Threadworms

What are threadworms?

Threadworms are tiny white worms that live in your gut (stomach area). They're also called pinworms. They look like small pieces of white thread and are very common, especially in children.

The good news is that threadworms are not dangerous and you can treat them easily without seeing your GP.

How do I know if someone has threadworms?

The main signs are:

What you can see:

• Small white thread-like worms in your poo
• Worms around your child's bottom area
• The worms usually come out at night when your child is sleeping

What you might feel:

• Very itchy bottom or private parts, especially at night
• Being grumpy or waking up during the night
• Sometimes losing weight
• Wetting the bed (less common)
• Red, sore skin around the bottom

How do threadworms spread?

Threadworms spread through their eggs, which are too small to see. Here's how it happens:

1. The worms lay eggs around your bottom, making it itchy
2. When you scratch, the eggs get under your fingernails
3. The eggs stick to things you touch - clothes, toys, food, surfaces
4. Other people get the eggs on their hands and then put their hands in their mouth
5. The eggs grow into worms in about 1-2 months

The eggs can live for up to 2 weeks on surfaces, which is why threadworms spread so easily in families.

Getting treatment

From the pharmacy: You can buy medicine called mebendazole from any pharmacy. It comes as a tablet you chew or liquid you drink.

Important: Treat everyone in your house over 2 years old, even if they don't have any signs of worms.

If you need to treat a child under 2, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your pharmacist first. You might need to speak to your GP instead.

What to do at home

The medicine kills the worms but not their eggs. You need to stop the eggs spreading for 2 weeks (or 6 weeks if you're not taking medicine):

Do:

• Wash hands well, especially under nails, before eating and after using the toilet
• Have a shower every morning
• Rinse toothbrushes before using them
• Keep fingernails short
• Wash pyjamas, bed sheets, towels and soft toys in hot water every day
• Clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces with hot water
• Vacuum and dust with a damp cloth
• Wear underwear at night and change it in the morning

Don't:

• Shake clothing or bedding (this spreads eggs)
• Share towels
• Bite nails or suck fingers

School and work

Your child can still go to school or nursery with threadworms. You can still go to work too.

When to get help

Speak to your pharmacist if you think you or your child might have threadworms. They can advise on the best treatment.

If you're concerned about any symptoms or the treatment isn't working after following the pharmacist's advice, speak to your GP.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.