After about 2 weeks the threadworms will have grown into adults, at which point they'll reproduce and the cycle of infection will start again. As well as being swallowed by a person who touches a contaminated object or surface, threadworm eggs can also be swallowed after being breathed in. This can happen if the eggs become airborne — for example, after shaking a contaminated towel or bed sheet. Threadworms only infect humans and aren't spread in animal faeces.
However, there's a small risk that threadworms can be caught from pets if the animal's fur becomes contaminated with eggs after an infected person strokes it. If another person then touches the animal's fur, the eggs could be passed on to them.
Threadworm infections most commonly affect young children because they often forget to wash their hands and they share toys with other children. People who are in close contact with someone with a threadworm infection also have a high risk of infection. This is why all members of a household need to be treated when someone has a threadworm infection. Read more about treating threadworms. To treat threadworms successfully, all household members must be treated, even if they don't have any symptoms.
This is because the risk of the infection spreading is very high. The aim of treatment is to get rid of the threadworms and prevent reinfection. This will usually involve a combination of medication to kill the worms and strict hygiene measures to stop the spread of the eggs.
The main medication used to treat threadworms is available from your local pharmacy without a prescription. However, it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions as it isn't suitable for everyone. Mebendazole is the main medication used to treat threadworm infections. It can be bought over the counter from your local pharmacy or prescribed by your GP. It's available as a chewable tablet or a liquid.
Mebendazole works by preventing the threadworms absorbing sugar, which means they should die within a few days. This is why the hygiene measures outlined below should also be followed for 6 weeks. Visit your pharmacist if the infection continues two weeks after treatment. They may recommend a second dose of medication. In rare cases, mebendazole can cause abdominal pain or diarrhoea , particularly if the threadworm infection is severe.
Strict hygiene measures can help clear up a threadworm infection and reduce the likelihood of reinfection. The lifespan of threadworms is approximately 6 weeks, so it's important that hygiene measures are followed for at least this length of time.
Everyone in the household must follow the advice outlined below. Children can easily pick up another threadworm infection from friends or at school, so maintaining good hygiene may help prevent reinfection.
Medication isn't usually recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Instead, you should follow the hygiene measures above. See your GP if you're more than 3 months pregnant, or if you're breastfeeding and you continue to experience problems after only taking hygiene measures.
In certain circumstances, your GP may consider prescribing medication. Make sure you wash your baby's bottom gently but thoroughly every time you change their nappy. Also wash your hands thoroughly before and after changing their nappy. Mebendazole isn't licensed for use in children under 2 years of age, but GPs may decide to prescribe it off-label for children over 6 months. Home Illnesses and conditions Stomach, liver and gastrointestinal tract Threadworms.
Threadworms See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. If it doesn't wiggle, it's probably lint or a thread. The worm may be seen around the anus or on the child's bottom. It is especially active at night or early morning. Rarely, the pinworm is seen on the surface of a stool. The pinworm's secretions are a strong skin irritant and cause the itching. Reason: needs a pinworm medicine. Red and tender skin around the anus. In institutions, mass and simultaneous treatment, repeated in 2 weeks, can be effective.
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