How common are How common are threadworms?threadworms?• In the UK, the threadworm is the In the UK, the threadworm is the

most common worm parasite that most common worm parasite that infects children. infects children.

• It is estimated that up to 40% of It is estimated that up to 40% of children under 10 years of age may children under 10 years of age may be infected with threadworms. be infected with threadworms.

Threadworms are small worm parasites that Threadworms are small worm parasites that infect the intestines of humans. infect the intestines of humans.

Threadworms, sometimes known as Threadworms, sometimes known as pinworms, are white and look like a small pinworms, are white and look like a small piece of thread. Adult worms live for up to piece of thread. Adult worms live for up to six weeks.six weeks.

Threadworms do not always cause Threadworms do not always cause symptoms, although some people will symptoms, although some people will experience itchiness around their anus and experience itchiness around their anus and vagina (in females). vagina (in females).

The itchiness is particularly noticeable at The itchiness is particularly noticeable at night and can disturb sleep.night and can disturb sleep.

Symptoms of threadwormsSymptoms of threadworms  

• Intense itching around the anus/ vagina, Intense itching around the anus/ vagina, particularly at nightparticularly at night

• Disturbed sleep as a result of the itching, which Disturbed sleep as a result of the itching, which can make you irritable can make you irritable

If you have a severe infection or persistent If you have a severe infection or persistent infections, threadworms can cause:infections, threadworms can cause:

• loss of appetite loss of appetite • weight loss weight loss • Insomnia (difficulty getting to sleep or staying Insomnia (difficulty getting to sleep or staying

asleep) asleep) • severe irritability severe irritability • As threadworms do not always cause symptoms, As threadworms do not always cause symptoms,

all members of your household should be all members of your household should be treated, even if only one person notices treated, even if only one person notices symptoms.symptoms.

Transferring eggsTransferring eggs• Eggs can be transferred from your anus to:Eggs can be transferred from your anus to:• underwear or clothes underwear or clothes • bed sheets bed sheets • towels towels • carpet carpet

Once the eggs are on your hands, they can be Once the eggs are on your hands, they can be transferred to anything you touch, including:transferred to anything you touch, including:

• children’s toys children’s toys • kitchen utensils kitchen utensils • toothbrushes toothbrushes • furniture furniture • surfaces in the kitchen or bathroomsurfaces in the kitchen or bathroom

Swallowing the eggsSwallowing the eggs• Threadworm eggs can survive on Threadworm eggs can survive on

surfaces for up to three weekssurfaces for up to three weeks. If you . If you touch the eggs, they transferr onto your touch the eggs, they transferr onto your hands. If you then touch your mouth, you may hands. If you then touch your mouth, you may swallow the eggs. swallow the eggs.

• It is also possible to breathe in the eggs It is also possible to breathe in the eggs and then swallow themand then swallow them. The eggs are so . The eggs are so small that they can become airborne, for small that they can become airborne, for example if you shake a towel or bed sheet that example if you shake a towel or bed sheet that has eggs on it. has eggs on it.

• Once you have swallowed the eggs, they Once you have swallowed the eggs, they hatch in your intestines. After around two hatch in your intestines. After around two weeks, the threadworms can reproduce and weeks, the threadworms can reproduce and the cycle of infection will start again.  the cycle of infection will start again. 

Poor hygienePoor hygiene• Threadworms are most common in small children Threadworms are most common in small children

because they are not fully aware of the importance because they are not fully aware of the importance of good hygiene and they often forget to wash their of good hygiene and they often forget to wash their hands. hands.

• As children regularly come into close contact with As children regularly come into close contact with one another and share toys or hold hands while one another and share toys or hold hands while playing, re-infection is easy. playing, re-infection is easy.

• Threadworms are often found in families, particularly Threadworms are often found in families, particularly in crowded conditions. in crowded conditions.

• Threadworms only infect humans and cannot be Threadworms only infect humans and cannot be caught from animals. However, there is a small risk caught from animals. However, there is a small risk that threadworms can be caught from household that threadworms can be caught from household pets if the animal’s fur becomes contaminated with pets if the animal’s fur becomes contaminated with eggs. eggs.

Spotting the wormsSpotting the wormsThreadworms are difficult to see because of their Threadworms are difficult to see because of their size and colour. The male worm is rarely seen size and colour. The male worm is rarely seen because it remains inside the intestine.because it remains inside the intestine.

The best time to try to see the threadworms is at The best time to try to see the threadworms is at night, when the female worms come out to lay night, when the female worms come out to lay their eggs. Look two to three hours after they have their eggs. Look two to three hours after they have fallen asleep. The worms may be visible on your fallen asleep. The worms may be visible on your child’s underwear, pyjamas or bed sheets. child’s underwear, pyjamas or bed sheets.

Sometimes, worms can be found in stools (faeces). Sometimes, worms can be found in stools (faeces). The worms look like small pieces of white cotton The worms look like small pieces of white cotton thread, which is where their name comes from. thread, which is where their name comes from.

Threadworm eggs are not visible to the naked eyeThreadworm eggs are not visible to the naked eye

Diagnosing threadworms Diagnosing threadworms 

If you think your child may have If you think your child may have threadworms, you could look for the threadworms, you could look for the worms and begin treatment yourself. worms and begin treatment yourself. Alternatively, you can see your GP. Alternatively, you can see your GP.

Always see your GP if you think you may Always see your GP if you think you may have threadworms and:have threadworms and:

•you are pregnant you are pregnant

•you are breastfeeding you are breastfeeding

•you have a baby under three months you have a baby under three months old old

Treating threadworms Treating threadworms 

• The aim of treatment is to get rid of the threadworms and The aim of treatment is to get rid of the threadworms and prevent re-infection.prevent re-infection.

To successfully treat threadworms, the entire household To successfully treat threadworms, the entire household must be treated, even if not everyone has symptoms. must be treated, even if not everyone has symptoms. You can do either of the following:You can do either of the following:

• Follow a strict hygiene method for six weeks Follow a strict hygiene method for six weeks

• Take medication and follow a strict hygiene method for Take medication and follow a strict hygiene method for two weeks two weeks

As the life span of the threadworms is approximately six As the life span of the threadworms is approximately six weeks, it is important that hygiene methods are followed weeks, it is important that hygiene methods are followed for six weeks. Everyone in the household must follow this for six weeks. Everyone in the household must follow this advice.advice.

Hygiene methodHygiene method• Wash all sleepwear, bed linen, towels and cuddly toys when you are first Wash all sleepwear, bed linen, towels and cuddly toys when you are first

diagnosed (this can be done at normal temperatures but make sure that the diagnosed (this can be done at normal temperatures but make sure that the washing is well rinsed). washing is well rinsed).

• Thoroughly vacuum and dust the whole house, paying particular attention to Thoroughly vacuum and dust the whole house, paying particular attention to the bedrooms. Continue to vacuum regularly and thoroughly.  the bedrooms. Continue to vacuum regularly and thoroughly. 

• Carefully clean the bathroom and kitchen by damp-dusting surfaces and Carefully clean the bathroom and kitchen by damp-dusting surfaces and washing the cloth frequently in hot water. Continue to clean bathroom and washing the cloth frequently in hot water. Continue to clean bathroom and kitchen surfaces regularly and thoroughly.  kitchen surfaces regularly and thoroughly. 

• Avoid shaking any material that may have eggs on it, such as clothing or bed Avoid shaking any material that may have eggs on it, such as clothing or bed sheets, as this may transfer the eggs to other surfaces. sheets, as this may transfer the eggs to other surfaces.

• Do not eat food in the bedroom because you may end up swallowing eggs Do not eat food in the bedroom because you may end up swallowing eggs that have been shaken off the bedclothes. that have been shaken off the bedclothes.

• Keep your fingernails short. Keep your fingernails short. • Discourage nail biting and finger sucking. In particular, make sure that Discourage nail biting and finger sucking. In particular, make sure that

children do not suck their thumb. children do not suck their thumb. • Wash your hands frequently and scrub under your fingernails, particularly Wash your hands frequently and scrub under your fingernails, particularly

before eating, after going to the toilet and before and after changing a nappy. before eating, after going to the toilet and before and after changing a nappy. • Wear close-fitting underwear at night and change your underwear every Wear close-fitting underwear at night and change your underwear every

morning. morning. • Wearing cotton gloves at night may help prevent scratching while you are Wearing cotton gloves at night may help prevent scratching while you are

asleep. asleep. • Bath or shower regularly, particularly first thing in the morning, and make Bath or shower regularly, particularly first thing in the morning, and make

sure you clean around your anus and vagina to remove any eggs.  sure you clean around your anus and vagina to remove any eggs.  • Ensure that everyone in your household has their own face flannel and towel. Ensure that everyone in your household has their own face flannel and towel.

Avoid sharing towels. Avoid sharing towels. • Keep toothbrushes in a closed cupboard and rinse them thoroughly before Keep toothbrushes in a closed cupboard and rinse them thoroughly before

use. use.

Should my child still go to Should my child still go to school?school?

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) advises The Health Protection Agency (HPA) advises that children should still go to school if that children should still go to school if they have a threadworm infection. Schools they have a threadworm infection. Schools and nurseries should follow good hygiene and nurseries should follow good hygiene practices to limit the spread of infection. practices to limit the spread of infection. This will include: This will include:

• Cleaning toys and equipment Cleaning toys and equipment

• Encouraging children to wash their hands Encouraging children to wash their hands regularly regularly