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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

SO embarrassed. Threadworms and pregnant :(

53 replies

Emmastone123 · 21/08/2017 13:52

Im so, so embarrassed, even writing this.

I'm a teacher on school holidays. About three weeks ago I realised I had threadworms - saw one. Sorry tmi. Obviously got them from school as I teach little ones. I pride myself on being super hygienic etc so am pretty annoyed! Don't know what to do to avoid them?!

Anyway - I'm 12.5 weeks preggers and they haven't gone away despite me cleaning EVERYTHING. Clean pyjamas, tight undies, everything I've read up on.

The bad thing is - I've had cystitis symptoms (no infection despite three cultures) for a couple of weeks (and thrush) which I now think could be caused by the blighters??

I'm at the end of my tether. Feel utterly disgusting and hopeless. Would take ovex but apparently you can't?!

Do I go to my GP? I'm SO embarrassed.

PLEASE help me!!!

XxX

OP posts:
JohnLapsleyParlabane · 21/08/2017 13:53

You must go to your GP, or at least your pharmacist. Honestly, they've heard it all before.

TheLionQueen1 · 21/08/2017 13:56

Just go to the Pharmacy , nothing to be embarrassed about! I've had them before (only once and think it was because I bite my nails and had been away camping 😬), picked something up from pharmacist and went super quick. There's a follow up tablet as well, or was when I took it so shouldn't come back!

Afreshstartplease · 21/08/2017 13:56

Yes go to your gp!

booellesmum · 21/08/2017 13:58

If you can't use Ovex I would see your gp.
There may be something else you can use on prescription?
I wouldn't leave it though as you have a long way to go before little one is here and the itching will have driven you mad by then.
Congratulations by the way!

WaitingTillJuly17 · 21/08/2017 14:35

A pharmacist won't (or rather shouldn't if they're doing their job properly) sell you anything for threadworms and you'll likely need antibiotics for the cystitis as it can be dangerous to your baby so just make an appointment with your GP. Don't worry they've seen it all before!

rabaria · 21/08/2017 14:40

Same happened to me and no one would give me anything ( I'm in a country that is very strict about prescribing things).

I did all the cleaning etc you're supposed to do, and also changed my diet a bit - can't remember how though! Also used Vaseline and showered my bits every morning religiously. They did go - took a couple of weeks. No idea if it was because of athg I did or that the cycle just ended naturally.

SandunesAndRainclouds · 21/08/2017 14:43

Go to GP, definitely.

A doctor I worked with told me that most causes of vulval pain (i.e. symptoms like UTI) in school aged females are actually worms, especially if the pain is worse at night. So I suppose you could've had the worms then but also could have been cystitis.

Emmastone123 · 21/08/2017 14:51

Thanks everyone. I'm on holiday but thankfully back tomorrow. Poor DH spend 3 grand and I've been miserable for two weeks. I can't bring myself to tell him I have worms so I've just been a moody wreck.
I'll go straight to GP.
I was on antibiotics just in case but three cultures came back clear so now I'm thinking it's because of the threadworms.

Ugh - hate this!!!

OP posts:
TheLionQueen1 · 21/08/2017 15:11

A pharmacist can and will give you something for threadworm OP , it's on the NHS website and have done it myself. They will also be able to advise if safe in pregnancy.

Sorry to hear it's ruining the holiday, I know how horribly itchy it isFlowers

SO embarrassed. Threadworms and pregnant :(
TheLionQueen1 · 21/08/2017 15:13

Sorry meant to say they will tell you to see a doctor if needed! Guess it depends how long it takes to get a dr app when you get back, if yours is quite quick then no problem but if not I'd be at the pharmacy as it's so irritating!

Emmastone123 · 21/08/2017 15:30

Thank you - gosh I really hope there is something I can take!! XX

OP posts:
Emmastone123 · 21/08/2017 16:35

Booked a phone consultation with the GP. Atleast I can hide my red face Blush

Thanks again all x

OP posts:
Fruitcorner123 · 21/08/2017 21:50

Just to backup what everyone else has said the GP will have seen it all before and far far more embarrassing things! Try not to worry good luck tomorrow.

princesssparkle9985 · 21/08/2017 22:40

Oh I feel your pain! I got threadworms a few weeks ago on holidays somehow and was so mortified! My partner was totally freaked out when I told him, he has never had them while I at least had them in childhood so knew they were treatable. Anyway, I was 7 months pregnant. Consultant told me to take vermox (I am in Ireland) but she told my partner to go to the pharmacy for it because they won't give it to me. The guidelines say not to take it but she said it's not a problem. Cleared up in 2 days and I felt like a different person. You will be fine.

Emmastone123 · 23/08/2017 13:54

Omg help! My GP won't give me anything... Sad

What do I do?!? Call midwife??

Help!

Xxx

OP posts:
TheLionQueen1 · 23/08/2017 17:02

What did they say OP?! I guess you could call your MW but can they prescribe?

dementedpixie · 23/08/2017 17:07

Even if you can't take anything then others in your family should i.e dh, any children, etc

dementedpixie · 23/08/2017 17:08

Think all you can do is use hygiene methods plus anyone else in the house should take ovex

dementedpixie · 23/08/2017 17:13

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Threadworms/Pages/Treatment.aspx. 6 week life cycle

GaryNumanIsOlderThanGaryOldman · 23/08/2017 17:20

Scrupulous hygiene - scrubbing under nails. Pants on. Vaseline to relieve itching and help make it harder for female to lay at night.
Diet - cut out all sugar short term. Have lots of garlic. Carrot juice. Carrot and coriander/ginger soup. Pumpkin seeds.
Towel each. Changing sheets daily rather than weekly. One on/one off at 60 hot wash. Not wafting laundry. Sheet/towel/pants/PJ bottoms directly into hot wash each morning. Shower buttocks each morning.
Wet wipe taps/door handles. Don't try wet wiping everything else or having a dusting meltdown, you'll just move/inhale viable eggs.
you must inform your husband
Sorry. Highly likely he is already infected. Then you will both just keep getting reinfected. He might also be asymptomatic but still have them.
He can take Ovex, 1_tab then another two weeks later but a third one after that won't do any harm. Same hygiene regime as you.
Don't bite nails/suck fingers/pick nose. Wink You can break the life cycle with the above hygiene methods but it may take a few weeks. You won't break the cycle if DH doesn't know. Shamrock

GaryNumanIsOlderThanGaryOldman · 23/08/2017 17:31

^ It's not just pregnant women by the way: under twos should also not have mebendazol so they also have to do the above. Mebendazol stops the worm absorbing sugar: starves the fuckers basically.

www.drugs.com/pregnancy/mebendazole.html
^ only used in pregnancy when benefits outweigh risks.

Emmastone123 · 23/08/2017 18:21

She said there is nothing safe to take. I then spoke to GP at my hospital where I am reg to give birth. He said they have a lifecycle of 6 weeks so if in two week after continued strict hygiene, if they still haven't gone, then he will be able to prescribe something. However, there's not a lot of research into wether or not it's safe but limited studies don't show anything worrying.
My nails are short and haven't put my fingers anywhere near my mouth since I found them 3.5 weeks ago! Changing linen. Don't know what's going on. Will get some ovex and give to my husband tomorrow.
It's just awful because I think they've caused my thrush and cystitis symptoms - although doctor couldn't confirm that would be the case.
Feeling so depressed and down. Obviously would much rather deal with it and keep the baby safe but I feel like a freak of nature :(:(:(

Thanks for all your help. You're the only people I can talk to!

OP posts:
Emmastone123 · 23/08/2017 18:27

Do you think I'll need to change bedding everyday if I'm wearing tight underwear and trousers?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 23/08/2017 19:27

Nhs doesn't say change every day but to wash when first treated.

The lifespan of threadworms is approximately six weeks, so it's important that hygiene measures are followed for at least this length of time. Everyone in the household must follow the advice outlined below.

wash all night clothes, bed linen, towels and soft toys when you'refirst diagnosed– this can be done at normal temperatures, but make sure the washing is well rinsed

thoroughly vacuum and dust the whole house, paying particular attention to the bedrooms– this should be repeated regularly

carefully clean the bathroom and kitchen by damp-dusting surfaces and washing the cloth frequently in hot water– this should be repeated regularly

avoid shaking any material that may be contaminated with eggs, such as clothing or bed sheets– this will prevent eggs being transferred to other surfaces

don't eat food in the bedroom– you may end up swallowing eggs that have been shaken off the bedclothes

keep your fingernails short–encourage other members of your household to do the same

discourage nail-biting and sucking fingers–in particular, make sure children don't suck their thumb

wash your hands frequently and scrub under your fingernails–it's particularly important to do this before eating, after going to the toilet, and before and after changing your baby's nappy

wear close-fitting underwear at night and change your underwear every morning

bathe or shower regularly– it's particularly important to bathe or shower first thing in the morning: make sure you clean around your anus and vagina to remove any eggs

ensure everyone in your household has their own face flannel and towel– don't share towels

keep toothbrushes in a closed cupboard and rinse them thoroughly before use

dementedpixie · 23/08/2017 19:30

Don't feel bad as I've had to worm our family as dd was complaining of an itchy bum keeping her awake at night. Not sure dh was impressed at getting wormed but he took his tablet!