Urgh threadworm/pinworms

[HoneyMum21]

We’ve got our first threadworm infection. We’ve done all the stuff - the medicine, the washing, the vacuuming. But, I can’t seem to find a definite answer anywhere - will steam/using a steam cleaner kill the eggs on surfaces? Because apparently I’m not allowed to just steam clean the children’s bums

Bump

Just give the medication and wash the bedding. You don't need to do anything else. The tablets usually work within 24/48 hours. Remember the follow-up dose and treat everyone in the household.

Steam will kill anything. But it's unnecessary, just take the meds at the specified interval and wash everything.

Can I ask how you knew? Were they visible somewhere?

My child has some symptoms but I've not seen any. I'm trying to weigh up whether we need medicine as a precaution.

They come out at night, wiggling out of their bottoms. That causes the itching. Slather the area in sudocrem or Vaseline then they can't irritate the skin. As the buggers can't move so well.

Worms very visible in poo.

@FavouritePi My dd's weren't very visible in her poo. They came out of her vagina (those were the worst ones) and anus at night. She'd been complaining for a few nights but then we had a horrendous night of screaming all night and spotted the worms. The next night was also awful. Third night was alright, fourth fine. She's had them twice and is 5.

Oh goodness! Sounds like it could get really bad.

My DD is eating loads, has tummy pain on and off, complaining of itching in those areas fairly frequently and wakes up crying often.

I've checked and checked but nothing visible at night, I must admit I haven't had a look at poo although I'd rather be safe than sorry. If it settles down in a couple of days we'll know if it was that.

@FavouritePi if you've got girls they can have vaginal/ vulval pain at night because the worms come out of the anus and into the vagina and it causes a lot of pain with them around that areas. Yes it is extremely gross but it's also very common. Slather on a lot of Vaseline so they can't move at night and treat everyone in the house twice and they should be gone

I’m not aware it makes you eat more, they’re not tapeworms. But try the medicine just in case (if you have £20 spare…as one box of 6 doses is £10 and a family of 4 needs 2 x 4 doses. I might have bought some today…)

I used to find out once I got them… now when the repeat offender complains of itchy bum at bedtime we get the medicine out straight away. I won’t take chances with it.

I didn't think that was the case but found a healthcare website that said decrease or increase in appetite was a symptom.

I have no symptoms and I'm pregnant so advice is to avoid medication for me which is a bit annoying but I'll just have to ensure everyone is sticking to the hygiene measures.

I'll keep two boxes in anyway because I will not be caught out in future. Threadworms sound like a particularly gross part of life!

Just make sure you take the second dose. A pharmacist told me DD only needed the second dose if she was still having symptoms. 6 weeks later they were back

Definitely need a second dose 2 weeks later.

I’ve given up doing much in the way of steam cleaning everything, it doesn’t seem to make a difference. DD gets them repeatedly because she bites her nails. And her sodding toenails. I now keep Ovex in at all times. Sigh.

I can tell she has them because she will wake up several nights in a row around the same time, maybe 2-3 hours after going to sleep. I think that’s how long they take to start coming out and laying eggs once you are still and warm. Sometimes I can see one in her anus (ugh) if I look just at the time she’s itchy.

They aren’t visible in poo until a day or two after you take the medicine - until then they cling to intestine walls so don’t come out in poo.

They definitely can come out in poo before taking the medicine. Maybe it depends how heavy the infestation.

Fair enough cats maybe I should be grateful we’ve not had it that badly!