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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffYou acquire a pinworm infection by ingesting pinworm eggs from contaminated food, drink or hands.
When female pinworms lay eggs in the area around the anus, the anal area usually begins to itch — sometimes severely. When a person scratches the itchy area, the microscopic eggs cling to fingers and are then transferred to other surfaces, such as food, liquids or other people. Pinworm eggs can survive for two to three weeks on these surfaces. A new infection starts when the eggs reach another person's mouth from these contaminated surfaces. You can also reinfect yourself by unknowingly swallowing the eggs again.
