The pinworms are white, can be seen with the naked eye (no magnification) and are about the length of a staple (about 8-13 mm for female and 2-5mm for male worms). The eggs that are laid by the female worms are not visible as they are about 55 micrometers in diameter and are translucent (see Figure 1).
Can you see pinworms on skin?
Pinworms can often be seen on the anal skin or in the stools, sometimes detected in the vagina, and may produce some vaginal discharge. Some infected individuals may have abdominal pain. Some infected individuals can get secondary bacterial infections from intense skin scratching.
What does a pinworm look like on skin?
Pinworms are thin and white, measuring about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 millimeters) in length. While the infected person sleeps, female pinworms lay thousands of eggs in the folds of skin surrounding the anus.
Are worm eggs visible?
The itchiness tends to be worse or more noticeable at night, and can sometimes wake a person with pinworms. A pinworm can lay thousands of microscopic eggs. Pinworm eggs are not visible to the naked eye.
Can you see pinworms on yourself?
One way to detect pinworms is to shine a flashlight on the anal area. The worms are tiny, white, and threadlike. If none are seen, check for 2 or 3 additional nights. The best way to diagnose this infection is to do a tape test.
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