Some of the common symptoms of pinworm infestation are listed below:
1. Itchy rectum, especially at night
One of the most common and the most prominent symptoms of pinworm infestation is the itchy rectal skin. The itching of the anus and the rectum is more severe at night time. Every worm requires a host in order to complete its life cycle. In case of a pinworm the human body acts as the host. Human infestation of the pinworm occurs after accidental ingestion of the pinworm eggs. This is more likely to affect the children as compared to adults. However, once a child is infected with these pinworms, then the infection can pass on to the adults as well. Children have a tendency to put their fingers in their mouth which may result in consumption of pinworm eggs. The female pinworm lays down eggs on the anus and the skin surrounding the anus and then exits the body. These eggs are laid especially at night. As a result of this, the eggs cause intense itching of the anus, rectum and the skin around the anus. The child resorts to scratching the anus in order to relieve the itching.
2. Sore anal skin due to intense scratching
There is intense itching of the anus. The itching of anus is aggravated at night and especially during sleep. So the child scratches the anus. During sleep the child has no control over the scratching and may scratch the anal skin violently in order to relieve the itching. This makes the anal skin sore and red.
3. Eggs may be seen clinging to the anal skin
In other cases of severe pinworm infestation, the eggs may be seen clinging to the anal skin, the rectum and the surrounding skin.
4. Pinworm eggs and adult pinworms may be seen in the stools
The mating of the male pinworm and the female pinworm occurs in the last part of the intestine or the ileum. After the mating, the male pinworm dies and is passed out of the body through the stools. The female pinworm then lays eggs and once the process of reproduction is complete, the female pinworm dies and exits the body through the anus. So the stools of the child may show adult pinworms and sometimes even the pinworm eggs. The adult pinworm is about140 to 150 micrometers in size. It looks yellowish in color and has a slender appearance.
5. Inflammation of the vagina
As the female pinworm lays eggs around the skin of the anus and the surrounding the skin, the person experiences intense itching. As they tend to scratch the anal skin, the infection may spread to the vagina of the female. This may cause inflammation of the vagina along with itching and redness.
6. Reduced appetite
Another symptom of pinworm infestation is reduced appetite or a complete loss of appetite
7. Behavioral changes
Behavioral changes such as irritability may occur as a result of continuous itching and feeling of being unwell.