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Threadworm treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
How do you get rid of threadworms fast?+−
The fastest way to get rid of threadworms is through medication whilst at the same time practicing strict hygiene.
Mebendazole works to kill live worms, whilst hygiene practices can get rid of eggs that have already contaminated clothing, bedding or other household items.
What is the best treatment for threadworms in the UK?+−
First-line treatment for threadworms in the UK is mebendazole. It works by starving the worms, killing them.
The treatment is suitable for most but cannot be taken by children under 2, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Can you buy threadworm treatment over the counter?+−
Yes, mebendazole is a pharmacy-only (P) medicine. Whilst you do not need a prescription, you will still need to answer a few questions about your symptoms before you can access treatment.
Do you have to treat the whole family for threadworms?+−
Yes, absolutely. This is a very important aspect of treatment. Even if other family members do not have symptoms, the eggs can spread through household items leading to a continuous cycle of reinfection.
How long do threadworms last after treatment?+−
The medication starts to work immediately, taking a few days to kill adult worms. However, as the treatment cannot kill eggs already in the home, a second treatment is needed two weeks later - to catch any new worms that have hatched.
Will threadworms go away on their own?+−
Yes, but with extreme effort. The lifespan of a threadworm is about six weeks - if strict hygiene practice is followed for this time, without swallowing new eggs, existing worms will die off.
However, as the eggs are so contagious, relying on hygiene alone without medication is very difficult.
What kills threadworm eggs in the house?+−
Threadworm eggs can survive for up to 3 weeks outside the body but can be destroyed by:
High heat
Physical removal
It is recommended to vacuum and wipe down all surfaces, door handles and taps as well as washing clothing and bedding at high temperatures.
Antibacterial sprays do not kill eggs, physical washing with soap and warm water is required.
Can you get threadworms from your dog or cat?+−
No, threadworms are a human parasite and cannot be caught through pets. Threadworms cannot live, breed or survive in the bodies of household pets.
Are threadworms dangerous?+−
No, threadworms are not dangerous and do not cause serious health issues. The primary symptom they cause is an intense itching, worse at night.
Why do threadworms keep coming back?+−
If threadworms keep returning, this is not due to medication failure but rather due to reinfection. This happens when:
The second dose of medication was missed 2 weeks after the first
A member of the household was not treated and passed eggs back
The 2-week hygiene rule wasn’t adequately maintained, allowing survival on home surfaces.
A child is continuously picking up new eggs from an outbreak at nursery or school.
What are threadworms?
Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are tiny, white thread-like worms that live in the gut and lay eggs at night. It is the most common worm infection in the UK, and can affect anyone of any age.
Medically known as Enterobius vermicularis, a pinworm infection is called enterobiasis. Whilst it can look unsettling to see white threads in poo, thread worms are relatively harmless and do not cause serious medical harm. They are a common nuisance that can easily be resolved.
What are the symptoms of threadworms?
The most clear-cut symptom of threadworms is physically spotting the worms in poo. They are easy to spot and look like white threads.
Other common signs to look for include:
Intense itching around the bottom- particularly at night. Female worms crawl out to lay eggs, releasing a substance that causes itching.
Disturbed sleep - Due to the discomfort, many patients, particularly children often become restless, wake up frequently or experience bed wetting.
Irritability - a lack of sleep commonly leads to daytime tiredness and irritability.
How do you catch threadworms, and are they contagious?
Yes, threadworms are highly contagious, and are spread through accidentally ingesting microscopic eggs. It is not linked to poor hygiene or pets.
A person usually gets threadworms through a specific cycle of events:
Scratching - an infected person scratches their bottom at night, due to itching.
Transfer - the microscopic eggs stick to the fingers and under fingernails.
Contamination - if the infected person does not wash their hands, eggs are transferred to surfaces, toys, bedding or food.
Ingestion - a new host touches the contaminated objects, then their mouth, swallowing the eggs.
Each female worm can produce more than 10,000 eggs, which can survive on contaminated surfaces for up to 3 weeks.
How do you get rid of threadworms?
Getting rid of threadworms requires a two-fold approach:
Medication to kill the live worms in the body
Strict hygiene to get rid of any remaining eggs in the household.
The standard UK treatment is Ovex - containing the active ingredient mebendazole. This is a pharmacy-only (P) medicine which can be purchased over-the-counter once you have spoken to a pharmacist. Here at Quick Meds, simply fill out a short consultation asking about your symptoms to access treatment.
This treatment is taken as a single dose, repeated after 2 weeks alongside a strict hygiene routine.
As the eggs can spread easily through the home, the most important rule is to treat the entire household at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms.
Ovex tablet or liquid - which should I get?
Ovex works by starving the worms, killing them.
Available in both a tablet and a liquid form, both preparations are clinically identical. The choice between products depends on age of patients and preference:
Form | Best for | Considerations | |
|---|---|---|---|
Ovex Chewable Tablet | Adults and children over 2 years. | Orange-flavored - can be crushed if needed. | |
Ovex Suspension (Liquid) | Younger children (over 2 years) who struggle to swallow pills. | Banana-flavoured, easy to measure with a dosing spoon. |
The Hygiene Routine
Whilst the medication is effective at killing worms in the body, it does not destroy eggs that have been laid in the body or around the house. If these eggs are swallowed, a new cycle begins and the patient can get reinfected.
To break the cycle, a strict hygiene cycle must be started on the same day medication starts and continues for at least 2 weeks.
General Hygiene
Wash hands and scrub under nails, especially before eating, after using the toilet or changing nappies. Ensure children are encouraged to wash their hands regularly too.
Make sure everyone has a shower every morning and wears underwear at night, which is changed in the morning.
Wash Bedding And Clothing
All bedding and clothing, towels and soft toys must be washed immediately at a high temperature to kill any eggs. Do not shake the bedding when taking it off as this may spread the eggs into the air, contaminating other surfaces.
Disinfect The House
Vacuum carpets thoroughly and wipe down all surfaces, door handles, taps and toys to capture and remove loose eggs.
Keep Nails Short
Clip everyone's fingernail and scrub regularly with a nail brush. This stops eggs gathering under nails if someone scratches.
How long does treatment take to work?
Mebendazole gets to work straight away, killing adult worms within a few days. However, as it cannot kill the eggs, a second dose may be required after 2 weeks if re-infection is required.
The second dose catches any new worms that have hatched.
Threadworms In Pregnancy And In Children Under 2
Standard treatments available over-the-counter like Ovex are not licensed for all patients. The treatment is not licensed and should not be used by
Children under 2 years
Pregnant women
Breastfeeding mothers
For these groups, a GP should be consulted. A GP is optimally placed to either supply mebendazole under their supervision or offer an alternative, more suitable treatment.
For all groups, patients should rely on strict hygiene practice to naturally starve out the infection.
When should I see a pharmacist or GP?
For most cases, the infection can be treated safely with two doses of mebendazole and strict hygiene practice. A patient should consider seeing a GP if:
They are pregnant, breastfeeding or under 2 years old.
Symptoms do not improve, or worsen after completing the full treatment and hygiene routine.
There are signs of a secondary skin infection due to intense scratching.
The patient has recently travelled abroad.
