Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are fairly common. In fact, up to one in five children can have threadworms at any time. They are not a reflection of your hygiene standards!
Fortunately they don’t cause any harm and they're easily treated.
Threadworms are small white worms that look like short pieces of white cotton, about 5-10mm long.
The female lays her eggs on the skin surrounding the anus at night. The glue used to stick these eggs to the skin is what causes your child to itch.
The tiny eggs can live for about two weeks outside the human body and they can seem to get everywhere – on underwear, pyjamas, bed clothes, furniture, soft toys, door handles, etc. They can even be breathed in from the air.
Infections tend to occur more commonly in young children because they play and come into contact with each other more often.
When your child touches an infected surface and then puts his fingers in his mouth, he swallows the eggs which then pass into his digestive tract and hatch into baby worms.
These grow into adult worms as they move down the intestines. This takes about two to four weeks before they eventually come out of your child’s rectum.
Threadworms only live in humans and are not found in any other animals.
symptoms of threadworms
Your child may not experience any symptoms.
However, worms usually cause an itchy bottom, which is often worst at night.
Your child may become irritable, tired and grumpy from restless sleep. Some children may wet the bed or even grind their teeth. Threadworms can sometimes also cause vulva itching in girls.
Scratching the itchy area may damage the skin and cause infection, so it’s important to see a doctor for treatment.
Very rarely does threadworm cause severe problems.
If you suspect your child has threadworm, wait for about an hour or two after your child has gone to sleep and then use a torch to check for any adult worms around the anus. This is the time the females come out to lay their eggs. You won't see the eggs as they are too small to without a microscope.
treatment of threadworms
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or your child is under two years old, always talk to your doctor first before giving any medication.
If you are certain your child has threadworm, pharmacy medication is available from the chemist.
You should treat everyone in the house at the same time because the eggs are easily spread around and not everyone shows symptoms.
Depending on the product you use, you may need to re-treat two weeks later as eggs remain alive for up to two weeks and can re-infect the family in that time. A second treatment will kill any worms that have hatched from these eggs and help break the cycle.
On the same day you dose the family, wash all bed sheets and pyjamas on a hot cycle to kill the eggs. Vacuum bedrooms and bathrooms and clean bathroom surfaces to get rid of any eggs that might still be lying around.
prevention of threadworms
Some children seem more susceptible to threadworm re-infections than others. Here are some ideas to help break the cycle:
- Teach to always wash hands after using the toilet and before eating.
- Wash the whole family’s towels, bed linen and nightwear after treatment.
- Cut fingernails short and discourage nail biting and finger sucking.
- Wash daily and thoroughly around your child’s bottom.
- Provide a different towel for each family member to use.
- Clean the toilet seat, toilet handle and door handle to the toilet regularly.
- Vacuum or mop bedroom floors everyday for a few days after treatment to remove any remaining worm eggs.
Dr Catherine Cearns, General Practitioner
