Have you got kids between the ages of 2 and 7 with any of the following symptoms?
1. out-of-character
2. agitated
3. uncomfortable in their skins
4. tantrumming a lot
5. nightwaking, agitated at night – twitching, crying out in sleep
6. really angry
7. tummy aches, constipation
8. itching their bum and/or vulva
9. craving sugar…
..sounds like every kid you’ve ever met, right?
Well, what you may not consider is that your kids might have threadworms.
What are threadworms?
They are tiny worms, pin worms, that live in the gut and come alive to lay their eggs at night. Essentially, they are an infestation of the intestine.
How do my kids get it?
You’ll be pleased to know that if your kid has threadworms, it isn’t a reflection on the cleanliness of your home or family. School children are particularly likely to catch them because they often share things like food, pencils, books or toys. Any of these can carry tiny, almost invisible worm eggs. All it takes is for the child to put his or her fingers in the mouth or pick up contaminated items and the worm infection cycle begins. They can be and are usually passed from the child to the rest of the family.
How common is it?
Threadworm infestation of the gut is the commonest type of worm infestation that occurs in Ireland and it is estimated that up to 40% of children under 10 years of age may be infected.
What are the symptoms?
Aside from the list above, the symptoms of threadworms can include:
1. intense itching around the anus, particularly at night when the female worms are laying eggs
2. itching around the vagina
3. disturbed sleep as a result of the itching
4. loss of appetite
5. weight loss insomnia
6. severe irritability
Will I actually see the worms?
Many parents report checking the nappies/stools of their kids on the lookout for worms but don’t necessarily always see them. The other symptoms can be present without visible evidence of threadworms.
How do I treat them?
Your pharmacist will advise you on the best possible treatment but Vermox seems to be very popular. The infected person needs to take one tablet and then a second one three weeks later.
Is there anything preventative I can do?
Yes, some mums are opting to treat their kids a couple of times a year ‘just in case’. They say that the Vermox is mild enough and if there any side effects, it’s that it can be slightly rough on the tummy for a couple of days but that’s about it.
Does the rest of the family get worms too?
It is advisable that if one member of the family is being treated for worms, that everyone else takes the treatment at the same time. Vermox is relatively inexpensive so it won’t cost you a lot of money.
Anything else?
Yes, strip the beds and wash everything on high temp as regularly as possible during treatment. Same goes for towels. Also, get everyone on board with intense and regular hand washing.
As with anything to do with your children’s health, we can’t stress enough that you should get medical advice when you think you need it and/or consult your pharmacist. Good luck!
