Threadworm

Threadworm Experience

I unfortunately remember having these when I was young, about 8 or 9 years old.

The memories of the intense itchy bottom stays with me after all these years. I would wake up on a night, as that is when they are most active, with the most annoying tingly and itchy bottom. It drove me insane! There's no getting away from it, I just had to itch it.

I can gracefully now say I learnt my lesson and always wash my hands now.

I remember my mum cutting my nails, because keeping them short prevented me making my bottom area sore - also preventing any skin infections. Keeping your nails trimmed short also prevents the chances of contracting threadworm, as this is where they are most likely to harbour until they are passed to the mouth.

What are Threadworms?

• Threadworms are a small parasite,they live in your bowels and feed off the glucose in your faeces.

• They are picked up by coming into contact with their eggs, and then ingesting them.

• They look like tiny pieces of thread (cotton) about 3-5 mm in length.

• You cannot see their eggs.

Hygiene

• Personal hygiene is essential,encourage your children to wash their hand regularly,after each visit to the bathroom and always before eating. Before and after changing babies nappies is also recommended.

• Wash all night clothes, bed linen, towels and soft toys when you are first diagnosed. This can be done at normal temperatures, but make sure that the washing is well rinsed.

• Vacuum and dust the whole house, paying particular attention to the bedrooms. Continue to vacuum regularly and thoroughly.

• Clean the bathroom and kitchen by damp-dusting surfaces and washing the cloth frequently in hot water. Continue to clean bathroom and kitchen surfaces regularly and thoroughly.

• Don't eat food in the bedroom, because you may end up swallowing eggs that have been shaken onto 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 that children don't suck their thumb.

• Wear close-fitting underwear at night and change your underwear every morning.

• Bath or shower regularly, particularly first thing in the morning. Make sure that you clean around your anus and vagina to remove any eggs.

• Ensure that 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.

Treatment

• There are a few different brands of treatment. They are normally in tablet form, but are available in liquid too for younger children, and are available from your local pharmacist. No prescription is needed, except for under 2s and for breast feeding or pregnant women.

• If you suspect threadworm or have had it confirmed, all members of the household must be treated, even if they don't have symptoms.

• 1 dose of medicine is administered at first, then two weeks later a second dose is given (or this was the case with me)

The life span of the threadworm is six weeks, so it is important that you follow the instructions given and any second doses are administered, as this will kill the remaining eggs and prevent re infestation.

--Kerryflump (talk) 15:56, 5 May 2013 (UTC)