itchy bottom - sorry to lower the tone

[misshardbroom]

So DD (5) was awake at 10pm screeching and caterwauling because her bottom was unbearably itchy. On further interrogation she did definitely mean her bottom rather than fanjo, and to be fair, she was really being driven mad with it.

Obviously, I immediately thought 'worms' and had a quick shufty under the covers with a flashlight, but there was no sign of anything wormy whatsoever.

Also no spots, or much redness other than where she had scratched and scratched.

I don't have any sort of nappy cream in the house any more, so I put some Savlon on it in the hope it would be soothing, and eventually gave her Calpol as well in the hope that if it didn't ease the discomfort then at least it would have a placebo effect.

Seems fine this morning.

But if we have a rerun tonight...
a) what else could it be, other than worms?
b) what else could I do to alleviate it?

all you can do is check when he poos to see if any comes out

nit sure what else it can be either other than this aloe vera based cream could be cooling and relieving

thrush?

I think you only see the worms in the poo - like fine threads.
What causes the itching is the eggs they leave around the bottom, I think. Also, the itchiness is supposed to increase at night-time.
I think you may need to check her poo first, before dismissing worms.
However, I only know this from reading up on worms when ds had them. I'm not a medical type.
If it is, then it can be sorted with just one pill though. (DS calls it an "itchy bottom tablet")

WORM EXPERT HERE - We are the worm champions of Surrey

The itching is caused by the worms coming out of the anus to lay their eggs. It tickles and itches and is maddening (I should know)But unless you watch for a while you are unlikely to see them 'in action'.

Get some Ovex or similar and get everyone dosed up. Wash all her bedding and towels , hoover really well and make sure she sleeps with knickers on to reduce the bum itching/fingers in mouth scenario.

And make sure you do the follow up dose 2 weeks later.

Thanks, worm-watchers! I knew kind MN-ers would have the answers.

So Ovex, you say? What form does it take? There's probably a snowball's chance of getting a tablet down her, please tell me it's liquid.

Yes it is liquid. And tastes of bananas.

Yes DS 5 had this a couple of months ago - I couldnt see anything but he was in absolute agony with it whcih was awful - ovex cleared it up - and we all had to take it its fine to take not too grim.....
worked immediatly preety much...

yes its liquid

definately worms - they comes out at night! I am an expert too with plenty of personal experience.
Scratch, scratch.....

encourage child to wash hands more often and should sort itself out.

Ovex really good, in tablet form and chewable but quite expensive. We try and keep some in the cupboard for emergencies.

good luck

I find that metanium (yellow nappy rash cream) discourages the worms from coming out if laid on thickly around the anus. if the worms don't come out, no itching.

Vaseline does the same. The worms get stuck.