Parasite problem? - Negative Test Results

[undiagnosedCA]

Hello,
I have been having a very annoying problem in my anal area for the past month.  I have seen my doctor at Kaiser multiple times now but I have gotten nowhere.  

Basically, I have really bad anal itching problems and I see small white things just outside my anus...The white things basically look like small white seeds and/or small white worms.  I get the itching sensation fairly randomly but it becomes more bothersome at night.  Naturally, I thought I had pinworms.  I went to the doctor, got vermox prescribed and had stool tests and the tape test.  The results came back negative for all 3 stool test types and the tape stick test.  Since then I've had the stool test 2 more times and the tape stick test once more.  Every time they come back negative.

Recently, when the itching was bad, I actually inserted the tip of my finger into my anus and rubbed it against the sides.  When I pulled it out I saw a decent amount of "white stuff".  I don't know if it ws multiple parasites or parasite eggs kind of mashed up on my finger or what.

I basically can't sleep through the night now due to the stress of this and the itching itself.

I don't feel like my doctor is anywhere closer to telling me what is going on and I've been dealing wit this for a month.  I also have takena photo of the white things and shown my doctor but he said he couldn't tell what they were because the photo didn't give him a perspective of what they were.  He suggested to me it was probably just food bits, or seeds and asked me what I ate...But I see these things everyday, multiple times a day.  I don't eat anything that regularly...this suggestion of his was laugable.

What do you think I should do?  Do you have any ideas on what it could be?  Oh, I also do have slight hemorrhoid problems but I really feel like this isn't the problem.

Thank you!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the testing thus far, and if the cause is one of the more common parasites, the diagnostic and treatment course would have been appropriate.

I would ensure that the stool be sent out for official ova and parasite studies.  And if the symptoms continue, a lower endoscopy, such as a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, can be done.  

A more definitive test, like a skin biopsy of the affected area, may be helpful if the symptoms continue to be refractory to treatment.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd

[ghjhg]

Sounds like tapeworms.