Threadworms in children

Threadworms are extremely common in children, but fairly harmless and easy to get rid of. The worms look like tiny cream threads, from 2 to 13mm long and can live for up to six weeks in the gut. Infected children scratch their bottoms, trap the eggs under the fingernails and can pass the eggs on their hands. If your child then swallows eggs they'll become infected. They hatch out in the gut and the female worms lay eggs around the anus, which cause itching so the cycle repeats itself!. A treatment drink from your pharmacy will zap threadworms. Make sure the whole family takes it.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of threadworms from patient.co.uk, read on.

Threadworms are common but are not usually serious. They can infect the gut and lay eggs around your anus which causes itch. Medication kills the worms, but not their eggs which can survive for two weeks. Hygiene measures for two weeks after taking medication prevents you from swallowing eggs to cause re-infection. All household members should be treated.

What are threadworms?

Threadworms are small, white, thread-like worms between 2 and 13 mm long. They infect human guts (intestines). They are common in children, but anyone of any age can be affected.