Pinworms are a type of roundworm that infects the human intestines. Each worm is thin and white and measures less than one-half inch, according to the Mayo Clinic. The worms pass from person to person through direct contact with pinworm eggs. After an individual ingests the eggs of a pinworm, the eggs migrate to the intestines to hatch and mature. Some individuals infected with pinworms have no noticeable signs of the infection.
Itching
Female pinworms lay eggs and a sticky substance outside of the anus, which causes the skin in the area to itch, according to the "Merck Manuals." For some individuals, the itching is extremely uncomfortable. Scratching the area may cause raw skin or open sores. Opening the skin by scratching the area increases the risk of a bacterial infection. The pinworms may migrate to the vagina in females, and cause vaginal itching.
Abdominal Distress
Abdominal distress, such as nausea, may occur with a pinworm infection. Although a decreased appetite and weight loss also may occur, these symptoms are most common with severe infestations of pinworms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Insomnia
A person infected with pinworms may have difficulty sleeping because the discomfort and itching on the anus can intensify at night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A restless night can lead to irritable behavior the next day.
