Threadworms.........

[Northerner]

are apparantly going around ds's school. Have never had them before - what should I look out for and how is it treated?

Since getting the letter I'm sure I now have an itchy bottom........

[prince]

May freak you out but selotape can be used next to the anus, threadworms look like tiny pieces of cotton. visit website www.ovex.co.uk they produce thread worm treatment, also pripsin is another medication. everyone in family should be treated, very common complaint

[geekgrrl]

get that torch out...

try checking his bum before you go to bed. You'll recognise them if there are any there {vomit emoticon]

If you catch them you will know. Trust me, I speak from bitter experience.

Actually, I think if we got a letter like that I'd just worm the whole family without waiting for evidence, I loathe threadworms, and Ovex takes a few, horrible (because the worms are still active) days to work.

[CorpseBride]

There have been 2 thread 'threads' on health very recently - very helpful and very graphic. I'm not posting any info here because I am becoming the 'Worm Queen'. And I don't want to be

[geekgrrl]

well, at least you've got the right name for it, CB!

[Elibean]

Have just had a threadworm scare here - dd, a couple of weeks into nursery, was itching herself from time to time (vagina, mostly) and complaining of soreness/itching when in the bath - and of course once I thought of threadworms, I started itching too. Probably piles, in my case, as I'm pregnant and very itchy anyway

I checked her bum at night with a torch (she's only 2.9 and in nappies at night, and stays fast asleep, so easy enough - but wouldn't do that with an older child unless they woke up from itching, I don't think) and saw nothing. I am still checking her poos, in her potty, and nothing. I've also checked myself in mirror with torch when I've felt itchy/wriggly feelings at night - but again, nothing. Apparently, they are very white and very wriggly and if they are there you will see them easily - there is a photo on one of the websites, might be the Ovex one.

What I've learnt from others, since, is that the poo check is only valid in cases of heavy infestation - so wouldn't bother with that. Checking with a torch, at night, when woken/disturbed by itching seems to be most effective from what others have told me.

I treated as though she ahd them anyway - I'm 30 weeks pg and don't want to take any chances of dealing with this in a few weeks time. Ovex for them, homeopathic stuff for me (Cina 30) and I also went whole hog with daily towel changes, frequent bedding changes, extra hoovering etc. Drew the line at damp dusting, simply because I haven't the energy.

If I were in your shoes, though, with no itching (apart from the psychosomatic sort, which I know is bad enough!) I would just do lots of hand washing, especially first thing in the morning and before food, and make sure everyone has their nails cut really short.
Also, one kind MNer has told me that a few drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract in water (drunk) is effective in keeping them at bay - don't know from personal experience though.

Its good that the school let you know, I'm impressed - seems to me that schools are generally better at talking nits than worms, from what I've heard - hope you don't have to face any anyway, and good luck!

[Elibean]

CB, you're not Wormie are you?

My anonymous pal

[Elibean]

Perhaps I can be the Phantom Worm (drama)Queen...

[CorpseBride]

Elibean - no I'm CJinSx but have been on same threads as you & Wormie recently!

[CorpseBride]

Geekgirl - I mostly have maggots these days. Thread worms are for the living