Pinworms: Symptoms
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Symptoms
Pinworms do not usually cause any symptoms beyond minor itching around the anus. Many people with pinworm infections have no symptoms and may never be aware of the infection. The infection can go away without treatment.
The most common symptoms of pinworm infection in children include:
- Itching around the anus. For most children this symptom is mild. Only in rare cases do children have very severe itching.
- Restless sleep (itching is often worse at night).
Other possible symptoms that may be present but are much less common include:
- Loss of appetite.
- Itching in the genital area.
- Pain or burning when urinating.
- Worms in stool (rarely seen).
- Skin rash (hives).
- Grinding of the teeth.
- Bed-wetting.
- Abdominal pain (rare, except when complications develop).
The above symptoms may result in anxiety.
Other conditions with similar symptoms include hemorrhoids and infections caused by other intestinal parasites (Ascaris, Trichuris, or tapeworms).
| Last updated: | September 11, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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