???worms

[helpamamaout]

Is it possible to have worms, even if I've never seen them in poo? Poo often hard. We're doing lots of liquids (and offering high fibre diet). Child also low on iron and on liquid iron.
Back bottom often itchy. Wakes at night (says they don't know why). DC is 3 almost four. A while back was losing weight but that doesn't seem to be an issue now. Sucks thumb.

I'm wondering if it is possible worms could be in harm/firm poo, and I've just not seen them?

Or if not worms what could it be?

Online says worms come out at night. How do I check? Look st pants?

DS1 and DS2 (and me 😭) had them at the beginning of lockdown- I should have known really as DS1 was itching his bottom for a month or so beforehand but I thought it was him having a wedgie (I'll know for next time!) we did see them in poo but you may have to retrieve the poo and investigate (sorry I know that's gross!)

If I were you I would just treat the whole family, cut down fingernails and try to avoid thumb sucking if you can- the wee blighters can get everywhere!

Good luck op- it's grim!

It definitely could be worms, you might see them around the bottom at night as they come down to lay eggs 🤢

You can buy tablets at the chemist.

@helpamamaout

Online says worms come out at night. How do I check? Look st pants?

Yeah I had to get the torch out whilst he was sleeping and check his bum 🙈

I know I should check with pharmacist. Off the top of your head, does it do damage to treat a person for worms if they don't have them?

If it's ok to ask, how did you first think it was worms. Did you see them? Were they obvious?

@helpamamaout

I know I should check with pharmacist. Off the top of your head, does it do damage to treat a person for worms if they don't have them?

If it's ok to ask, how did you first think it was worms. Did you see them? Were they obvious?

No it doesn't. I routinely wormed mine every 2 or 3 months when younger.

Just treat for them anyway, if the itching continues after the 2 weeks and 2 doses for all of you is up then there might be another reason.

I never get the fannying on with torches during the night. Or the sticky tape on the bumhole. Boggles my head.

Sticky tape on the bumhole???!!!!!
I'm scared to ask!

As the poo’s are sometimes hard you may also want to consider whether it might be an anal fissure, which can cause intense itching and sometimes pain.

The minute my DC complain of a sore bottom there given Ovex. My youngest is more sensitive around that area so i do have a look.

Well I wouldn't like to try it I have to say.

Is anal fissure something that gets treated? ?stitch? Or just goes away over time?

DC sees paeds re chest, skin and digestive system (used to be v loose pops, now hard.) Using liquids and diet to try and avoid laxatives.

*poos

It could just be constipation. Try a drink of fresh juice every day, plenty of fruit and veg and loads of plain water. Failing that a couple of squares of exlax chocolate.

Is this the sort of thing you'd ask a chemist/gp about? Or just go through the options one by one.

It was the intensity of the itching that made me think of ???worms tonight

Just take a good look, shine a torch up there at night.

It's grim as hell. But everyone has a shot of ovex and it's over and done with.

Make sure you boil wash sheets and towels.

No, you can order.ovex over the counter without having to explain yourself.

It might not be worms but it won't so any harm to rule them out. Especially with a thumb sucker.

The first time it happened to us many moons ago I did get a torch out and inspect DDs bum in the night and there they were! 🤢

Ever since then I just break out the Ovex on any suspicion. What you are describing would be more than enough suspicion for me. It's just a one off tablet for the whole family and a hot wash of all bedding and PJs. The first time I went nuts dettol wiping all surfaces and freezing soft toys but life's too short for all that so I just do the bedding and PJs now and scrub nails.

Fingers crossed they have outgrown that particular unpleasant phase but really it's about as common as nits apparently. Just keep some Ovex in.

If I were you I would just treat the whole family, cut down fingernails and try to avoid thumb sucking if you can- the wee blighters can get everywhere!

This is what I did too. In my DC’s case it was an anal fissure and he spent months on laxatives but the main symptom was itching (followed by hard stools).

Treating for worms when there isn’t any is harmless.

I agree with others. My DS complained earlier this week so i waited until evening and there it was. So i bathed him twice a day, morning and night, changed his underwear and bedding and cut his nails. If you dont regularly wash the area they will return as the Ovex kills them but the eggs can hatch and cycle repeats

Anal fissures can be tricky to treat but often regular stool softeners can help it to heal up.

Definitely go with the Ovex first though as suggested above, it works very quickly so if he’s well in the next day or two you’ll have your answer!