About Threadworms

Around 40% of children under the age of ten will get threadworms at some stage, so it is a very common condition. However, it’s not always easy to recognise the symptoms, or know what to do if you find them!

The Threadworm Lifecycle

Threadworms come from eggs which are so small, you can’t actually see them. The eggs stick under the fingernails and can be swallowed. This is the beginning of the threadworm life cycle.

Remember, threadworms are a common ailment with a simple solution. Visit our Pripsen page for treatments.

Threadworm Factfile

 - Around 40% of children under the age of 10 are likely to have threadworms at some stage

 - In adults, the highest rate of infection occurs in parents aged 30-39 years, typically because of transmission from their children aged 5-10 years 

 - Threadworms are usually passed between children in schools and nurseries where they are in close contact with each other, they then pass them on to other members of the family at home

 - Threadworms cannot be picked up from animals

 - Threadworms, or pinworms, (Enterobius vermicularis) look like white cotton threads. The female is about 10mm long, and the male is about 3mm long

 - They are caught by swallowing the eggs, which then hatch in the intestine and quickly develop into adult worms 

Eggs Factfile

 - Female threadworms can lay up to 16,000 eggs before they die

 - Strict hygiene measures and a second course of treatment are necessary to reduce the risk of re-infection, as drug treatment has no effect on threadworm eggs.

 - The eggs stick under fingernails and can be swallowed

 - Eggs can survive for up to 2 weeks on clothing, bedding and carpets

 - Once the eggs are swallowed, they hatch out into the gut, and the adult worms cling to the gut wall.

Treatment

 - The main symptom of threadworm infestation is intense itching around the anal area, although some children have no symptoms at all.

 - Threadworms do not indicate dirtiness or bad diet

 - Mebendazole is the most common drug treatment in the UK and is suitable for adults and children over two years old

 - Piperazine is an alternative treatment which is available as a powder to mix with water or milk, suitable for children over three months old

 - Treatment should be repeated two weeks later to get rid of any newly hatched worms as there is a period of about 14 days between the worm hatching and being able to lay eggs of its own

 - Over-the-counter treatments (containing mebendazole or piperazine) have cure rates of around 90%

 - It is important to treat all family members at the same time, whether symptomatic or not.