eek!! - DS has worms, what do I need to do?

[sillytart]

Have just discovered ds has worms. So I need to get the medicine tomorrow & all of us take it? What else do I need to do? I am sure I have read that you need to wash bedding everyday - is that right?
Also, how long before the medicine works & they disappear?
All advice & experiences welcome - please share!!!

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

We thought DS1 had them.

I got some good advice on this thread

[DilysPrice]

Change all the bedding immediately after you take the tablets and then sleep in tight fitting knickers (which you then wash daily of course), take another tablet 1 (or possibly 2, can't remember) week later, change all the bedding again, and carry on in pants for another week.

Daily bedding changes shouldn't be necessary - the important thing is taking the second dose.

[tiredteddy]

My Ds2 just had worms, we went to chemist and got medicine over the counter, it was a liquid rather than tablets better for little ones. All took one 5ml dose. Washed bedding, towels and clothes and all fine next day, no symptoms at all. Not so bad really x

[sillytart]

Will a 40 degree wash be ok? - thinking about the clothes & cuddly toy, I cando a hotter wash for towels & bedding.
Also what shall I tell him? (he is 7) I don't want to freak him out, but obviously need to stress the importance of good hygenie.

[sillytart]

Should also add that he sucks his finger at night. So how do I stop him scratching? Or will he stop once he has taken the medicine as this will kill the worms?

[tiredteddy]

I found that my son stopped scratching by the next morning, am sure that 40 wash will be fine but maybe check with pharmacist when you buy the medicine? I did explain to my older son cos of all taking Medicine and he was fine but in a typically 7 year old way said it was gross!!

[Elibean]

PJs over pants if he's not too hot - will help him avoid scratching. I did some research (after reading on MN you have to boil wash etc etc) and 40 is fine for clothes and teddies.
The first time we suspected worms (never saw any) I was pregnant and utterly paranoid and boiled everything in sight
The next time (more recently) I was much more restrained, and it worked just as well. DO re-treat when the medicine says to, regardless of further symptoms or not - I think its 2 weeks after initial dose. Tell your ds 'lots and lots of handwashing after toilet, before food, before bed' and cut fingernails short.

[sillytart]

Thanks everyone, have all taken medicine today but says take again in 2 weeks only if reinfected???

[VivaLeBeaver]

I'd take the medicine again in 2 weeks time to make sure. Especially if he sucks his finger, the chances are he could have an egg or 2 under his fingernails and easily ingest the eggs again after taking the first dose of medicine.

[DilysPrice]

Definitely repeat the dose in 2 weeks - the first dose will kill the live worms, but the eggs are tiny and it's almost impossible to guarantee you've eliminated every single one.

[sillytart]

Ok, I will give ds the 2nd dose, but what about the rest of us? If we do not seem to have them do you think we should still do the 2nd dose ourseleves?

[VivaLeBeaver]

It won't do any harm.

[sillytart]

Ok I will do that. I know its a common problem but still makes me feel a bit queasy!!
He took the medicine yesterday, I have cut fingernails short and painted his nails with some nail biting stuff so he can't suck his finger (should have done that ages ago tbh!) and towels from this morning, bedding and nightwear in wash. Fingers crossed this does the trick.

This bit might be too much info so read with caution if eating etc.

However, there were a couple of live ones crawling around his bottom this morning after he had come out of the shower so had to wash again, I thought that they would be dead by now?
Sorry if that was too much info!!