Side effects of threadworms

Female worms lay eggs around the anus, which can trigger intense nighttime itching. Scratching may irritate or break the skin and can move eggs to fingers, bedding, clothing, and household surfaces. Sleep disruption may lead to daytime tiredness or poor concentration. Some people have few symptoms. In children, persistent itching may be mistaken for a skin problem, while abdominal pain or bedwetting can have many other causes.

Wash hands carefully after using the toilet and before eating, keep fingernails short, and shower or wash the anal area in the morning. Change underwear and sleepwear regularly and wash bedding and towels as advised by a pharmacist or clinician. Treatment may involve medicine and household hygiene measures, with repeat treatment sometimes advised because eggs can remain and reinfection is common. Ask before treating babies, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

Arrange a GP consultation if itching continues after recommended treatment, keeps returning, prevents sleep, or causes broken or infected skin. Seek prompt advice for significant abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, blood in stool, or severe vulval irritation. A clinician can check whether threadworms explain the symptoms and whether another condition needs attention.

Ask whether everyone in the household should be treated, how to time any repeat dose, and which cleaning steps matter most. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergies, other medicines, and symptoms such as bedwetting or abdominal pain.