Indestructible Threadworms!

[CountryGal13]

Hi everyone, I've never posted here before but I've been reading the threads on tapeworms and wanted to ask for your opinions...

DD2 (4yrs) started scratching her bottom approximately late January time. She suffers with eczema so I treated it as such for a few weeks. When was putting cream on one night I spotted a worm and upon closer inspection she was riddled with them! DD1 (6yrs) had also started to complain of itching down below so I treated them both with Ovex tablets. DD2 only had one dose because she told me she was fine but DD1 had 2 doses because she was still itchy. We only treated the 2 girls because I'm still breastfeeding, our 1 year old is too young + DH is symptomless + couldn't see the point of 1 year old and I weren't being treated.

4 yr old didn't stopped scratching after treatment and also started to complain that her knickers felt wet. There's a tiny bit of yellowish discharge but no smell. I took her back to the Dr who prescribed an anti-bacterial cream, which didn't help. She also tested her water which was clear. I started to apply a 0.5 cortisone every couple of days which helped with the itching. (Dr said it was ok to use)

6 year old told me about 3 weeks ago that she was itchy again. Apparently she'd been itching for a while but didn't want to have to take the disgusting tablet again so kept quiet . After a few nights of inspecting and wondering what was going on I finally spotted a worm! The next day (last Tuesday) I dosed them both again with the Ovex medicine and washed and cleaned like a mad woman. I also started to shower them every morning and was super strict on hand washing. DD1 said she was ok for 3 days but them started itching again on Saturday. She didn't mention it again until last night when she told me her bottom was bothering her again.

DD2 with the eczema insists that she's not scratching but all around her bottom is absolutely raw. I took her to the Drs last week to show him how sore she is and he said not to use any cortisone but use lots of Vaseline to protect the skin, which we've been using day and night. I've booked her back in this afternoon as it doesn't seem like the treatment is working and I don't know why. I disinfected the bathrooms every morning and night. I washed their bedding twice ect. I'm at the end of my tether with it all and I'm so stressed. My anxious mind keeps telling me there's something else wrong with them but rationally I've seen worms in both girls so it has to be that doesn't it... Every thread I read says that the child stopped itching after the treatment but mine don't seem to which is making me worry. I keep checking 1 year olds nappy and I've even checked myself but I can't see anything, although experience had taught me that they can be very good at hiding. Will see what the Dr suggests later but I needed to get it all off my chest so thank you for reading x

Are you following up with a second does of the medicine a week or so later?

They're due for the 2nd dose next Tuesday. Just worried because it seems like the first dose hasn't worked.

I also dosed them a few weeks ago...My 4 year old had 2 doses then but 6 year old only had one because she refused to take the tablet and told me she wasn't itchy anymore. (not sure if she was telling the truth or not)

You need to treat everybody in the household, not just one. It is important. Repeat the dose as per the instruction leaflet.

Everyone needs to be treated, and repeat doses given as instructed, regardless of whether they can see or feel anything, as you have to treat both worms and eggs.

I've asked the Dr but he said he won't prescribe anything because baby is under 2 and I'm still breastfeeding

Sorry if I’ve missed this but have you seen worms recently? If not could the continued itching be the itch-scratch cycle?

Make sure they take both doses. The medicine only kills live worms not the eggs, which is why you need the 2nd dose. You can have worms and be asymptomatic.

The eggs can survive a couple of weeks so any eggs still hanging around can be swallowed and re-infect. You need to break the cycle with both doses of treatment, and meticulous hygiene (difficult for little children).

Did you vacuum around the bed? I would also vacuum everywhere around the bed, including under the bed, behind the bed and the mattress.

Yes, I saw one on my 6 year old Monday of last week. Gave a dose of Ovex the day after + they're due the 2nd dose next Tuesday.

It's my 4 year old who's making herself so sore, I've not actually seen a worm on her since we did the first round of treatments approximately 10 weeks ago.

Yes Elliebow. I vacuumed and disinfected their whole room. I even hoovered the mattresses. I will definitely follow up with a 2nd dose next Tuesday and just concerned because I thought the itching should have stopped by now.

We had a worm outbreak about January in our house as well and this is how we got rid of them.
Everyone in the house must be treated. So you, 1y/o and DH even if there's no physical signs. I had no physical signs but I had them

Thank you. They've been using their own towels but they haven't been single use. We've been shower in the morning and using wet toilet wipes after poos and before bed. I'll ask the Dr again this afternoon if they can prescribe anything for my 17 month old and myself. I did ask last week but he said 'no'. I feel like I've cleaned and washed everything and everyone as much as possible but it still hasn't worked. It difficult too because my young toddler makes it very difficult to do housework and I also work part-time so it's a struggle to keep on top of the house but I've tried so hard this week. I've even been using dettol on all the door handles and anywhere else I think the girls might have touched. Feels like I'm fighting a losing battle.

It's just the ovex tablet for everyone but because your little one is under two the doctor needs to prescribe it for them. You can buy yours over the counter and just take it. That's what we did. Double check but if you take one and are breastfeeding I don't know if that would also mean your little one is treated? I didn't go ott on housework although my house is generally kept quite clean anyway as I have the luxury at the moment of only working a few hours a week. Maybe try bleaching your door handles once rather than Dettol? The smaller your DC are I think the harder it probably is to be rid of them as they're less likely to wash their hands and more likely to put their hands in their mouth. Mine are 8 and 3. Younger DC is a minger so needed constant supervision for hand washing but older DC was so grossed out they thoroughly washed their hands every time!

There is a liquid ovex if your lo doesn't like the tablets. Normally have to use the strict hygiene method if breastfeeding/ under 2. Your dh needs to be treated too btw

www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/threadworms#treating-threadworms

i would take the medicine and give it to the whole family anyway. There arent any tests that the doctor will do first. The benefits to the treatment outweigh the risks.
Plus one dose of ovex has never really been enough for any of us. Takes at least 2 doses, sometimes 3

Yes, we used the liquid form last week. We used the tablets last time we treated and the kids hated them. Dr said that I'm not to treat toddler or myself unfortunately but I'm seeing a different Dr today so will ask again.

My dm used to mash the tablet and stir it into yoghurt to give my brother as he always refused to take it. Good luck op!

Thank you Branleuse. It's so good to hear that they don't disappear after the first dose for everyone. I'm so worried that everything we're doing doesn't seem to be working