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Children's health

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Original poster

DS has got an itchy bottom :o/

18 replies

wangle99 · 09/12/2010 19:14

DS7 has been complaining of an itchy bottom for two evenings running now, I've had a look and can't see anything at all apart from a slight redness where he has been scratching.

I know nothing about threadworms, does it sound like it might be?

OP posts:

lucykate · 09/12/2010 19:18

yes. best way to check, is later on this evening when he's fast asleep, is to go under the duvet and have a look with a torch. i had to do that with ds, and spotted them straight away. sounds gross i know, but it's the easiest way. they come out when they're asleep to lay eggs. put him in pants under his pj's, and get some ovex in the morning if he does have them. they are easily treatable.

Mumbybumby · 09/12/2010 19:18

Can't offer any advice I'm afraid but will be watching this as DD (20 m o) has been scratching her bum a bit too and squirming around. I took a close look but couldn't see any sign of worms or eggs so am at a loss as to what it could be!

Mumbybumby · 09/12/2010 19:20

Lucykate, what do they look like and can you see them and the eggs easily?
Am a bit squeamish about 'alive' things but as DP is away I guess it'll be me going in under the duvet! :-S

Original poster

wangle99 · 09/12/2010 19:23

Thanks. Am going to give him a bath now (so I know its not dirt lol) and will investigate later. First time I've come across this so a bit new to me. Appreciate the advice!

OP posts:

CybillLiberty · 09/12/2010 19:24

Put vaseline on bum after washing it-worms cant lay eggs then. Wash bum and fingers first thing too. DOnt share towels etc

get Ovex or similar

dose everyone up

wash everything

keep nails short

We get worms ALL the time

i am an EXPERT

lucykate · 09/12/2010 19:30

they look like pieces of white thread but moving, each one is about 2cm long. i squealed when i saw them! google if you dare, so you know what you're looking for

isn't having kids wonderful?!

Original poster

wangle99 · 09/12/2010 19:35

ooo thats an idea will go and google. I tell you what we have had a week of it in our family;

Weekend - DS got a cold and cough high temp etc

Monday DD had a migraine and came home from school. DH came down with flu. Mon eve DD up all night being sick.

Tuesday I've come down with sinusitis and a chest infection.

DD now got a cough, DS still coughing and splutting and now probably has worms. DH still got a horrendous cough and I have a sinus infection. But at least touch wood no more vomiting.

Off to google worms...

OP posts:

Original poster

wangle99 · 09/12/2010 19:37

Oh dear that wasn't a pleasant experience but at least I know what I'm looking for!

OP posts:

Original poster

wangle99 · 09/12/2010 21:29

I have had a look and can't see anything, do I presume he doesn't have them or presume he does have them and treat them?

OP posts:

SatinShoes · 09/12/2010 21:33

wangle - you might not see them tbh. if he is complaining of an itchy bottom i'd be inclined to treat anyway tbh. you need to treat the whole family.

Meglet · 09/12/2010 21:35

2 CM LONG!!!!

MerryMarigold · 09/12/2010 21:37

I didn't even know there was such a thing as threadworm! My dd2 talks about being itchy quite a lot but she is only just 2. Is there any sign other than itchiness? My ds1 also gets itchy bum as he gets eczema and it seems like just doing a poo, even when it's wiped very well, can aggravate it. But the eczema is very obvious.

Meglet · 09/12/2010 21:45

... have googled them....

billybunter · 09/12/2010 21:48

My GP gave me this tip : stick a piece of Sellotape over the bottom opening. (unless child very obedient, I guess you'd have to wait until they were asleep).

In the morning they will, or won't, be stuck on the tape.

Looking with torches is a bit hit and miss.They may not be out laying eggs at that moment.

I have had the misfortune of having them in the past. Just to reassure/worry you it's unmistakeable. It feels like a worm is trying to crawl out your bum. Which of course, it is.

MerryMarigold · 09/12/2010 21:59

If I get it...just don't know if dd has it. I think she's just making a fuss and wants me to 'put cream on'!

Original poster

wangle99 · 10/12/2010 06:51

Oh DS would love sellotape on his bum, my child is odd I will treat us all anyway but going to try the sellotape purely because I know want to catch a threadworm (oh god I'm odd too aren't I?!)

OP posts:

lucykate · 12/12/2010 21:45

wangle, my ds is a bit odd too. he was disappointed when i said the tablet was going to kill them, he wanted to keep them as pets.

with him, i'd agree is was unmistakable. it wasn't just itching, he woke in the night crying as it was so uncomfortable. even looking, and seeing one moving, and checking in the loo after he'd been treated, i actually only saw a total of two.

Clair100 · 13/12/2010 14:21

Hi,
My DS (5) suffered from a persistant itchy bottom. I treated for threadworms (even though I couldn't see any) but the problem persisted. I took him to the GP several times and was given various creams which did nothing to help. It was only on the third visit to the GP that the locum doctor decided to do a swab test to send away for testing. It was painless and over in seconds - she basically wiped a cotton bud around his bottom. The results came back with a bacterial skin infection inside his bottom. He was given a 10 day course of antibiotics and the problem disapeared and he hasn't had it since. It may be worth you seeing your gp and insisting on a swab test.
Hope this helps

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