Thread worm!!!!!

[figleaf]

My 4 y.o has got thread worm. Hes had an itchy bum at night for weeks (off and on) but it was really bad this weekend. The Dr said its itchy because they come out at night to lay eggs <br /> I have to give him 1 spoon of a liquid medicine today and wash his nails and bum each morning for the next 2 weeks. <br /> Ive never heard of these thread worms before, is there anything else that I should be doing eg burning all my bedding?

[figleaf]

bump

[NotQuiteCockney]

Everyone gets these eventually, especially if your kids suck their thumbs and don't live in a bubble. If you search you'll find lots of threads (ha!) on them.

You want to be washing bedding more often, not sharing towels, and vacuuming often. You might want to all take the medicine, although, frankly, if you get them yourself, you will know. The itching is unbearable.

[Lacrimosa]

You can get a family pack of tablets from the chemist and everyone can take them just in case! also if you have pets make sure that they are all wormed!

[omega2]

I am surprised the GP didn't say the whole family had to take the medicine as i remember when one of my charges had worms all the family had to take it. (I only remember os the medicine was banana flavour and disgusting).

Maybe get little one to wear a pair of pants in bed as well as PJ bottoms to try and keep hands away. Also make sure he washes his hads first thing in morning and last thing at night.

[MrsWood]

yes, the whole family should take a medicine (one tablet I think per person). You all need to use separate towels, and the infected person should have their towel and sheets changed daily as, yes, worms lay eggs at night (in fact, if you look at his bum in the dark, you will see them - they shine!). They're just very uncomfortable that's all. I've had them when I was little quite often as I used to play in the mud / on the grass a lot. Itchy like hell! They can also make you vomit if left untreated so make sure your child takes medicine given. Thread worms will mostly appear when hands are not washed before putting them in his mouth. Just make sure he washes his hands regurlary. Or, as they're contagious, maybe someone else passed them on to him - at school / playground?

[fairyjay]

My dd had them a couple of times. We all had to take a tablet initially, and then follow it up with a second dose one or two weeks later.

[geekgrrl]

and do lots of dusting - the eggs become airborne. yuk. definitely get everybody to take the medicine, make sure the kids wear pants and pyjama bottoms at night and treat underwear like toxic waste (no need to burn it though, but wash asap and wash hands after handling it).

[figleaf]

How terrible is all that but thanks everyone the tips are apprieciated .I have removed all towels/flannels and nightwear and replaced with new. Both boys have taken the babana flavour liquid - will debate with DH later if we should take it too. When they are at school tomorrow I`ll have a big detox of the house.

[Aero]

Yes - we've had thes in the house last year - total nightmare for dd, then ds1 and I also got them! Ovex is the name of the tablets you want and treat everyone. They're so easy to treat though and as long as you are scrupulous about the cleaning/hoovering/washing over the next six weeks or so, you should have no more trouble.
I'll try and find an info link for you.

[Blandmum]

The whole family needs to be treated since you can inhale the airbourne eggs. It is aslo a good idea to get everyone to wear pants/knickers as well as their night things, take these off and wash around the anus first thing in the morning.

Don't burn the beding, a hot wash will do it.

40% of primary age kids have thread worms at any one time!

[Aero]

Here you go. Maybe only strict regime for two weeks according to this.

[figleaf]

Aero good info page - thanks
mbish` - am washing the bedding as I type.

[nannyme]

I had them when my daughter got them. Boy did I freak! Not because I thought it was dirty, but because I have a phobia of caterpillars and worms. I would have burned my bottom never mind the bedding, to get rid of them. I was almost hyperventilating down the phone to a male nurse at nhs direct! I even asked him if going to bed with a torch would stop them from coming out.

No helpful advice due to good links already posted.

We had problems getting school to take as much notice as they do over headlice. Headlice are 'fashionable' worms not it would seem.

[nannyme]

Just thought I should add, but sure your pharmacist will have, DO NOT, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT take if you or person taking OVEX (or similar) may be pregnant. We had to advise our au pair of this which was a little awkward but it is really, really important.