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Conditions

Threadworms

Threadworms

If we’re talking worms, then we’re talking parasites – small intestinal parasites, to be precise. It sounds hideous, but the threadworm (or ‘pinworm’) is the most common worm parasite infestation of children in the UK (although, any age can be affected). They are usually passed on through poor hygiene, live about 5-6 weeks in the gut, and then die. But before doing so, the female worms lay tiny eggs around the anus, which leads to itching during the night. The resultant scratching can lead to eggs getting onto our fingers and under our nails, which we may then swallow, beginning the cycle of infestation again. However, threadworms can usually be eradicated with medication and strict hygiene. But if you think humans have it bad, then you should consider grasshoppers, who play host to ‘hairworms’ which essentially brainwash the insects with a cocktail of chemicals that makes them commit suicide by leaping into water. In light of that – an itchy bottom is nothing!

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If your child is itching down below, they may have thread-worms, check our guide for parents on Embarrassing Bodies: Kids website.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

I have just discovered I have threadworm for the 3rd time In my live, I've had a itchy Anus for a few weeks now and at first i thought oh great.. Not again. But i was so used to seeing them in my feseas that wen I didn't see them there I got worried that it was another type of parasitic worm inside me but it was infact thread worm. I don't udnerstand why I keep getting these things My Mum is one step off a germaphobe, The tablets deal with them nicely tho altho It's really grim and I would like to stop getting them.





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I have had persistent thread worms on and off for at least 20 years and am constantly using the tablets to clear up the problem which they do.... but I find within a couple of months they are back again. I find it really annoying when it is mentioned that it is down to personal hygiene and cleanliness, how clean do you have to be?? I am the only one in the household that gets them I have two children and neither one of them as ever suffered with this problem. HELP ME!!





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Help, I have had thread worms for years now and am not able to get rid of them. Everybody says the same thing, be really clean and persistent. I have been very strict about cleanliness and washes everyday. I clean carpets, bedding, clothes and scrub the house continuously. I a also constantly taking tablets and herbal remedies. It has taken over my life, I can't go out at night, I am up all night, it reduces me to tears most days and am starting to get depressed. I have been to my GP many times and they tell me the same thing. It doesn't work, I am very very clean. Please please help me





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Hey there. I'm 21 years old and I am in the EXACT same boat as you are. I only ever had threadworms twice in my life, once when I was four and again when I was 12 - ever since then I have checked thoroughly after each toilet visit to make sure they do not return, and then... hey ho! They appeared out of the blue in April of this year and for the past four months they have made numerous returns, but I've always been quick to catch them. The good thing is that once you take the medication they disapear completely - from your clothes, from your body, from your insides... but then they return say 8 - 12 weeks later. What I would suggest doing is wear cotton gloves whilst out in public places, do not use public toilets, clean your toilet after each visit, have a bath each day, eat plenty of garlic (threadworms hate garlic) Make sure that if any children are using your toilet that they do not have threadworms, steam clean all your clothes - even if you have already done so, do it again - and most importaintly, make sure that you get everyone you have been in contact with medication also because this is how it will spread, oh and as a second tip - they don't like creams either, so some thrush cream will also do. Threadworms do go away without medication on their own - this is a fact, many people could be in our boat and have suffered them for years and have not the slightest clue. All in all, I think you should badger and complain about the situation to your GP and demand that you see a specialist, or even better get your house treated. Just remember, they are just parasites - the worst they can do is make your body itch, but they generally mean you no harm.

Im 15 and i had thread worms when i was 9 , i had them again for like 2 years then i just ignored it and i thought they went away but they never and i keep getting stomach aches and stuff its been like 3/4 years now and im really embarrassed , and i cant tell my mum , is it going to become searious? Help mee





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is it normal to have them at the age of 13 years of age?





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i have had these 4 age,s and have used ovex every time can u permently get rid of them i am getting really annoyed with them so please help me get rid of them 4 ever





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Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/

i'm 13(1/2) and i keep getting worms and my mum is feed up of buying ovex she gets really mad when she has to bye it all the time so i dont want to tell her what do i do???





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my boys have had worms quite a few times had tried all medicine they will go then come back!! they r clean boys who get their beds changed once a week and who are bathed daily why is this happening please help!!!!!!!!!





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i've had them for as long as i can remember and i've had medicine and they just came back. i dont no what to do, but i've noticed if you shower daily and avoid thinking about it they tend to go away. i just think i'm unlucky with them and my mum think i never had them... she doesnt quite understand.





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I Have had them for like 1 year and they are soo terible and when i asked my mum what she would say if i had worms and she said that i would be dirty and horrible and i just really need like a herbal and is there anything you can do like eat something or stuff please HELP ME I REALLY NEED THIS !! X





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Same! I have had them for about the same period of time as you, but i was scared as i didn't know what they were.Therefor i didn't want to tell my parents incase they thought i was dirty and didn't wash! You have to tell them as it will not go away on it's own. You can buy products like ovex that specialise in threadworms and they can be bought over the counter. hope this helps!!!

Well luckily my mum bought some ovex cause our cat had worms !! and i had one and now i don't have them and the best thing is she never had to know !!! X





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Threadworms (Enterobius vermicularis) are small worm parasites that infect the intestines of humans. Read More »

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