Threadworms in children: what they mean

Threadworms are tiny worms that live in the bowel. At night, they may come to the skin around the anus, where they lay eggs and trigger itching. A child may scratch, wake often, grind their teeth or seem tired the next day. Eggs can get under fingernails and spread when hands touch food, toys or shared surfaces. Some children have few symptoms, while others become very uncomfortable. Bedwetting or abdominal pain can have many causes and should not automatically be attributed to worms.

Ask a pharmacist or clinician about treatment appropriate for the child's age and circumstances. Do not share adult medicines or guess a dose. Encourage handwashing after the toilet and before food, keep nails short, discourage nail biting, and wash the child's bottom or shower in the morning. Change underwear and sleepwear, wash bedding and towels, and avoid shaking them. The household may need coordinated advice because eggs spread easily between close contacts. Recheck the instructions if itching returns.

Contact a clinician if the child remains itchy after treatment, has repeated episodes, cannot sleep, or the suspected worms are not clearly visible. Seek urgent help for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, blood in the stool, a swollen abdomen, unusual drowsiness or difficulty drinking. A clinician can also consider other explanations for persistent itching or disturbed sleep.

Ask which treatment fits the child's age, whether siblings and adults at home need advice, how to handle school or nursery attendance, and what to do if symptoms remain. Tell the clinician about sleep changes, scratching, stomach symptoms and any medicine already given.