Itchy bum and threadworms: what to know

Threadworms are small intestinal worms whose eggs can spread between people through contaminated fingers, bedding, clothing, and household surfaces. Night-time itching happens because adult worms may move around the anus. Scratching can irritate the skin and transfer eggs under the fingernails. Some people have no symptoms; others may have restless sleep, irritability, or visible thread-like worms around the anus or in stool. Abdominal pain or bedwetting can have many causes and does not by itself confirm threadworms.

Speak with a pharmacist or clinician about the appropriate worm treatment and whether household members should be treated together. Follow the product instructions carefully. Wash hands with soap after using the toilet and before eating, keep fingernails short, avoid nail biting, and bathe or shower in the morning. Change underwear and sleepwear regularly, wash bedding and towels, and clean frequently touched surfaces. Do not shake bedding, because this can spread eggs. Continue the recommended hygiene routine for the advised period.

Arrange a GP consultation if itching continues after treatment, returns repeatedly, or the diagnosis is uncertain. Seek prompt advice for severe abdominal pain, vomiting, marked skin soreness, bleeding, or a child who is unusually unwell. Ask before using treatment for a young child or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Do the night-time symptoms fit threadworms, and is testing needed? Who in the household should receive advice? How long should hygiene measures continue? What should we do if itching persists after treatment?