Pinworms and frequency therapy

Definition:

Pinworms, also known as Enterobius vermicularis, are small, parasitic roundworms that infest the human intestine. They are the most common cause of worm infections in temperate climates, especially in children.

Appearance:

Pinworms are whitish and thread-like, with a length of about 5 to 13 millimetres. The females are larger than the males.

Life cycle:

Egg ingestion: infection begins when pinworm eggs are ingested, often through contaminated hands, food or surfaces.
Larval development: The eggs hatch in the small intestine and the larvae migrate to the large intestine where they develop into adult worms.
Oviposition: Female worms migrate to the anus region at night to lay eggs, causing itching.
Spread: The itching often leads to scratching, which allows the eggs to get onto the hands and spread further.

Symptoms:

Severe itching in the anal area, especially at night.
Sleep disturbances due to itching.
Irritability and malaise.
In rare cases, abdominal pain and nausea may occur.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is often made by the so-called "adhesive strip test", in which a piece of adhesive tape is applied to the anus region and then examined for eggs under a microscope.

Treatment:

Medication: Anthelmintics such as mebendazole, albendazole or pyrantel pamoate are used for treatment.
Hygiene measures: Thorough hand washing, regular washing of bed linen and clothing and cutting fingernails are important to prevent re-infection.

Prevention:

Good hygiene practices, including regular hand washing, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
Avoiding scratching the anal area to prevent the spread of eggs.
Regular cleaning of living areas to remove the eggs.

Worth knowing:

Pinworm infections are common worldwide and affect people of all ages, but are most common in children.
The infection is usually harmless and easy to treat, but can be bothersome and affect quality of life.

Research:

Research is focussed on improving diagnosis and treatment methods and developing strategies to better control and prevent pinworm infections.