Threadworms or not, how do I know?

[Schulte]

Good evening! So, having recently encountered headlice for the first time, I have now started to wonder about threadworms. DD1 has been saying for a few days that her bottom is itchy, BUT I haven't actually seen her scratching, she sleeps soundly at night, and when I looked with a torch last night I couldn't see anything. Tried to inspect her poo earlier but again, nothing.

Does this sound like threadworms? How do I know for sure? Do I treat on suspicion? Or do I wait for proper evidence? She is a thumbsucker so it wouldn't surprise me... thanks for all advice!

DS had them a month or so ago. I never saw them in his poo, although he said he had. But I did see them v clearly with a torch. I don't know what to recommend if you've not seen them. I have read somewhere that if you lightly press some sellotape to the, ahem, area after the child is asleep, they will stick and you'll see them on that.

No one ever warned me motherhood included inspecting your child's anus by torchlight or bunging sticky tape on it.

I know it's gross isn't it - I wish I had been warned about other things too! I don't know what DD1 will say when I suggest putting some sellotape on her bottom...

You wait till she's asleep, like for the torch. And hope to God she doesn't wake up and tell her therapist about it in years to come.

Just doused us, both boys complaining of itchy anus. Did not shine a torch up their bottoms but older now, so trust them to know if they are itchy.

£7.49 for banana flavoured medicine. 3 doses left.
If you CAT me your address will send it to you.

This is fairly recent.... I suspected threadworm with DD1, did the usual night time inspection but no wrigglies were found, then read somewhere that insufficient washing in the anal area could lead to an itchy bum, too. Remembered that I let DD1 shower herself for a few days prior to this so I gave her a proper scrub and surprise surprise she stopped complaining after that. Worth a try ?

Ask dc to let you look at their bum with a light. If you get them to lightly pull their cheeks apart the worms will squirm and you should see them (sorry graphic). This is how we knew dd had them. Never saw them in her poo.

I was debating coming back to say maybe just give the medicine. I don't think it's very harmful (and I'm really not one for self-medicating)...

Hmmm thanks everyone, think I will just go and get the medicine just in case. I have warned her I might have a look with a torch later and she's not bothered. Maybe this will finally stop her sucking her thumb? [hopeful]

Dededum - thanks but will just pop to the local pharmacy because we'll need 4 doses anyway if we do the whole family. Plus I guess need to repeat after 2 weeks?

No problem Schulte , would it win the prize for the oddest thing to freecycle.