Patient's question:
NoDoctor's answer:
Pinworms or nematodes. Adult worms are small, milky white, and resemble thread-like structures. Female worms often crawl out of the anus at night to lay eggs, irritating the local skin and causing anal itching. Patients may exhibit restlessness, insomnia, reduced appetite, nocturnal bruxism (teeth grinding), and weight loss. Infants and young children typicallyfrequent nighttime crying and difficulty sleeping. Chronic and recurrent infections can affect children's physical and mental health. Commonly used medications include albendazole and mebendazole, and thiabendazole also has some efficacy. Topical local medications can be thiabendazole ointment, applied around the anus and inside the anus for a week. For those with anal itching, cleaning the perianal and perineal skin before bedtime and applying pinworm ointment for 10–20 days may be helpful.