Threadworm?...

[Pheebe]

I think DS1 has threadworms, he keeps saying his bottom is itchy and on occassion is dancing round the room is sheer discomfort. Can't see anything there though and haven't seen anything in his pull-ups in the morning.

We have an ongoing issue with nursery who seem to think its ok to let 3yos go to the loo on their own, consequently they don't wipe their bottoms properly and almost everyday DS comes hope with a dirty, sore bottom which might be the cause of the itching.

Am I being unreasonable to expect nursery to assist a 3yo with wiping his bum after having a poo, I would have thought it was a basic hygiene issue but maybe I'm wrong...

With threadworms its actually more the handwashing that is the issue rather than the bum wiping (we've had them masses of times in our family)

Nurserys don't as a rule wipe childrens bottoms if the child can manage themselves. Often the child takes themself off to the loo, and the staff don't know if for a wee or a poo.

But what they CAN do is stress good handwashing. I would tell the nursery your son has worms and ask them to step up the handwashing with everyone. the eggs can live in sand pits and play dough too.

Thanks maidamess, funnily enough he's great (almost obsessive) about handwashing thanks to the little princess book about germs and nasties

He's doesn't seem able to wipe his bum properly here or at nursery, just doesn't seem to be able to reach properly. I'll certainly mention to them about the handwashing and perhaps ask them if they can work on him wiping his bottom himself as we're trying to encourage him to do at home too

Good luck with that! (My 4 year old won't cant do it himself yet so i am impressed!

Oh, and have you given him some OVEX just to be on the safe side? Its our worm medicine of choice!

My ds had them recently - didn't see anything in his pants as they crawl back in. I agree with maidemess - give him some medicine to be safe.

I agree with maidamess give him ovex just in case. Have you tried looking when he seems uncomfortable or itchy? I check as soon as DD complains and have found the reason popping out to say hello (sorry tmi!)

Popping out to say hello!!! yikes!!!

yes we have checked when he's been dancing about like a loon and haven't seen anything so far. Can you get oves otc or will we need to see the doc?

Apparntly they come out at night so your little one will have crusty pants because of the scratching (sorry if this is too much info). Not cleaning the bum can also make it sore and itchy.

You can get it at th e pharmacy, but you do need to dose every member of your family aswell and make sure you repeat again 2 weeks later.

don't forget to wash all the sheets and towels.

And pyjamas or nighties with pants at night!

Thanks everyone list made, washing machine at the ready and trip to the pharmacy planned

re bum wiping i never really expected ds to be able to do it properly yet but nursery seemed to think he should so...glad to know he's not developmentally challenged in that department though

they normally come out in evening/night time to lay their eggs. they are tiny thread like white worms. my nearly 4 yo has recently had them. she can't wipe her bottom herself properly, i normally do it still with a wet wipe.
its suggested you treat the whole family. i damp dusted the bathroom and toilet. washed all towels and bedding. shampooed the sofas and hoovered the whole house (might have been a bit OTT!) the eggs can live up to 6 weeks.

DS has got it. He was like OP says, dancing about with pain and discomfort, so I looked and actually saw them - tiny, tiny white threads, less than 1cm long. We went for Pripsen, on Wed night, now on Saturday, the dancing started again, and I think I spotted another

NHS direct says Pripsen paralyses them -yeuch. But how long does it take to work? and surely you couldn't be reinfected that quickly? It says you are supposed to re-dose in 2 weeks.