Threadworms

The pinworm is a common intestinal parasite. People may also refer to pinworms as threadworms. They mostly occur in children and lead to itching around the anus. A threadworm infestation is known as enterobiasis.

Check if it’s threadworms

You can spot threadworms in your poo. They look like pieces of white thread.

You might also see them around your child’s bottom (anus). The worms usually come out at night while your child is sleeping.

Other symptoms can include:

extreme itching around the anus or vagina, particularly at night
irritability and waking up during the night

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you or someone has any of these:

Signs of a heart attack (chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest)
Signs of a stroke (face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking)
Sudden confusion or delirium (unsure of own name or age)
Suicide attempt (by taking something or self-harming)
Severe difficulty breathing (not being able to get words out, choking or gasping)
A serious accident, or severe injuries burns or scalds
Heavy bleeding (spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle)
Severe injuries (after a serious accident or assault)
A seizure or fit (shaking, jerking, or unconscious & can’t be woken up)
Sudden, rapid swelling (of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue)

How threadworms spread

Threadworms spread when their eggs are swallowed. They lay eggs around your bottom (anus), which make it itchy. The eggs get stuck on your fingers when you scratch. They can then pass on to anything you touch, including:

clothes
toys
toothbrushes
kitchen or bathroom surfaces
bedding
food

Eggs can pass to other people when they touch these surfaces and then touch their mouth. The eggs can survive up to 2 weeks. The larvae hatch from the eggs in your gut after you swallow them, and take 1 to 2 months to mature into threadworms.

Children can get threadworms again after they’ve been treated for them if they get the eggs in their mouth. This is why it’s important to encourage children to wash their hands regularly.