Threadworms

What are they?

Threadworms (pinworms) are tiny worms in your poo. They look like pieces of white thread.

They’re common in children and spread easily. You might also see them around your child’s bottom. The worms usually come out at night while your child is sleeping. You can treat them without seeing your GP.

What are the symptoms?

Extreme itching around the anus or vagina, particularly at night, irritability and waking up during the night. Less common signs of worms include weight loss, wetting the bed and irritated skin around the anus.

What’s the treatment?

You can buy medicine for threadworms from pharmacies. This is usually a chewable tablet or liquid. Treat everyone in your household, even if they don’t have symptoms. Medicine kills the threadworms, but it doesn’t kill the eggs which can live for up to two weeks outside the body.

How to avoid future infections

Threadworms spread when their eggs are swallowed. They lay eggs around your anus, which make it itchy. The eggs get stuck on your fingers when you scratch. They can then pass on to anything you touch. So, in order to get rid of them, follow these precautions...

■ wash hands often and scrub under fingernails

■ keep fingernails short

■ bathe or shower every morning

■ rinse toothbrushes before using them

■ wash sleepwear, sheets, towels and soft toys (at normal temperature)

■ disinfect kitchen and bathroom surfaces

■ vacuum and dust with a damp cloth

■ don’t shake clothing or bedding, to prevent eggs landing on other surfaces

■ don’t share towels or flannels