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Original poster

Threadworms that will not go away, help!

43 replies

Rainbow24x · 31/10/2024 21:23

Has anyone successfully got rid of threadworms using any other method other than using mebendazole? I’ve been cleaning everything constantly, cleaning nails, daily bed changes, hoovers, washing in the morning, Vaseline at night. Taken mebendazole more than once and it doesn’t work for us! I am demented to say the least and it’s really getting me down. Does anyone have any advice on things that have worked for them? This has been ongoing for months x

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbow24x · 04/12/2024 06:01

SpeculativeHoumous · 04/12/2024 05:45

Have you spoken to the school?

No. But only because this has been a problem since nursery so I don’t think school is the source. I think the medication just doesn’t work for us. I did speak to the nursery at the time. I thought the break between nursery finishing and school starting would have got rid of them as we took the medication then but it didn’t. I asked the GP can they be resistant to the medication and she said she’s never heard of it not working. So I am at a total loss. Feel like there’s no help out there for us

OP posts:
TwinklyOrca · 04/12/2024 06:11

It can be possible for parasites to become resistant to medications - might be worth trying an alternative type of medicine just to “switch” it up and see if it is more effective. The daily cleaning you’re doing - have you checked the temperature which kills the eggs ? Some parasites only die in temps of 60 degrees + ? I don’t know much about thread worms, so just being general re the advise, I caught giardia in South Africa from the water, and that can only be killed in 90 degree heat.

also you may want to check if thread worms can be transmitted via breast milk ? As I’ve read that children can infect mothers through breast feeding ?

EllaPaella · 04/12/2024 06:12

I had them when I was pregnant with my second DC so couldn't take the medication. It was a nightmare. Constant daily washing, scrubbjng, laundry changes, hoovering.
I seem to be more prone to catching them from DC as my DH never seems to get them and I agree with you OP that the medication doesn't seem so effective.
We even had them during lockdown when the kids weren't in school and even they were being being facisdious about hand hygeine.
In the end we ended up doing the treatment and then worming ourselves like the dog each month for three months and that finally seemed to work.
You have all my sympathy- it's horrible.

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gamerchick · 04/12/2024 06:14

Thing is, even if they did become resistant to the medication, they don't live very long. Without reinfection they would be gone in 6 weeks. If the medication didn't work on you, they would have gone by now.

Are you actually seeing live worms? As in moving around, not white dots.

gamerchick · 04/12/2024 06:17

TwinklyOrca · 04/12/2024 06:11

It can be possible for parasites to become resistant to medications - might be worth trying an alternative type of medicine just to “switch” it up and see if it is more effective. The daily cleaning you’re doing - have you checked the temperature which kills the eggs ? Some parasites only die in temps of 60 degrees + ? I don’t know much about thread worms, so just being general re the advise, I caught giardia in South Africa from the water, and that can only be killed in 90 degree heat.

also you may want to check if thread worms can be transmitted via breast milk ? As I’ve read that children can infect mothers through breast feeding ?

Probably should do some reading on threadworms tbh.

Original poster
Rainbow24x · 04/12/2024 06:25

TwinklyOrca · 04/12/2024 06:11

It can be possible for parasites to become resistant to medications - might be worth trying an alternative type of medicine just to “switch” it up and see if it is more effective. The daily cleaning you’re doing - have you checked the temperature which kills the eggs ? Some parasites only die in temps of 60 degrees + ? I don’t know much about thread worms, so just being general re the advise, I caught giardia in South Africa from the water, and that can only be killed in 90 degree heat.

also you may want to check if thread worms can be transmitted via breast milk ? As I’ve read that children can infect mothers through breast feeding ?

I don’t understand how they could be transmitted through breast milk when they live in the gut? My DS2 has shown no signs of having them I’d be able to see them wriggling about in his nappies if he had them

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbow24x · 04/12/2024 06:30

EllaPaella · 04/12/2024 06:12

I had them when I was pregnant with my second DC so couldn't take the medication. It was a nightmare. Constant daily washing, scrubbjng, laundry changes, hoovering.
I seem to be more prone to catching them from DC as my DH never seems to get them and I agree with you OP that the medication doesn't seem so effective.
We even had them during lockdown when the kids weren't in school and even they were being being facisdious about hand hygeine.
In the end we ended up doing the treatment and then worming ourselves like the dog each month for three months and that finally seemed to work.
You have all my sympathy- it's horrible.

I took the medication whilst pregnant on the advice from obstetrics. Apparently it’s poorly absorbed from the gut. Glad to hear you finally got rid of them, they are horrible

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbow24x · 04/12/2024 06:39

gamerchick · 04/12/2024 06:14

Thing is, even if they did become resistant to the medication, they don't live very long. Without reinfection they would be gone in 6 weeks. If the medication didn't work on you, they would have gone by now.

Are you actually seeing live worms? As in moving around, not white dots.

Edited

I think with a young child it’s really difficult not to reinfect themselves then us which is why I really wish the medication would have worked as otherwise it’s just a vicious circle. You don’t always see them moving unfortunately. Sometimes can’t see anything at all as it’s down the toilet and difficult to see. Other times see the white but not moving. Im at the stage of looking at every poo in the house. Im in no doubt that its threadworms

OP posts:
Haroldwilson · 04/12/2024 06:40

Slightly leftfield but have you thought of a herbalist? I bet there are herbs that would sort it.

Ethny · 04/12/2024 06:45

gamerchick · 04/12/2024 06:14

Thing is, even if they did become resistant to the medication, they don't live very long. Without reinfection they would be gone in 6 weeks. If the medication didn't work on you, they would have gone by now.

Are you actually seeing live worms? As in moving around, not white dots.

Edited

I saw 2 adult worms on me 6 days after the last dose of treatment. I took ovex 3 times every two weeks. Sometimes even more often.

gamerchick · 04/12/2024 06:59

Rainbow24x · 04/12/2024 06:39

I think with a young child it’s really difficult not to reinfect themselves then us which is why I really wish the medication would have worked as otherwise it’s just a vicious circle. You don’t always see them moving unfortunately. Sometimes can’t see anything at all as it’s down the toilet and difficult to see. Other times see the white but not moving. Im at the stage of looking at every poo in the house. Im in no doubt that its threadworms

Show quote history

Aside from the what you're seeing in the poo. What else makes you believe they're still there?

teenangst5 · 04/12/2024 07:05

Keep doing the meds every 2 weeks. Try to go away for a couple of weeks as well. Pumpkin seeds and absolutely no sugar for anyone. Keep at it with the washing, they will go, my hands were bleeding at one point.

paranoidmumdroid1 · 04/12/2024 07:26

I posted higher up on your thread. The only way we got rid of them was 1 x Ovex/Boots own brand twice a day (morning and evening) for 3 consecutive days.

paranoidmumdroid1 · 04/12/2024 07:29

That is the dose for other types of worm (see NHS advice) so it's ok to use this dosing.
And it worked for my ds after the one weekly tablet didn't.

Original poster
Rainbow24x · 04/12/2024 07:59

gamerchick · 04/12/2024 06:59

Aside from the what you're seeing in the poo. What else makes you believe they're still there?

Show quote history

Itching and white speckles on black underwear

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbow24x · 04/12/2024 08:06

Haroldwilson · 04/12/2024 06:40

Slightly leftfield but have you thought of a herbalist? I bet there are herbs that would sort it.

I think this may be my next move

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbow24x · 04/12/2024 08:07

teenangst5 · 04/12/2024 07:05

Keep doing the meds every 2 weeks. Try to go away for a couple of weeks as well. Pumpkin seeds and absolutely no sugar for anyone. Keep at it with the washing, they will go, my hands were bleeding at one point.

My hands have also been like this and the cold weather doesn’t help

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbow24x · 04/12/2024 08:08

paranoidmumdroid1 · 04/12/2024 07:26

I posted higher up on your thread. The only way we got rid of them was 1 x Ovex/Boots own brand twice a day (morning and evening) for 3 consecutive days.

I’m unsure if I’d be able to do this as I’m breastfeeding but I will look into it, thanks

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