Threadworm Symptoms

Threadworms are parasitic worms that live in the human intestines. They are also called pinworms or seatworms and look like cotton threads. They are really small intestinal parasites that are just about 2 to 12 mm long. The female can reach a length of about 12 to 13mm and male threadworms reach a length of 5mm. Their eggs are so tiny, that is actually impossible to spot them with the naked eye. They are called Enterobius vermicularis and belong to the class of parasites helminthes. They usually infect infants and children. We shall discuss the threadworm symptoms and treatment options in the following paragraphs.

Threadworm Transmission
Threadworms in humans are passed on into the bowel or gut by consumption or inhalation of the eggs. One can come in contact with an infected person or in contact of an object or surface that had come in contact with an infected person. The eggs are not visible to the human eye. Therefore, they may be present on the toilet seat, furniture, door handles, etc. When one comes in contact with these objects, the eggs are transferred into the body of a healthy person. If the eggs become airborne, they can be present in the air and inhaled. Contracting threadworm infection is does not always indicate poor hygiene.

As soon as the threadworm eggs enter the body, they start with their life cycle. The eggs hatch in the small intestine and the larvae begin to move around in the large intestine. Males and females mate within 2 to 6 weeks of ingesting the eggs. Once copulation is completed, the male worm dies immediately afterward. The female on the other hand, emerges out of the anus and begins to lay eggs. The females come out usually at night when the infected person is asleep. She lays her eggs on the perianal skin. A sticky mucus like glue is secreted by the female that keeps the eggs attached to the skin. When the eggs are able to remain on the skin till they hatch, the tiny worms that emerge tend to crawl back into the anus. If, the person scratches the anus, the eggs are transferred back into the mouth, where they hatch and mate within the intestines. Thus, the person is reinfected again and again till the worms remain on or within the body.

Threadworm Symptoms
The threadworm symptoms are usually overlooked as they are mostly very subtle or almost non-existent. However, the threadworm symptoms in children include:

• Tiny white thread like moving worms in the stools
• The child continues to itch his bottom
• After the child falls asleep, he will continue to scratch his bottom, especially around the anus at night

The threadworm symptoms in adults include the following:

• Intense itching around the anus
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Sleeping problems due to severe itching at night
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Secondary bacterial infection due to excessive scratching
• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginitis in girls and women

How to Detect Threadworm Infections
If you suspect your child or yourself having a threadworm infection, you can carry out a sellotape test. As soon as the child or you get up in the morning, take a sellotape and stick the sticky end between the fold of the anus. When you pull it out within a few seconds, you will observe small white eggs sticking to the tape. At night, after your child is asleep, take a torch and flash light between the folds of his buttocks. You will observe the worms glowing under the torch light.

Threadworm Treatments
Once you are sure of the threadworm symptoms, you need to seek immediate treatment. Treadworms are extremely contagious and can easily spread within the family. You can speak to your doctor or visit a pharmacist for over the counter medications. Pregnant women and children below two years of age should not take any medications without the advice of their medical practitioner. The medications help in killing the worms in the gut, but you need to make sure the eggs present on the perianal skin and fallen around the house are removed as well. This will avoid reinfection. You need to vacuum the bed linen, below and around the bed. The eggs and worms can survive for two weeks outside the body. Therefore, wash your hands immediately after you wake up in the morning. This is to get rid of any eggs sticking on your fingers and nails when you might have scratched your anus in your sleep. Take a bath every morning and clean the anal area thoroughly. Wear tight-fitting clean, cotton underwear to avoid touching your skin at night in sleep. Wash you hands after you use the restroom, change nappies or before preparing food. Never bite your nails and keep the nails of your kids small to avoid transmission of eggs. Do not share towels and other clothes with others. Your toothbrush should be rinsed thoroughly before use every morning and night.

This was all about threadworm symptoms and treatment. You need to take precautions to avoid reinfection of the threadworms. If one person in the family is detected with a threadworm infection, make sure all the other members too are treated for the infection. This is to be done whether or not they show threadworm symptoms. If you have any further queries, speak to your healthcare provider for more details.