Enterobiasis or pinworm infection, as it is commonly called, is an intestinal infection caused by the parasitic roundworm called Enterobius vermicularis. The most common symptom of this irritating, but not particularly dangerous, disease is itching around the anal area.

Enterobiasis is also called seatworm infection or oxyuriasis. It can affect people of any age, but is most common among children ages 5 and under and particularly affects those in the daycare setting.

The disease is highly contagious and is caused by a parasitic worm called Enterobius vermicularis. The adult female worm is about the size of a staple (approximately 1 cm long and 0.5 mm wide) and has a pointed tip. The disease is transmitted by ingesting the eggs of the pinworm. These eggs travel to the small intestine where, after approximately one month, they hatch and mature into adult worms. During the night, the female adult worms travel to the...