Why is my bum itching? TMI, sorry

[33goingon64]

I get an itchy bum on and off in the evening. I understand about the symptoms of worms and I've not seen anything in my stools, nor have either of my young DC (one in nappies) had any symptoms, so have assumed it can't be worms. Also it's on and off - one night, then nothing for a while, then a few nights then nothing again. I assume worms would plague you until you treated them. I do have a recurring pile which can be itchy but weird it's in the evening only. Any ideas?

Joining in with interest as I have a similar thing and to embarrassed to see anyone.

Mine tends to itch where my tear scar is after having dd1 so around my perennial (sp?) But my butt hole will also itch and drives me mad. I also get a bit sore and have to use those tissue wipes instead of dry paper.

I also thought worms but it's on and off and seems to only get better when I have my period. This also only started after having dd1.... any answers welcome

Seems we are the only ones! I seriously thought it could be worms but considering I see my DCs' poos up close regularly I would be surprised if I had it and they didn't IYSWIM?

Threadworms aren't often visible in poo. Treat anyway!

Worms itch at night. They come out of your intestine at night so check poo before bed. Xx

Same here! Wondered if it was piles, too embarrassed to see a GP

Worms aren't usually visible in poo. Get some worm medicine!

Piles? Or it could be a fungal infection like u get under boobs. Put some thrush cream on it for a few days n see if that clears it.

My guess is either piles or worms. I'd treat for both.

If you have a slight split in the skin, even a scratch, it can itch when healing. It wouldn't hurt to treat the family for worms though.

Piles I have them it fucking drives me mad

Is it an allergy rash? Do you have any food allergies, even mild ones? I sometimes get this after certain fruits that I know i probably shouldn't eat as touching the juice 'burns' my fingers. DS was the same when weaning - rash around his face on eating, then around butt when pooped out a day or so later..

I've had worms 4-5 times since having kids, my DD has had them once, ds not at all so don't assume if you have them your kids will have them!
Sure fire (although kind of gross!!) way of checking - next time your feel itchy at night crouch over a mirror! I've always found out this way. I actually keep ovex in our medicine cabinet all the time now! Gets rid in a day.

Bit mystified as to why I've had them so often actually, I'm obsessive (particularly these days with kids!!) about hand washing but somehow the little fuckers find a way!!

It’s probably worms. They get active in the evening. They thrive on sugar, so you may find that more itchy times are when you’ve eaten a sugary snack and it’s made it’s way down to your intestine.

I used to get this...had it for several years until I bought some eumovate cream (can buy over the counter) which cleared it up, I assume it was some kind of skin issue. Haven't had it since.

The way I think of it, if worms even crosses your mind then treat anyway. No ifs or buts.

If it continues then look at other things but usually it doesn't.

Since the itchiness only seems to occur in the evening, it does sound like threadworms I'm afraid, OP. They're not always visible in stools because they generally live fairly high up in the bowel, so are able to avoid ejection. However, they migrate down do the back passage at night time (or when they think it's night time, when you're sitting down relaxing) to lay their eggs around the anus. So if you or the DC have a bowel movement at night, that's when you're most likely to see worms in your stools.

For your little ones, if you want to be sure, check their bottoms at night with a torch. You can often see tiny thread-like white worms wriggling around the bottom.

But I think I'd just treat the family for threadworms in this case. Talk to your pharmacist to find a suitable medication (some aren't suitable for very young kids or pregnant/breastfeeding women). Don't be embarrassed, they deal with this all the time!

The worm eggs are tiny (microscopic) so you also have to damp dust very thoroughly so you don't re-infect yourself...

Wow thanks for all the replies. What is damp dusting?

Dusting with a damp cloth! Also you need to treat twice to break the life cycle.

Sounds like worms OP but even if not, won't hurt to treat to rule out.
What's with the posters saying 'me too but too embarrassed to see GP'?
Madness.

Damp dusting is wiping down hard surfaces with a damp cloth so dust (& worm eggs) stick to it, rather than just being distributed around the house. You need to rinse the cloth out in hot water regularly. Try to dust all areas that get touched regularly: door handles, toilet flush buttons, light switches (make sure the cloth is only slightly damp here), banisters etc, and also any electronic toys. Wash and dry the DC's teddies and soft toys. Hard, tiny toys like lego and small world items can be put in a knotted pillowcase and then on a gentle cycle in the washing machine. Wash everyone's sheets. It is very labour-intensive!

You should find that the problem resolves after two doses of worm medication and the above cleaning measures. If it doesn't, it may not be worms so the next step is to see your GP. They look at bottoms many times daily so they've seen it all before.

Oh I see, had thought it was a euphemism for wiping your arse! So have taken Ovex (single pill) today. How long does it take to work? Do I take another one tomorrow? I think it's getting worse, driving my crazy trying not to scratch.

You want to take another ovex tomorrow yes. And then do the same again (one pill two days running) in about 10 days’ time.

I didn’t do the damp dusting thing but did wash all our underwear sheets and towels at 60 for a few weeks. And cut everyone’s nails short. And put the fear of god into the DC about touching their bums.

Your children won't necessarily get them even if you do have worms. I picked them up, I assume from work during a KIT day last year and no one else at home had them. I treated everyone for them though. I keep the treatment in the house at all times now.

You don't need another one. It takes a few days for the worms to starve to death. Just take the next one in a couple of weeks to catch the hatchlings.

Take a pack of wipes to bed and a bag. When you itch, give yourself a good wipe and put it in the bag. It's the glue the worms use that causes the itching.

Treat for worms and if you still itch, stuff some savlon up there. I swear by it for anything.