To consider installing some kind of sheep dip at our front door

[Areyoufree]

I think my kids have threadworms. Ugh. Just as I am recovering from their nit infestation. Germy little buggers. Military style cleaning operation over here.

Sigh. Anyone else dealing with parasites on this lovely, Sunday morning? Anyone want to offer any worming tips?

Try not to stress too much. Threadworms are incredibly uncomfortable (I had massive problems with them as a child) but very easy to treat with an over the counter product (get the tablet, not the drink which is disgusting) and regular sheet and towel washing. Oddly enough my DCs never had them.

Nits, OTH, are much more difficult to shift and only regular, thorough conditioning and nit combing worked on my children. It became a twice weekly ritual in front of a Disney movie. Even when they didn't have them I would continue as a precaution. That period of our life seemed to go on for years and is one aspect of their childhood I don't miss. I still find nit combs hidden in the backs of cupboards and drawers.

Yes, a weekly Nitty Gritty has become a ritual here, too. Lovely. This is not how I saw my life panning out!

Ditto with the Nitty gritty! My middle DC got/ gets threadworms regularly. The doctor's theory was that at one point he was sitting in a group with a child who was untreated and kept getting reinfected as he was/ is a nail biter. Action stations every time with boil washing everyone's sheets/ towels/ underwear / jammies- pita esp in winter. I put anti- bac gel in all their school bags and remind them constantly to use it. Get everyone in family to take a tablet regardless off symptoms and again in 3 weeks.
I dread the call of " I have a tickley bum!'
Interestingly, the doctor asked me to have a word with the school as it was happening so often, schools are quick to issue guidance on nits but not threadworms and apparently up to a third of all kids have them at any one time. The DHT had NO knowledge of them at all (!!!!!) and was clearly grossed out by my description. Eventually, they put a letter and information leaflet out.
I feel your pain and good luck x

Anti bacterial gel won't protect against threadworms. They are worms not germs! Regular handwashing would be more effective but given that the eggs are sticky and lodge deep under fingernails even that isn't a guarantee.

wild Yes, it's funny how worms are a bit of a taboo subject. Both my kids school and preschool have recently and regularly issued nits alerts, but no mention of worms. I shall probably have a quiet word in someone's ear - just to warn them that worms could be about.

Liiinoo worm eggs lodged under fingernails? That's a lovely image. As if the thought of them creeping out of bums wasn't bad enough. I have bought a nail brush, in preparation (for the fingernails, not the bums...).

You used to be able to get worm medicine over the counter with the Pharmacy first scheme. As its for kids, its free.
It can take a couple of doses to get them clear, but they're getting them from somewhere so might get reinfested.

I just remembered, you can put them in pants at night so when they scratch they wont pick up eggs.

Yes, a nailbrush is the answer and keeping nails trimmed but I cannot remember the last time I was in a public or school loo with a nailbrush available. About the same time I was in a public loo with rock hard soap and Izal crunchy toilet roll I think.

You're not alone!
I've often been caught wondering why humans can't have a monthly nit/worm preventative like pets. It seems almost preferable to the rigmarole of getting rid if the various nasties people (especially children) can become infested with.

Note - semi-lighthearted. Of course there would be ethical/medical etc reasons, not to mention not wanting to give unnecessary meds monthly.