Potential Threadworm but VERY CONFUSED

[100percenthopeless]

At the end of last week, a notification came out alerting that a case of threadworm had been confirmed in my daughter's class (4yo, reception). I didn't think much of it, but for some reason absolute paranoia set in today after deciding to check her. We've both taken Ovex, the house has been turned absolutely upside down to be sprayed, wiped over and washed (not the most fun activity during an energy crisis, I will admit 😅).

I've checked her about 3 times, mostly in the hopes of not seeing anything as I have a phobia of worms in general, I'm separated from her father and I'm not comfortable with anyone else checking her, especially whilst she's sleeping so unfortunately I'm the only one able to actually see if there are any tiny parasitic creatures living within my child.... No thank you.

Well, in the three times I've checked her, I haven't seen any threadworms (at least not if Google images are correct and after at least 30 separate searches minimum, I can only hope) however there are off-white, almost yellow-ish dots? I've searched and SEARCHED but I cannot find ANYTHING. I read briefly somewhere that one mother saw no threadworm but saw larvae. From what I've researched, once eggs hatch the larvae immediately retreat into the intestines so I'm not certain as to whether this could be cause for concern? DD does struggle with wiping, I often have to double/triple check for her so I'm not sure if this could simply be residue though I thoroughly showered her before bed. Surely that would have come out in the shower? I also wiped her during check #2 of the night. Check #3 revealed more of these dots, unless I happened to miss some.

I've asked her if she's itchy, she does tend to scratch there sometimes anyway due to her wiping problem and she's exclaimed that she is itchy though I find it incredibly difficult to tell as she does enjoy saying yes to a lot of things 😅

I'm very much hoping this isn't a case of threadworm though I'm not counting my blessings just yet, not until I've seen nothing of them within the next few weeks. I am, however, a fair bit concerned about what on earth IS on my child if not these.

If anyone would be able to offer any form of advice, knowledge or experience I will greatly appreciate it!

Side note: I'm going to call the GP in the morning and hope they have an appointment for when she's done with school, just looking for absolutely anything in the mean time that may help!

Not to sound rude OP, but you do sound like you are massively overreacting. You’ve checked her over 30+ times in the hopes of “finding” something! those white dots could just be bits of toilet paper. I really wouldn’t waste a GP appointment on this. If she isn’t actually displaying symptoms (losing weight, very itchy, worms in the loo) then just leave it. It sounds like you’re hoping she has them. Also, I wouldn’t keep checking her - it’s her private area and especially doing it when she’s asleep - that just doesn’t sit right with me, and I’m a parent. Leave her alone - I’m sure all is fine if she’s not displaying symptoms of thread worms.

I agree. Big over reaction I'm afraid.
If you've both had Ovex, clean underwear, pyjamas, towels and bedding you'll be fine.

Maybe cut her fingernails and supervise her hand washing after toileting and before eating. Which will ensure she doesn't re-ingest eggs if she does have them.

You really don't need a GP appointment.

check her poop before she flushes, two times a day at most, non invasive. They wiggle it’s easy.

This does sound a bit OTT reaction OP.

However, when my friend was suspicious of worms they put a little drop of honey a on the child's bottom and said within minutes they had all crawled out to get honey. So you could do a little experiment I guess?

@100percenthopeless apologies, I misread - you’ve done 3 checks on child and 30 Google searches. I still think you are overreacting though. Please do as other posters have advised - trim her nails and just check poop in the toilet a couple of times a week. She doesn’t need to go the the Doctors.

Don’t keep checking you’ll make your child paranoid. It’s not the end of the world if they do get them, very easy to treat. My DS saw them in the toilet, no need to check bum

I saw your other response so don't worry - though to note I don't think I'd have the energy to physically do something 30 times within the span of a night 😅

I respect that however it's the biggest piece of advice I've seen across virtually everything, is to check when they're asleep as that's when threadworms are likely to be present.

Her nails are kept short thankfully as she did have a habit of starting to bite them! So that shouldn't be an issue, also in regards to the honey comment - I may attempt this if I have the guts to.

I appreciate it seems quite over the top, neuro-divergency probably doesn't help when it comes to handling scenarios I presume many don't tend to worry much about by the sounds of it, which is actually quite calming to see in all honesty.

In response to it sounding like I hope she has them, I'm very much hoping neither she or I have them.

The GP appointment is a waste of their time and yours. Even if she has them, all they would suggest is what you've already done. If she had them, the ovex would kill them and the laundry/cleaning would prevent reinfection.

If she's got them, you'd know from a check. Also look out for waking lots in the night, itchiness/scratching and wetting herself/wetting the bed.

@100percenthopeless I totally get it. I have horrendous health anxiety (only for other people, never myself) and I understand your concerns. How about leave it for a few days - say until Friday - check her poo and if all clear then leave it for now. I remember when my DC were at nursery and there were lots of signs for threadworms but luckily my DC never caught it. They just have to let you know but if your DD just makes doubly sure she washes her hands (especially before touching food / her face) then she should be fine.

Please don't waste a GP appointment for this. Threadworms are very common, and even if you could see any, there is no need for a GP appointment. You've done the right thing so far. You've both taken Ovex and you've washed her sheets. Stop everything else- the checking and wiping. You'll stress your daughter out.

If you can't stop, you should try to get help for your anxiety.

Thank you!

No that's very correct to be honest.

She tends to wake during the night fairly regularly though I presume this would worsen if she had it so I'll keep an eye out on the off chance!

Thank you ♥️

I think that would be a good idea, I don't want to stress her about it though I have encouraged her with hand washing (well, it's generally encouraged but she does sometimes forget to wash her hands so definitely implementing it more at the moment and in general!), but leaving it until Friday is probably a safe bet and as a plus, it's even more incentive to keep the house super clean! 😅

Try not to get too anxious. You have done the right thing with the Ovex . Sometimes little girls get very itchy vulvas as the worms can creep up the vagina during sleep. A friend of mine put some sticky tape around her sons anus & found some trapped in there .

This was me a few months ago when I learnt that threadowrms existed and had an absolute panic, managed to convince myself and DH that DS had them, treated everyone, cleaned like a lunatic for two weeks, wasting so much water/money/electricity... Now I'm out of the sheer panic I'm 100% sure he never had them in the first place.
I didn't think schools informed of threadworms and I wish they didn't, ignorance is bliss for my anxious mind!
Anyway, I'm just like you so I get it, but as an outsider I can totally see that you are overreacting and you definitely don't want your daughter to pick up on it. Just check her when you're wiping her, and look in the toilet bowl to reassure yourself, and if she doesn't show any symptoms, try to put it out of your mind. Good luck!

You don't need a GP OP. You also don't need to see evidence. Just treat and treat again in 2 weeks. The end.

I wormed my kids regularly when they were young. Like the cat. It's just life.

@100percenthopeless

Please can you tell me if you ever got any answers??? I’m having the same problem with my 14 month old and driving myself crazy 😭 She cannot have ovex (neither can I due to still bf)
I have done the strict cleaning for 8 weeks now - it’s exhausting! I have never seen worms in poo or anything that moves around her bum - but a few times a week I would see the white dots, right at the opening of her bum. It’s random times they appear as well! Very confusing, really hope it’s not worms as I can’t continue this cleaning and feeling constantly dirty

Hi, my son(3 yrs old) has threadworns and for 4 nights in a row was crying and in lots of pain for hours on end. I only realised on the 2nd night what it could be. Last night was alot better and he only cried for a little while but fell asleep at 8pm and never woke back up so Ovex must have worked. Can you speak to GP to give you something else? I've been cleaning non stop it's actually revolting the thought of them I feel mentally scarred lol x

@MamaARA the leaflet says to seek advice before taking whilst breastfeeding. That wording (as opposed to 'do not take if bf') often means it's ok to take. If it were me, I'd check with a gp or pharmacist and just take it.

But for 8 weeks has your child shown symptoms, or are you just overthinking? Whenever mine have had worms, they've wet themselves, been itchy and woken in the night. Their bum area has been red and sore looking even when I couldn't see the actual worms. But I've also always been able to see the worms, even if it sometimes has taken a couple of checks.

I’m having threadworm anxiety and don’t know what to do!!
Paronoid my 2.5 year old has worms …
no itching that I’ve noticed, but he wakes up frequently in the night (always has done) but now he is often v upset and distressed, and sometimes complains of a tummy ache.
He is potty trained, so I haven’t managed to properly check his poo yet. I have a 9m old
too and i checked his poo this morning. There are v thin, small almost fibrous white threads, nothing moving. Could that be worms?? Doesn’t look like the pic on the nhs website which looks very wormy! Would it be so obvious I couldn’t miss it? Would a Gp test the stools? Help!

You're describing worms. It doesnt matter if theyre moving or not. Treat the bairn and the rest of the household. Go and get the liquid ovex for the bairn and the tablets for you. Take them today, they'll take a couple of days to work and again in 2 weeks. Wash all of his bedding and shower him first thing to get rid of any eggs. Pay close attention to his finger nails. Damp dust touch points and stop stressing. It's a normal part of childhood.

I used to worm mine every few months.

And please don't fuck around with torches in the middle of the night. Nothing gets on my tits ends more when people suggest that crap I swear. It just makes the bairn suffer longer.

Thanks so much!! I’m with you, just take the meds and be sure, it’s just my 9m old is so young im a bit nervous about him taking meds if i might be mistaken. I think I just have to bite the bullet and take the meds.

With a baby I'd contact the GP for advice. The stuff we used to get, which was really effective isn't given out anymore I don't think.