Pinworm – Latin name Enterobius vermicularis – is perhaps one of the most common worm infections worldwide.
Pinworm is typically considered a childhood infection, causing an itchy butt that drives kids insane at night.
But in my experience, a LOT of adults carry pinworm around with them and it can cause a more diverse array of digestive symptoms. It’s definitely the most common worm infection we find in the Hompes Method Digestive Health MOT.
The male worm is pretty small, measuring 2-5mm in length. The female measures in at 8-15 mm.
Adult worms live in the caecum, appendix and colon. The female migrates down the colon and deposits all her eggs on the perineal skin. Females can deposit up to 17,000 eggs!
What symptoms can pinworm cause?
You’re about to see how pinworm might be the cause, or at least a contributing factor, to a whole range of different issues.
In many cases, Pinworm infections are asymptomatic (cause no symptoms) or are associated with mild peri-anal itching.
The itching is often worse at night, and may cause insomnia and restlessness at night. If you don’t sleep, you’re not likely to feel full of energy during the day.
As well as itching and mild digestive symptoms, pinworm infections may cause – or play a role in – acute appendicitis and may cause symptoms in children that mimic appendicitis.
According to my medical parasitology book, “Chronic abdominal pain is probably more common than is currently recognized.” How many people are walking round with vague abdominal pain that’s just passed of as “IBS” by their doctor?
In women, pinworm may affect the vagina, causing vaginitis and post-menopausal bleeding.
Pinworm may cause urinary tract infections and incontinence in girls, and has been shown to cause problems in the ovaries, epididymis and peritoneum.
Heavily infected children may develop blood loss, poor concentration and emotional disturbances.
Eczema reactions and dermatitis may also be seen.
Some cases of colitis have been reported during pinworm infection that resolved after treatment of the infection.
How is pinworm transmitted?
Pinworm eggs become infective within 6 hours and survive for up to 5 days.
Infection may be acquired by exposure to viable eggs on soil, bed linen and other objects outside or within the household. Thus, it’s common to see pinworm in more than one family member.
Children who suck their fingers – which I used to do – are more likely to be infected.
Confusion over symptoms
As you’ve seen, pinworm can cause a lot of common, every day symptoms.
But so can other things, like the food you eat (e.g. gluten, soy, cow’s milk), and other bad bugs such as different parasites, bacteria and Candida.
Thus, you can’t possibly know what’s causing your individual symptoms unless you take action to change your diet and get a comprehensive digestive health work-up.
Of course, I’m biased, but I wouldn’t be here teaching you this information had I not gone through the Digestive MOT process myself way back in 2007 with my functional medicine doctor.
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Your digestive system is the gateway to the rest of your body and it’s going to be very tough for you to sustain an acceptable level of health (and quality of life) if your digestive system isn’t working properly.
Let me hold your hand through a simple but powerful program to help you restore proper digestion and all the benefits it brings.
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