Skip to main content

Enterobiasis

 Enterobiasis


DISEASE OVERVIEW

Enterobiasis or pinworm infection is a common, contagious, parasitic infestation found mainly in children. The disorder is spread by swallowing or inhaling the tiny eggs of the pinworm. Enterobiasis rarely causes any serious physical problems except for the main symptom, which is severe rectal itching.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

The major symptom of enterobiasis is itching in the anal area. There may also be restlessness and difficulty sleeping. Secondary bacterial infections may develop in the areas that are constantly scratched and, very infrequently, the vagina may become involved in young girls. Very rarely, enterobiasis may lead to appendicitis or inflammation of the fallopian tubes in females.

Many children with enterobiasis show no symptoms (asymptomatic). In rare cases, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, involuntary discharge of urine at night (enuresis) or stomach pain may occur. The disorder is usually first identified when live, thin, white pinworms, (females are about 10 mm in length and males are 4-5 mm in length) are noticed in the feces.

CAUSES

Enterobiasis is contracted by ingesting the eggs of pinworms, which may be carried on fingernails, clothing, toys or bedding. The eggs may also be inhaled in dust. The infection may be transmitted to others by hand-to-mouth contact with contaminated food or objects.

The female worm, residing in the rectum, usually crawls out through the anus at night and deposits her eggs in the surrounding (perianal) area. The sticky, gelatinous substance in which the eggs are deposited and the movements of the female worm usually cause intense rectal itching. The adult female worm dies after laying the eggs. However, the eggs may survive for as long as three weeks. As the child scratches the area, the tiny eggs become imbedded under the fingernails. These eggs may be swallowed, continuing the parasites’ lifecycle. The parasites reach maturity in the large intestine within two to six weeks.

DISORDERS WITH SIMILAR SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Enterobiasis. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:

Roundworms (Ascariasis) are found in tropical areas. Young children are most commonly affected. Roundworm eggs are passed to the soil through the feces and may remain in the soil for months or years. They are transmitted to humans by hand-to-mouth contact. Symptoms may include fever, cough, wheezing, stomach cramps, and intestinal obstruction. Treatment is usually with such drugs as pyrantel pamoate or mebendazole.

Hookworms are contracted primarily by walking barefooted through contaminated soil. They are most commonly found in temperate and warm, moist climates. The worms penetrate the skin and travel to the small intestine where they attach themselves to the mucosa and suck blood. The most common symptom is abdominal pain. Anemia may also occur.

STANDARD THERAPIES

Enterobiasis usually is self-limiting if good hygiene is followed. However, most individuals prefer some type of treatment, and the drug pyrantel pamoate is usually prescribed. One dose of pyrantel pamoate, repeated in two weeks, usually stops the infestation. Reinfestation is likely since eggs deposited as long as one week after therapy may survive, and eggs deposited before therapy may survive for up to three weeks. The entire family is usually treated. Petroleum jelly may be applied topically to relieve itching.

Treatment to prevent reinfection includes careful attention to personal hygiene, especially the washing of hands and fingernails, clothing and bed linens.

TYPE OF DOCTOR AND DEPARTMENT: General Physician Can Daignose This Disease. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Charge Syndrome

Overview CHARGE syndrome is a recognizable genetic syndrome with known pattern of features. It is an extremely complex syndrome, involving extensive medical and physical difficulties that differ from child to child. CHARGE syndrome is correlated with genetic mutation to CHD7 and the prevalence of CHARGE syndrome is 1:10,000-1:15,000 live births. Babies with CHARGE syndrome are often born with life-threatening birth defects. They spend many months in the hospital and undergo many surgeries and other treatments. Swallowing and breathing problems make life difficult even when they come home. Most have hearing two little girls sitting on a carpet, one girl has a trach and is biting her finger.loss, vision loss, and balance problems that delay their development and communication. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, children with CHARGE syndrome often far surpass their medical, physical, educational, and social expectations. One of the hidden features of CHARGE syndrome is the ...
7 comments
Read more

Acral Peeling Skin Syndrome

Overview Acral peeling skin syndrome is a skin disorder characterized by painless peeling of the top layer of skin. The term "acral" refers to the fact that the skin peeling in this condition is most apparent on the hands and feet. Occasionally, peeling also occurs on the arms and legs. The peeling is usually evident from birth, although the condition can also begin in childhood or later in life. Skin peeling is made worse by exposure to heat, humidity and other forms of moisture, and friction. The underlying skin may be temporarily red and itchy, but it typically heals without scarring. Acral peeling skin syndrome is not associated with any other health problems. Symptoms The main symptom of APSS is the painless peeling of the skin. Most people can remove this skin by hand, and it may come off in sheets, similar to peeling skin after a sunburn. 1. blistering 2. itching 3. easily removable hairs If a person exposes their skin to heat, sweat, or water, they may notice that the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sjogren's syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome Overview Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. In Sjogren's syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first — resulting in decreased tears and saliva. Although you can develop Sjogren's syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in women. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Symptoms The two main symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome are: Dry eyes . Your eyes might burn, itch or feel gritty — as if there's sand in them. Dry mouth. Your mouth might feel like it's full of cotton, making it difficult to swallow or speak. Some people with Sjogren's syndrome also have one or more of the following: Joint pain, swel...
Post a Comment
Read more