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Enterobiasis



NHS Choices Syndication

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Enterobiasis

Causes of threadworms

A threadworm infection is passed from person to person as a result of swallowing threadworm eggs.

A female threadworm can lay thousands of tiny eggs around the anus or vagina. While laying eggs, the female threadworm also releases a mucus that causes itching.

Scratching the anus or vagina, or wiping them after going to the toilet, can result in the eggs becoming stuck on your fingertips or under your fingernails.

If you don’t wash your hands, the eggs can then be transferred to your mouth or onto food or objects – such as toys and kitchen utensils. If someone else eats the contaminated food or touches the contaminated object and then touches their mouth, they will become infected.

After the eggs have been swallowed they will pass into a person’s intestine, where they will hatch. After about two weeks the threadworms will have grown into adults, at which point they will reproduce and the cycle of infection will start again.

Transferring eggs

Threadworm eggs can be transferred from your anus (or vagina) to anything that you touch, including:

  • bed sheets and bed clothes
  • flannels and towels
  • children’s toys
  • kitchen utensils
  • toothbrushes
  • furniture
  • kitchen or bathroom surfaces

Threadworm eggs can survive on surfaces for up to three weeks.

They can be swallowed after touching contaminated surfaces and they can also be breathed in and then swallowed. This can happen if the eggs become airborne, if, for example, you shake a contaminated towel or bed sheet.

Animals and pets

Threadworms only infect humans and and are not spread in animal faeces. However, there’s a small risk that threadworms can be caught from household pets if the animal’s fur becomes contaminated with eggs during petting or stroking from an infected person. The eggs could then be passed to another human if they touch the animal’s fur.

Who is at risk?

Threadworm infections are most common in young children because they often forget to wash their hands regularly and they often share things like toys with other children.

People who are in close contact with someone who has a threadworm infection, for instance living in the same house, are also at a high risk of infection. This is why all members of a household where someone has a threadworm infection need to be treated.

Read more about treating threadworms.

Published Date
2014-09-12 09:10:23Z
Last Review Date
2013-08-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2015-08-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Threadworm infections


NHS Choices Syndication

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Enterobiasis

Introduction

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are tiny parasitic worms that hatch eggs in and infect the large intestine of humans.

Threadworms are the most common type of worm infection in the UK, and they are particularly common in young children under the age of 10.  

Threadworms are white and look like small pieces of thread. You may notice them around your child’s bottom or in your or your child’s stools.

They don’t always cause symptoms, but people often notice itchiness around their bottom or vagina. This can be worse at night and can sometimes disturb sleep.

Read more about the symptoms of threadworms.

When to see your GP

If you think you or your child may have threadworms, you can usually treat the infection yourself with medication available at pharmacies without prescription.

You only usually need to see your GP if you think you have threadworms and you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you think your child has threadworms and they are under two years old. This is because the treatment recommended in these circumstances is usually different to what is recommended for most people.

How are threadworms spread?

Threadworms lay their eggs around an infected person’s anus (bottom), usually at night. Along with the eggs, the worm also secretes a mucus that causes itching.

If the eggs get stuck on the person’s fingertips when they scratch, they can be transferred to their mouth or onto surfaces and clothes. Other people who touch an infected surface can then transfer the eggs to their mouth.

Threadworm eggs can survive for up to three weeks before hatching. If the eggs hatch around the anus, the newly born worms can re-enter the bowel. Eggs that have been swallowed will hatch inside the intestine. After two weeks, the worms reach adult size and begin to reproduce, starting the cycle again.

Read more about what causes threadworms.

Treating threadworms

If you or your child has threadworms, everyone in your household will need to be treated because the risk of the infection spreading is high. This includes people without any symptoms of a threadworm infection.

For most people, treatment will involve a single dose of a medication called mebendazole to kill the worms. Another dose can be taken after two weeks, if necessary.

During treatment and for a few weeks afterwards, it is also important to follow strict hygiene measures to avoid spreading the threadworm eggs.

This involves things such as regularly vacuuming your house and thoroughly washing your bathroom and kitchen.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, hygiene measures are usually recommended without medication. This is also often the case for young children. 

Read more about treating threadworm infections.

Preventing threadworms

It is not always possible to prevent a threadworm infection, but you can significantly reduce your risk by always maintaining good hygiene and encouraging children to do the same.

Children should wash their hands regularly, particularly after going to the toilet and before mealtimes. Kitchen and bathroom surfaces should be kept clean.  

If your child is infected, encouraging them not to scratch the affected area around their anus or vagina will help prevent re-infection and reduce the risk of the infection spreading to other people.

Published Date
2014-02-13 17:18:04Z
Last Review Date
2013-08-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2015-08-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Threadworm infections

Threadworms – NHS Choices

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Threadworms 

Introduction 

Washing hands can help prevent a threadworm infection 

Should work or school be avoided?

A threadworm infection should be treated as soon as it’s identified, but it is not necessary to stay off work or school.

However, it’s important to inform your child’s school or nursery so they can follow good hygiene practices to limit the spread of infection – such as cleaning toys and equipment, and encouraging children to wash their hands regularly.

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are tiny parasitic worms that hatch eggs in and infect the large intestine of humans.

Threadworms are the most common type of worm infection in the UK, and they are particularly common in young children under the age of 10.  

Threadworms are white and look like small pieces of thread. You may notice them around your child’s bottom or in your or your child’s stools.

They don’t always cause symptoms, but people often notice itchiness around their bottom or vagina. This can be worse at night and can sometimes disturb sleep.

Read more about the symptoms of threadworms.

When to see your GP

If you think you or your child may have threadworms, you can usually treat the infection yourself with medication available at pharmacies without prescription.

You only usually need to see your GP if you think you have threadworms and you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you think your child has threadworms and they are under two years old. This is because the treatment recommended in these circumstances is usually different to what is recommended for most people.

How are threadworms spread?

Threadworms lay their eggs around an infected person’s anus (bottom), usually at night. Along with the eggs, the worm also secretes a mucus that causes itching.

If the eggs get stuck on the person’s fingertips when they scratch, they can be transferred to their mouth or onto surfaces and clothes. Other people who touch an infected surface can then transfer the eggs to their mouth.

Threadworm eggs can survive for up to three weeks before hatching. If the eggs hatch around the anus, the newly born worms can re-enter the bowel. Eggs that have been swallowed will hatch inside the intestine. After two weeks, the worms reach adult size and begin to reproduce, starting the cycle again.

Read more about what causes threadworms.

Treating threadworms

If you or your child has threadworms, everyone in your household will need to be treated because the risk of the infection spreading is high. This includes people without any symptoms of a threadworm infection.

For most people, treatment will involve a single dose of a medication called mebendazole to kill the worms. Another dose can be taken after two weeks, if necessary.

During treatment and for a few weeks afterwards, it is also important to follow strict hygiene measures to avoid spreading the threadworm eggs.

This involves things such as regularly vacuuming your house and thoroughly washing your bathroom and kitchen.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, hygiene measures are usually recommended without medication. This is also often the case for young children. 

Read more about treating threadworm infections.

Preventing threadworms

It is not always possible to prevent a threadworm infection, but you can significantly reduce your risk by always maintaining good hygiene and encouraging children to do the same.

Children should wash their hands regularly, particularly after going to the toilet and before mealtimes. Kitchen and bathroom surfaces should be kept clean.  

If your child is infected, encouraging them not to scratch the affected area around their anus or vagina will help prevent re-infection and reduce the risk of the infection spreading to other people.

Page last reviewed: 28/08/2013

Next review due: 28/08/2015

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Comments

The 8 comments posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

Goolzy said on 19 August 2014

Hi there, I just wanted to put it out there that the medication that you buy from a local pharmacist works fine. I’m 14 years old and id had threadworms for almost 6 months before actually spotting them!!! Then even though I didn’t want to I told my mum and she bought some tablets I only had to take two over 2 weeks and then they were gone!
I am writing this because I remember when I looked on here I read through everything above and calmed down from the worried state I was in from just finding out! Then I read the comments and started freaking out! So for anyone panicking calm down you’ll be fine and anyway they don’t actually do much I mean if they did id of found out within 6 months surely!

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BA13 said on 30 October 2013

Please can anyone help I want to doctors yesterday because I have threadworm they gave me tablet called mebendazole just wording how long it takes to work also what else could I take to relive the itching

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Jan 80 said on 03 August 2013

Hi Mcv1, Im sure you have probably done all this but, have you gone into school to inform them of the infection? After alot of persistance my childrens school sent out leaflets to inform all the parents-I know that not all parents will acknowledge the leaflet some will not even read it but the majority will. Also the school once informed should carry out a 6 week strict cleaning regime too.

I change the beds every week and sometimes twice weekly. Bathrooms get done twice a week too. Door and dorr handles and stair banister cleaned once/twice a week.
My daughter wears knickers undre her pjs too and changed/washed daily.

I hope this helps a little- I am very paranoid about this infection and so i completely understand your frustration and anguish.

xxx

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Mcv1 said on 12 June 2013

My daughter suffers every couple of months with worms. I Am sick of it, I’ve just put together a toiletry bag for school as they never seem to have soap in the dispensers. And I have banned her from using school pens and pencils she now takes her own.
The itching drives her insane,bless her, awake until 1- 2 in the morning crying !
She regularly washes her hands, I’ve shown her how to do it correctly etc, she tells me she washes them at school, and she has an anti bacterial gel to apply after washing what else can I do ??
She is not re infecting herself, I’m very careful using separate hand towels and taking the tablets 2 weeks after the first dose etc.
she just seems susceptible to them 🙁

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Jan 80 said on 21 May 2013

This problem is something that really upsets me, especially as I have followed all the hygiene procedures all the time and carry them on. During and after treatment. My daughter has unfortunaly had this 4 times! I feel like I will never be rid no matter what I do. I had informed school who had straight away got on to cleaning the school but didnt want to inform parents i do not understand how we can stop re infection if other children are not treated within the school/nursery setting. I am hoping that the school will now inform parents after I had spoke to them again.
🙁

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Donnio said on 17 January 2013

It states that all people in a household should be treated to prevent infection but yet children in the school who the they spend all day with dont automatically get treated. Instead they are sent back to school as its compulsory to go to be reinfected and infect others. Children aren’t encouraged and reminded to wash hands before eating lunch and snacks or especially after using the toilet. It’s about time the nhs treated schools and families all at the same time to rid of this problem. My child’s 3rd infection and I thinks it’s appalling more isnt done to stop this 🙁

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nikkinu said on 23 January 2012

vicky i,m so glad i saw your post i work in the same environment as you and work with a lady who presents all the symtoms of having thread worms i also work closely with this person and am trying to assertain whether we now need to treat other service users and all the staff working alongside her i think this is probably quite common amongst people working and living in an institutionalized environment…

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Vicky 2 said on 09 February 2011

Reading this article has given me a lot more insight into such a common, but unbeknown problem to a lot of people.

I am a support worker who caters for institutionalized people with learning disabilities. One of my service users has just told me he has "the worms" and I have been working with this person very closely. After reading this article, I am definitely going to get checked and treated by my GP.pharmacy as I have also read somewhere that some people can have no symptoms or aweareness at all.

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NHS Choices Syndication

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Enterobiasis

Symptoms of threadworms

Threadworms often go unnoticed by people who have them, but symptoms can include:

  • intense itching around the anus (or the vagina in girls), particularly at night when the female worms are laying eggs
  • disturbed sleep as a result of the itching, which can lead to irritability

In some cases, you may spot threadworms on your bed clothes or sheets at night, or you may notice them in your stools. The worms look like threads of white cotton about one centimetre long.

Severe or persistent threadworm infections can cause:

  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • skin infection around the anus, if bacteria enter any scratches caused by itching (wearing cotton gloves while sleeping may help prevent this)
  • difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep (insomnia)
  • bedwetting

In extremely rare cases, threadworms can spread outside the intestine to places such as the vagina or womb (in girls or women), the urinary tract and the liver.

Seeking medical help

If you suspect that you or your child may have threadworms, speak to your pharmacist about treatment.

See your GP if you think you have threadworms and you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • your child has threadworms and they are under two

Read more about treating a threadworm infection.

Published Date
2013-10-09 09:37:16Z
Last Review Date
2013-08-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2015-08-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Threadworm infections


NHS Choices Syndication

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Enterobiasis

Treating threadworms

To successfully treat threadworms, all household members must be treated, even if they have no symptoms.

This is because the risk of the infection spreading to other people in the same household is very high.

The aims of treatment are to get rid of the threadworms and prevent re-infection. This will usually involve a combination of medication to kill the worms and strict hygiene measures to stop the spread of the eggs.

The main medication used to treat threadworms is available from your local pharmacy without prescription, but make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because it is not suitable for everyone.

You only usually need to see your GP if you think you have threadworms and you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you think your child has threadworms and they are under two years old. This is because the treatment recommended in these circumstances is not usually the same as for most other people. See below for treatment advice in these circumstances.

Medication

Mebendazole is the main medication used to treat threadworm infections. It can be bought over the counter from your local pharmacy or prescribed by your GP and is available as a chewable tablet or as a liquid.

Mebendazole works by preventing the threadworms from absorbing sugar (glucose), which means they should die within a few days.

This medication is 90%-100% effective at killing the threadworms, but it doesn’t kill the eggs. This is why the hygiene measures outlined below should also be followed for six weeks.

Visit your GP if the infection continues two weeks after treatment. They may recommend a second dose of medication.

In rare cases, mebendazole can cause abdominal pain or diarrhoea, particularly if the threadworm infection is severe.

Hygiene measures

Strict hygiene measures can help clear up a threadworm infection and reduce the likelihood of re-infection.

The life span of threadworms is approximately six weeks, so it’s important that the hygiene methods are followed for at least this long. Everyone in the household must follow the advice outlined below

  • 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.
  • 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 help prevent eggs being transferred to other surfaces.
  • Don’t eat food in the bedroom, because 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 that children don’t suck their thumb.
  • Wash your hands frequently and scrub under your fingernails, particularly 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.
  • 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.

Children can easily pick up another threadworm infection from friends or at school, so maintaining good hygiene may help prevent re-infection.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, medication is usually not recommended. Instead, you are advised to follow the hygiene measures above.

See your GP if you are more than three months pregnant or if you are breastfeeding and you continue to experience problems using only the hygiene measures. In certain circumstances, your GP may consider prescribing medication.

If a child under two years old has threadworms

Mebendazole is not licensed for use in children under two years of age, but GPs may choose to prescribe it ‘off-label’ (outside its licence) for children who are over six months of age.

If medication is not used, the hygiene measures outlined above are recommended instead.

Make sure that you wash your baby’s bottom gently but thoroughly every time you change their nappy. Also wash your hands thoroughly before and after changing their nappy.

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Published Date
2014-02-10 08:02:22Z
Last Review Date
2013-08-27 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2015-08-27 00:00:00Z
Classification
Antiparasitic drugs,Personal hygiene,Threadworm infections

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