Threadworms (pinworms) are tiny worms in your poo. They're common
in children and spread easily. You can treat them without seeing a GP.
Check if it's threadworms
You can spot worms in your poo. They look like pieces of white thread.
You might also see them around your child's bottom (anus). The worms
usually come out at night while your child is sleeping.
Other symptoms can include:
- extreme itching around the anus or vagina, particularly at
night
- irritability and waking up during the night
Less common signs of worms include:
- weight loss
- wetting the bed
- irritated skin around the anus
A pharmacist can help with threadworms
You can buy medicine (mebendazole) for threadworms from pharmacies. This is
usually a chewable tablet or liquid you swallow.
Treat everyone in your household, even if they do not have symptoms.
Tell your pharmacist if you need to treat a child under 2, or if you're
pregnant or breastfeeding. Treatment might not be suitable and you may need to speak to a
GP.
Find a
pharmacy
Things you should do at home
Medicine kills the threadworms, but it does not kill the eggs. Eggs can live
for up to 2 weeks outside the body.
There are things you can do to stop becoming infected again.
Do:
- wash hands and scrub under fingernails - particularly before eating,
after using the toilet or changing nappies
- encourage children to wash hands regularly
- bathe or shower every morning
- rinse toothbrushes before using them
- keep fingernails short
- wash sleepwear, sheets, towels and soft toys (at a hot
temperature)
- disinfect kitchen and bathroom surfaces
- vacuum and dust with a damp cloth
- make sure children wear underwear at night - change it in the
morning
Don't:
- do not shake clothing or bedding, to prevent eggs landing on other
surfaces
- do not share towels or flannels
- do not bite nails or suck thumbs and fingers
Nursery, school and work
If you or your child has threadworms there's no need to stay off nursery,
school or work.
How threadworms spread
Threadworms spread when their eggs are swallowed. They lay eggs around your
bottom (anus), which make it itchy. The eggs get stuck on your fingers when you scratch. They
can then pass on to anything you touch, including:
- clothes
- toys
- toothbrushes
- kitchen or bathroom surfaces
- bedding
- food
- pets
Eggs can then pass to other people when they touch these surfaces and then
touch their mouth. They take around 2 weeks to hatch.
Children can get worms again after they've been treated for them if they
get the eggs in their mouth. This is why it's important to encourage children to wash their
hands regularly.