continue indefinitely if it’s not treated.
Risk Factors-
While anyone can get a pinworm infection, the following groups are more susceptible –
• Children who attend day care, preschool, or elementary school
• family members or caregivers of people who have been infected
• Children or adults who don’t practice regular and careful handwashing prior to eating
• Children who have a habit of sucking their sucking their thumbs
• Individuals who live in institutions other crowded accomodations, such as dormitories
Complications-
Typical pinworm infections don’t cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of female genitals called vulvovaginitis.
Although rare, other complications of a pinworm infection may include –
• Urinary tract infections
• Weight loss
• Infection of part of the abdomen (peritoneal cavity)
• Bacterial infection from scratching the anal area
• Appendicitis
Prevention –
• Wash your anal area properly in the morning
• Change underwear and bedding daily
• Launder in hot water
• Don’t scratch anal area
• Wash your hands properly
Diagnosis-
If pinworms are suspected transparent, adhesive tape or a pinworm paddle 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 is sometimes referred to as” the tape test”.This test should be done as soon as the patient wakes up – before he/she use the bathroom, shower or get dressed.
Treatment-
Following medications are available as option to kill the worms-
• AlbendazoIe
• Mebendazole
You may need to take at least two doses to get rid of the worms completely.For best results, treat the infected person and everyone in your house at the same time.
Ayurvedic Perspective –
In Ayurveda worms infestation are included  in Krimi Roga. Pinworms comes under type of worms called Purishaja Krimi, in Ayurveda.
Beneficial Herbs-
• Ajwain –

• Hingu-

• Carrots juice –

• Bitter Gourd juice –

• Papaya –

• Pumpkin Seeds-

• Karanja –

• Vidanga –

Effective Medications –
• Vidangadi lauh
• Krimikuthar Ras
• Palashbeeja Churna
• Bilvadi Gutika
• Vidangarhishta
• Hingwashtaka churna
• Praval panchamrit