Threadworms at an older age

[Liselot]

A great deal of the messages about threadworms seems to be from parents concerning their children. However, I am 62 and only a couple of months ago discovered that I have this. I have probably had it for a while, but was out and about and changing locations so it wasn't a big problem. Now I am retired it has become a nightmare obsession. My small flat is infected so it is almost impossible to get rid of it. Constant cleaning and washing clothes. When I took ovex twice a day for 3 consecutive days it got better. But then I was re infected. I have a steamer and steam every day. I drink water with 2 tbsp of vinegar twice a day every day. Washed clothes as to be put in sealed holders and kept there for 2 weeks. Eating is difficult. Dishes taken directly from dishwasher. The list goes on and on and it is exhausting.

Are you sure it’s threadworms? I feel like it really shouldn’t be this difficult for an adult with good hygiene practices to get rid of them. What do you mean that your whole flat is infested?

Are you taking mebendazole?

food poisoning cured mine for good, not recommended. I had them as a teen and was too embarrassed and also scared of my mums reaction to say anything. I got food poisoning and they disappeared. Although I do have gut issues and don’t know if it’s from that.

Are you sure it’s definitely threadworms? I’ve had worms (caught from my kids) and was able to rid them by giving the kids the medicine, but I just up with really good hygiene and hot washed everything for a couple of months.

However, I’ve recently had the pleasure of learning that while my internal piles are irritated they can feel eerily similar to worms with the tickly/itchy bum without such soreness that external piles give. So I’d say if you’re keeping up with good hygiene, and it’s been going on a while I’d look into other possibilities.

Yes, I’m baffled too …
how can a whole dwelling by infested -
do you sit on furniture naked ??
threadworms live in your gut and like to lay eggs on your anus -
take the ovex
boil your pants / PJ’s and bedding
repeat
usually job done 👍
oh, and don’t scratch your arse, if u do - wash your hands, scrub under nails - and definitely don’t put your fingers in your mouth !

Are you a nail biter or finger licker? I think that’s why my daughter gets them often.

Try a double layer of pants? Just endless hand washing too. Washing bedding, pants, towels every use. It’s exhausting!

go back to the gp if you’re trying all the usual and not getting anywhere.

You need to take one dose and then another dose a week later, not for 3 consecutive days - it needs to first target the adults and then the hatched eggs. This routine sounds really excessive - nursery age DC got them and I just gave everyone the double dose and washed the sheets.

I think possibly this more of a mental thing but. I really struggled with worms or the notion of them after infection. Around 10% of the population have threadworms at any time. Most don’t know.

Ovex will kill them off, take another dose in a couple of weeks and that will break the cycle. You can clean but really Ovex is the thing. Mentally I think cleaning your diet can really help, worms like sugar. Eat things like peppered steak, lots of roughage like grated carrot and apple salad.

They hate garlic so eat lots of that. A traditional cure would be a clove of garlic up your bum as then they won’t come out to lay. I think though maybe you just need to be busier so you stop obsessing.