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| Alternative Names: | Enterobiasis; Oxyuriasis; Pinworm infection
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| Symptoms: | - intense itching around the anus
- irritability (usually due to itching and interruption of sleep at night)
- sleep disturbance (usually due to itching that occurs during the night when the adult worms migrate out through the anus to lay their eggs)
- decreased appetite and weight loss (this is uncommon but can occur in severe infections)
- vaginal irritation or discomfort in young girls (if an adult worm enters the vagina rather than the anus)
- excoriation, irritation or infection of the skin around the anus from constant scratching
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| Signs and tests: | Pinworms can be spotted in the anal area, as the worms often lay their eggs there at night.
TAPE TEST:
A piece of cellophane tape is pressed against the skin around the anus, preferably in the morning before bathing or using the toilet, as these activities may inadvertently remove any eggs. Then the tape is removed and stuck to a microscope slide for later observation. If eggs are present, pinworm infection is confirmed.
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Review Date: 8/11/2003
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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