A Guide to Worms in Children

Threadworms (worms) are tiny parasites that can live in your intestines. They feed on stools and look like tiny white pieces of thread.

They’re very common in children and are easily treated with over the counter medicines.

The first signs that your child may have worms if is you notice that they’re frequently itching their bottom or vaginal area.

If you inspect your child’s bottom, you may see the thread-like worms wriggling around their anus - especially at night when they are most active.

You may also spot threadworm eggs around their anus.

• Itching around the bottom, especially at night.
• Irritability and waking at night.
• Sore skin around their bottom.
• Tummy cramps.
• Wetting the bed.
• Weight loss (very rare).

Worms are easily treated with threadworm medicines from your local pharmacy. They usually come in tablet or liquid form. It is important to treat every member of the household, not just the child with symptoms.

However, although the medicine will kill mature threadworms, the eggs are harder to eliminate. That’s because the eggs can live away from the human body for up to two weeks. So they may contaminate clothing, bedding and towels. To avoid being reinfected:

DO:

• Encourage the whole family to wash hands regularly and scrub under their fingernails - particularly after using the toilet and before eating.
• Keep fingernails short.
• Wash every morning, threadworms are more active at night.
• Make sure children wear underwear at night to contain the worms and eggs.
• Wash all bedding, towels, soft toys on a hot wash.
• Use disinfectant to clean all surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen.
• Vacuum regularly and dust everywhere using a damp cloth.

AVOID IF POSSIBLE:

• Letting your child suck their thumb or bite their fingernails.
• Sharing towels or flannels.
• Shaking clothing and bedding as it may cause the eggs to fall onto other surfaces.

You’re most commonly infected with worms after touching objects or surfaces with worm eggs on them - such as touching toilet seats or swallowing water or food that is contaminated with worm eggs. That’s why it’s so important to encourage your child to wash their hands and practice good hygiene at school as well as at home.

If you, your child or anyone else has worms, there's no need to stay off nursery, school or work.