To think the 1980s had something better to treat threadworms

[JumpRope]

I remember having them twice and being given something which got rid of the lot.

My ds, 4, has caught them from school (we had a letter home about a month ago saying they'd had some cases). Now I have them and my dd.

Got the metronidazole stuff that's all Boots sell for worm. But I'm reading so many (horror) stories on the internet about worms staying for month/years/ever despite treatment. Is this stuff crap? Weaker than something I would have had in the early 80s!???

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

I don't think so. It's the eggs that hang about and re-infect you, not that the medicine isn't working necessarily.

Key is to wash all the bedding (preferably with napisan), tight fitting underwear at night, obsessive hand washing and nail clipping, washing of soft toys, etc, etc.

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

You can still get Pripsen, which is what we had in the 80s, as well as Ovex. Maybe try a different pharmacy?

It's possible that what's happening is that the medicine is killing the worms but people aren't successfully killing the eggs and hence are reinfecting themselves. If you don't wash your laundry hot it won't kill all the eggs, and people tend to wash cooler these days, so it might be that.

[gordyslovesheep]

pripsum was what we had in the 80's - Ovex is similar and works for us

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

Ovex doesn't kill the eggs at all, that's right. You have to get rid of them by washing and cleanliness.

[gordyslovesheep]

shop.patient.co.uk/pharmacy/Pripsen_Sachets.htm?ID=1728

[JumpRope]

Thanks all. Please can someone tell me they have had them and got rid successfully. I am scared. Washing bed linen etc hot and hanging outside in the sun, which I know the eggs die in.

[gordyslovesheep]

yes - ovex and washing - also treat everyone - worked here

[gamerchick]

that pripsen was made in the bowels of hell itself that stuff... talk about violent runs.. remember it well as a kid.

I think it's best to treat and then treat again like you had to with pripsen and treat everybody in the house at the same time.

The big wipe down to remove eggs from any dust and surfaces and even ironing knicker gussests to kill any eggs.

people usually reinfect themselves again and again... it only takes one egg knocking about.

[JumpRope]

My house is pretty clean, but it's so big...... I have a cleaner and she is great. But one egg? Surely impossible to get them all.

[SapphireMoon]

I was a child of the 70s.
Had vile, vile tasting drink twice [2 weeks apart] proclaiming to be raspberry flavour. Raspberry flavour my arse. Oh how I gagged and didn't eat raspberries for years thinking they would taste like that ghastly drink.
No idea what medication it was. Worked but revolting..

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

Yes, got rid of them without any extra cleaning beyond washing hotter and shouting at the kids about hygiene.

We've had a big outbreak once - about 3 and a half years ago - and a suspected outbreak or two (ie kid complains of itchy bottom so we dose them anyway but no-one actually sees any worms) but nothing within the last year.

[Nomama]

Pripsen, 2 sachets each a single dose, includes Senna to make things easier .

I had to use it a couple of times a work colleague didn't understand the need for hand hygiene or the repeat dose . It doesn't taste too bad, either.

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

That will have been Pripsen, Sapphire.

[CrohnicallyChanging]

What was the name of that disgusting thick red liquid? I remember that in the late 80s or early 90s.

To stop yourself re infecting each other, make sure you and your kids follow good hygiene, washing your hands well after a trip to the toilet and before eating and discourage children from sucking thumbs/biting nails. It's a good idea for everyone to wear underwear at night as you may be scratching in your sleep. I'm sure I remember my mum putting germolene or sudocrem on me at night as well, to stop the worms being able to lay their eggs or something like that?

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

Actually, one of my kids announced she liked it, so I suspect they might have changed the formulation a bit since then!

[CrohnicallyChanging]

X post sapphire, that's the one I remember. The first time mum told me it was Ribena. I didn't fall for that one again!

[Orangeanddemons]

What I want to know is why is Ovex so bloody expensive. Does it need to cost that amount?

[Melfish]

Oh SapphireMoon, just the thought of that vile stuff is enough to make me feel nauseous. Still can remember the taste 30 years on .

[SuedeEffectPochette]

Ovex is yum but Pripsen - the thought of it makes me gag. Sapphire's post I agree with entirely! Ha Ha - nothing actually like raspberries:)

[JumpRope]

I think I had pills not liquid. Agree about the cost, it's JUST cheaper than a prescription charge, but not much.

Should I change jeans/trousers every day (for me, the kids do anyway)?

[BorcestshireBlue]

You need to retreat in two weeks to ensure you have broken the reproductive cycle - Not doing this is why most re-infections occur.

Then the usual - Strips beds and hot wash. Hoover bedroom (including mattress, pillows etc, cut finger nails short)

Ovex (mebendazole not metronidazole) is generally more effective than Pripsen and more palatable too!

Pripsen has senna in it which is what give you diarrhoea.

[GreenPetal94]

I have found that washing the bedding, pyjamas and bath towels is sufficient. I did 60 degree wash. And treat again with ovex after two weeks. BUT ovex will not stop the itching in one days, it takes a few days. We have had them again but months on so I assume it is just reinfecting from little boys who never wash their hands at school.

[BringBackBod]

Oh God, Pripsen. I remember the taste to this day, 35 years on.
It worked though.

[FannyFifer]

Ovex didn't work on my daughter.
We got Prispen, didn't taste as rank as it did in the 80's either which totally did the trick.

[Glitterfeet]

You're supposed to retake them a couple of weeks later. It's also good if everyone in the house takes the tablets, not just the person you think is infected. Tha plus washing everything should be fine.