Understanding Threadworm Eggs - What They Look Like, Symptoms, Spread, Treatment

Understanding Threadworm Eggs and What They Look Like

Threadworm, also known as pinworm, is an intestinal parasite that can infect humans. The adult female threadworm lays her eggs around the anus, which leads to intense itching. Being able to identify threadworm eggs can help diagnose an infection. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on threadworm eggs - their appearance, how they spread, diagnosis, and treatment.

What Are Threadworms?

Threadworms, or Enterobius vermicularis, are tiny parasitic worms that live in the large intestine. An adult threadworm is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and resembles a white piece of thread. The female adult threadworm comes out of the anus at night to lay eggs. She lays about 5,000 to 15,000 eggs during her lifetime. These eggs get stuck on the skin around the anus and cause severe itching.

Threadworm eggs are infectious. When scratched, the eggs get lodged under fingernails and spread further when you touch your mouth or objects around you. Once swallowed, the eggs hatch into larvae in the small intestine, which then travel to the large intestine to develop into adult threadworms.

Threadworm infection is also called enterobiasis or pinworm infection. It spreads easily among family members and groups living in close quarters.

What Do Threadworm Eggs Look Like?

Threadworm eggs are too small to see with the naked eye. They are oval-shaped, transparent, and have a thin shell. The eggs measure 50 to 60 microns by 20 to 30 microns in size, which is about half the size of a dust mite!

Here are some key features that help identify threadworm eggs under a microscope:

• Oval and elongated shape
• Thin outer shell
• Larva folded inside
• One side slightly flattened
• Clear and colorless

Threadworm eggs may resemble other parasite eggs like pinworms, whipworms, or hookworms. However, threadworm eggs can be differentiated by their oval-shape and the presence of a larva inside.

Where Are Threadworm Eggs Found?

Female threadworms lay eggs at night around the anus and vagina. This area becomes inhabited with threadworm eggs. You may also find eggs:

• On underwear, pajamas, bed sheets in the anal region
• Under fingernails and toenails
• On hands, bathroom fixtures, toys, door handles
• Dust around the house

Threadworm eggs can survive for up to 3 weeks on fabrics, carpets, and surfaces around the house. The eggs become infectious within 6 hours of being laid.

Threadworm Eggs Pictures

Here are some pictures of what threadworm eggs look like:

This image shows a cluster of threadworm eggs as seen under a microscope. The eggs are transparent oval shapes with larvae curled up inside.

This is an example of threadworm eggs stuck on clear sticky tape. The tape is pressed against the anal area to collect eggs for diagnosis.

The life cycle of a threadworm begins with infectious eggs. Adult worms lay eggs around the anus which spread through fingernails, surfaces, food, etc. Once swallowed, larvae hatch and develop into adults in the intestines.

How Do You Get Threadworm Eggs?

You can get threadworm eggs through the following means:

• Swallowing infectious eggs spread through unwashed hands, food, or surfaces.
• Touching objects contaminated with eggs and then touching your mouth.
• Eating foods touched by people with eggs under their fingernails.
• Spread from one family member to another.
• Scratching the anal area and getting eggs lodged under nails.
• Not washing hands before meals or after using the toilet.

Symptoms of Threadworm Infection

Here are some common symptoms that indicate the presence of threadworm eggs and infection:

• Intense anal and vaginal itching, especially at night
• Difficulty sleeping due to itching
• Irritability and restlessness
• Wetting the bed
• Difficulty concentrating
• Skin irritation and rashes around anus/vagina

In some cases, symptoms may spread to the urethra and cause difficulty urinating. Some children may experience stomach discomfort and nausea.

How to Diagnose Threadworm Eggs

To check for threadworm eggs, doctors may ask for a perianal tape test. This involves:

• Applying transparent tape on the anal area first thing in the morning before bathing or using the toilet.
• Sticking the tape to a glass slide and examining it under a microscope.
• Looking for eggs which appear as clear oval shapes.

Doctors may also scrape some cells from around the anus and check for eggs. Blood tests are not usually done.

Symptoms like itching around the anus, particularly at night, provide clues about a threadworm infection. But a perianal tape test offers the most definitive diagnosis by detecting eggs.

How to Get Rid of Threadworm Eggs

To eliminate threadworm eggs and stop the infection from spreading, you can:

• Take prescription medication like Albendazole, Mebendazole, Pyrantel pamoate that kills adult worms and eggs.
• Follow a strict hygiene routine - wash hands before eating, after using toilet, keep nails short.
• Shower first thing in the morning to remove eggs around anal area.
• Clean bathroom surfaces, towels, bed linen thoroughly.
• Wash underwear and pajamas in hot water daily.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters throughout home.

All family members should be treated even if they do not show symptoms to prevent reinfection. Medication may need to be repeated after 2-4 weeks.

Are Threadworm Eggs Dangerous?

Threadworm infection is generally not dangerous and mostly affects school-aged kids. But it can lead to some complications if left untreated:

• Skin infection around the anus/vagina
• Difficulty with urination
• Trouble sleeping and poor concentration
• Irritability and behavior issues in children
• Secondary bacterial infections

In rare cases, threadworms may migrate to the urethra, uterus, vagina, or other organs. But this leads to symptoms like blood in urine or stool, abdominal pain, fever and warrants medical care.

How to Prevent Threadworm Infection

You can prevent threadworm eggs from spreading by:

• Washing hands frequently, especially before eating or cooking
• Bathing daily, particularly after waking up
• Trimming fingernails and toenails short
• Avoiding biting or sucking fingernails
• Cleaning bathroom surfaces, toys, furniture regularly
• Washing sleepwear, sheets, clothes in hot water
• Showering after swimming
• Staying home from childcare/school till treated

Practicing good hy

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.