Overview
Symptoms
Threadworms also known as pinworm are tiny thin white worms that can be seen in stools.
Causes
Threadworms are common in children and are spread easily. They spread when their eggs are swallowed. Once swallowed they lay eggs around the anus which make it itchy. The eggs stick to your fingers when you scratch and are passed onto anything that is touched. When other people then touch these surfaces and then touch their mouth they become infected. Threadworms take around 2 weeks to hatch.
Treatments
You can get medicine for threadworms from the pharmacy (Ovex). These are chewable tablets or liquid that you swallow. Everyone in the household will need to be treated even if they do not have symptoms. You should tell the pharmacist if you have a child under 2 or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.