Worms

As unpleasant as they sound, threadworms are very common in children, with 40% of under 10s getting them at some point. They’re not dangerous, but they can be really uncomfortable and cause bed wetting.

Threadworm eggs are so tiny you can’t see them, but they can live in dust, clothes, carpets, towels and bedding. They get under fingernails, which are then put into mouths, allowing the eggs to travel down and hatch in your child’s tummy. The worms themselves look like little white cotton threads. The females come out of the bottom at night to lay more eggs, which makes children scratch, transferring eggs to their fingernails and once again to their mouths.

What symptoms might my child have?

• An itchy bottom
• Fine, white threads around their bottom and in their poo
• Bed wetting and sleeplessness

I think my child has worms – what should I do?

Don’t worry, the worms won’t hurt them. You can buy treatments without prescription from your pharmacist, either as tablets, or powders you can mix into a drink. Follow the instructions carefully, as your child may need more than one dose to make sure no new eggs hatch.

The rest of your family should be treated too. Even adults can get threadworms, and they’re easily spread. After the treatment, especially for the first six weeks, make sure the whole family washes their hands after going to the loo and before eating.

Try to keep bedrooms, bathrooms, bedding, towels and clothes clean, cut nails short and discourage children from biting their nails, scratching their bottoms or picking their noses.

Product examples: Pripsen powder or tablets, Ovex.

Always read the label. Please ask our pharmacist for advice.