Causes of pinworm infection
It is easy to contract pinworm infection, as it is highly contagious. Here is the steps of the infection cycle:
- Firstly, you get the infection when you ingest or inhale pinworm eggs. The eggs are not visible to the eyes so you might not know when it happens. These microscopic eggs are usually deposited onto a surface by someone who is infected.
- The eggs stay in the intestines until they hatch and mature.
- Adult female pinworms move into the colon [1] and exit the body through the anus at night. They lay eggs in the skin folds around the anus and return to the colon. It is the eggs that cause itching and irritation in that area.
When the person who has a pinworm infection scratches the affected area, the eggs transfer to the fingers and under the fingernails. The eggs can transfer to anything the person touches and survive on any indoor surface, such as a fabric.
Surfaces where pinworms can be found:
- Towels
- Beddings
- Clothings
- Food
- Toilet seat
- Toys
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [2], it is also possible to inhale eggs that are in the air. Shaking infected bedding, towels, or clothing may cause this to occur.
Eating after scratching an infected region increases the risk of accidentally ingesting pinworm eggs. This can result in another pinworm infection.
Sometimes, eggs on the anus fold will hatch, allowing the larvae to enter the large intestine once more. This can result in the infection lasting forever if it is not treated.