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Original poster

Threadworms: Can anyone who has been through this please help?

65 replies

Iminhell · 09/09/2017 22:13

I'm washing towels after every use. I've had 2 showers and a bath today. I'm not keeping on top of washing as I'm producing so much.

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dementedpixie · 09/09/2017 22:22

Have you all taken ovex? We didn't really go mad with washing everything tbh

dementedpixie · 09/09/2017 22:23

Why 2 showers and a bath?

GotToGetMyFingerOut · 09/09/2017 22:26

Eh? Just all take the ovex. Wash bedding and towels. Damp cloth to wipe surfaces and handles etc and Hoover. After that all you need to do is wear pants at night time for next week or so then take another dose of ovex when the guidelines say. Can't remember if it was a week or two.

dementedpixie · 09/09/2017 22:28

it's 2 weeks

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 09/09/2017 22:29

As other said I took the drugs and it sorted it. No problem.

OnlyHereForTheFeminists · 09/09/2017 22:30

Don't be too upset about it. I know they sound disgusting but it's really common for children to catch worms. If everyone has taken the tablets and you wash all your underwear and towels in a hot wash you'll be fine.

Girliefriendlikesflowers · 09/09/2017 22:30

I have been there, what worked in the end was vaseline round the bum and eating loads of pumpkin seeds and pineapple!!

Original poster
Iminhell · 10/09/2017 07:25

Sorry my initial message didn't actually post and I was too tired to re type last night. This is it: Don't read on if you're squeamish.

Last week (Monday I think), a little while after I got into bed I felt like something was crawling out of my bum. I jumped up and went to the bathroom, but when I wiped I couldn't see anything. I had recently been made aware of threadworms so thought it could be that. I put pants on and tried to sleep but was horrified. I called my GP and spoke with a pharmacist the next morning and told them what happened. I had passed stools that morning and couldn't see anything so she wouldn't prescribe medication and made me think I was imagining it. She said it would be very obvious if you had them. Anyway two days later I think, I felt another crawling sensation and wiped and I saw one on the tissue. I wiped from the front. So got prescribed medication the following day which myself, dh and ds (3) have taken. Baby is too young for medication and no one else is showing symptoms. I haven't plucked up the courage to check their bottoms at night.

Anyway after reading many threads and info online I am cleaning like mad - Washing hands all the time, showering night and day and after bowel movements if I can, cleaning toilet after each use, towels after each use, have hovered whole house, steamed sofa, surfaces etc. I'm not keeping on top of washing despite doing 2-3 loads a day. And advice is to do this for 6 weeks.

I've read threads about people having them for years, having them in all eyes, ears and throat. My mind is going into overdrive, I'm miserable.

I want to know how will I know if they are gone? I haven't seen one on toilet paper or in stools since that first time. I don't think I can feel crawling again. I do feel slightly itchy but I think it's my own head. Nothing like the sensation on that first evening. I'm not experiencing any stomach pains, or really noticeable itching down their so I'm hoping it's a mild case.

How do people know they continue to have them? I've never seen them in my stools so why are not coming out dead in my stools if medication has worked. Has it not worked?

Also if other family members have shown no symptoms do they also need to be washing day and night and changing towels after each use? We have two bathrooms so I'm going to start using the ensuite and they can all use the family bathroom.

I have no idea how I'm going to have sex again, or have a bikini wax. What if I think they are gone and they aren't?! I would really like to hear from anyone who has been through this and come out the other side.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iminhell · 10/09/2017 07:29

We took Membozole or something similar.. I probably have slight OCD leanings hence the two showers and a bath. I read that Epsom salt baths can help rid them. So been bathing at night. Also eating pineapple for breakfast and grated carrot salad for lunch and dinner and had brown rice last night two as heard that can help. Also trying to limit sugar and carbs. I'm basically trying to do everything I can. I just wish you could know catergorically that you were rid of them.

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Believeitornot · 10/09/2017 07:32

Why is a bikini wax an issue? They don't like light.

My dd had them. We used Vaseline around the outside every night so that the little shits' saliva couldn't sting and washed her every morning. Did this for two weeks and tumble dried washing as normal. Kept nails short.

You need to think rationally about this.

Original poster
Iminhell · 10/09/2017 07:33

@girliefriendlikesflowers

I've heard that if you block them with Vaseline then they will go back up and lay eggs in the intentine. But also heard online that Vaseline trick is good. It's so confusing 😑

OP posts:
Believeitornot · 10/09/2017 07:34

Also you have a 3 year old? Unless you work in a school you're likely to have got it from him if he's mixing with other kids.

Believeitornot · 10/09/2017 07:34

Vaseline doesn't block them - we used it on the skin outside. They come out to lay eggs. They lay eggs on the Vaseline, you wipe them away in the morning.

SandyDenny · 10/09/2017 07:37

You're obviously not in the UK as you can buy treatments over the counter here and a case of threadworms is no more of a worry than a case of nits.

As others have said, take the tablets, keep your nails short, wash your hands etc.

It sounds like whatever you've read has made you over react to something that is an everyday minor issue, are you generally an anxious person?

Have you read other threads on here? Any that I see have practical advice, I've not seen the horror stories you describe

holelottachange · 10/09/2017 07:37

They do sound disgusting and I was horrified when we had them. Cut nails short, hot wash underwear and towels after each use, disinfect kitchen and bathroom regularly and all door handles, Hoover thoroughly and regularly, bath / shower every morning . Take one does of ovex ( I even gave it to my 12 month old) repeat these steps for 2 weeks then take another does of ovex also the Vaseline works well. They are horrible but you can be rid of them. Strict hygiene is key.

holelottachange · 10/09/2017 07:39

Oh and don't google it! It will just make you feel worse. It's mostly lies!

MummyPrincess2 · 10/09/2017 07:40

Been through this last month with my DD.

Went to doctors got some medication a metrosomething - she took the tablet; I washed all the bedding, towels, clothes etc on hot wash. She took the 2nd tablet a week later ... all good :-) they haven't returned!
They only come out the bum at night apparently .... my doctors told me my DD didn't have them - I noticed 2 on her the same night when I checked her bum - doctors were apologising for not listening to me!
I know it's gross - I felt gross and I didn't even have them DD did, but just hot wash the bedding etc, keep nails short, wash hands and take the tablets then it's done :-)

andbabymakesthree · 10/09/2017 07:40

OP you need to calm down or you will make yourself ill! It's just threadworms.

We've had several infestations some in hindsight have been quite protracted because I didn't recognise the symptoms early on. Treating for thrush yet actually threadworms. I was blighted by them through my childhood and too scared to tell mum. Don't pass that fear onto your kids. We joke about bum worms here.

Yes everyone should be a adopting the hygiene method even if they aren't symptomatic of threadworms.

I removed all soft toys from kids beds too for a couple of weeks.

Threadworms are so common don't be ashamed. Schools should send home notes like they do for nits but no one ever notifies them so they never do . Also experienced real ignorance around threadworms from reception teachers and heads. Considering the 40% of school children have them at any one time this is shocking. No water fountain drinking for my kids.

Gunpowder · 10/09/2017 07:42

I think there's a lot of scaremongering on the internet about threadworms. Just have the ovex, change everyone's bedclothes and towels after each dose (wouldn't do this every day. You'll go mad!) Keep toothbrushes in a cupboard and be on top of hand washing. I don't think you need to steam clean the whole house etc.

The thing that made me feel better about them is that having threadworms is thought to boost your immune system.

article

PebblesFlintstone · 10/09/2017 07:46

The tablet should work in 1-2 days. All the worms will be dead by then. You all need the follow-up dose in 12-14 days to kill any hatchlings. I wash the bedding once and that's always been fine. I've never heard of anyone washing it daily for 6 weeks! Good hand hygiene after going to the toilet is the most important thing.

DD1 used to get threadworms a couple of times a year. Now I give her a dose of ovex (bought OTC) every 3-4 months and she hasn't had them since I started doing that.

WipsGlitter · 10/09/2017 08:15

Do you have health anxiety?

DS2 gets them from school all the time. We just dose everyone with the ovex.

Stop googling.

Original poster
Iminhell · 10/09/2017 08:25

Because I've got visions of beautician being down there telling me their is a worm poking out Blush I can't think rationally about this. I feel like I'm having a meltdown. This thread is helping a bit.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iminhell · 10/09/2017 08:25

Well he's been at home as it's school holidays..

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Original poster
Iminhell · 10/09/2017 08:30

Arghh not sure how to reply directly to a poster. @Wipsglitter I probably am quite anxious about my health. I worry about dying, brain tumours etc. But doesn't that cross everyone's mind? I'm in the UK.

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