Threadworms are small, thin worms that look like white threads and infect the intestines. Threadworms are a common affliction; more commonly seen in children but they can also infect women and men of any age. One of the main causes of threadworms is poor personal hygiene. Scratching the anus and not washing one’s hands can lead to the contamination of food and objects and the spread of the infection. Threadworm eggs can also transfer from person to person by touching infected objects such as sheets, beddings, children’s toys, and kitchen utensils.
If you are pregnant and complain of an itchy anus or vaginal area along with mild tummy pains, you may be suffering from threadworms. To confirm the presence of threadworms, your doctor may ask for a stool test. Alternatively, a simple sticky tape placed around the anus first thing in the morning and then inspected in a lab will also indicate the presence of threadworms. Threadworms are not usually considered a serious medical condition and are usually treated with antihelminitic drugs used to kill the worms such as Piperazine and Senna. While these drugs destroy the worms in the gut, they do not damage the eggs thus it may take up to two weeks for the infection to clear completely. The problem with threadworms in pregnancy is that they cannot be treated with conventional medications as these may harm the fetus. The only thing you can do to treat the condition is to maintain the highest levels of hygiene with regards to yourself and your home. Since threadworm eggs can live outside the body – in the bed, on your clothes and in the dust – it is imperative to keep the environment as clean as possible to prevent a re-infection. Experts suggest that you clear the eggs from your home by:
- Washing all beddings, linen and clothes in hot water
- Vacuuming and dusting your home especially the bedrooms and children’s play areas
- Cleaning the bathrooms well and throwing out the cloth after use
You can also help cure threadworms by:
- Wearing underwear that is close fitting and does not allow you to scratch in your sleep
- Wearing cotton gloves at night if the itching is too bad
- Bathing first thing in the morning
- Changing your underwear regularly
- Washing well after using the toilet
- Avoiding nail biting
- Not sharing clothes, towels and utensils
If you or anyone in your home has threadworms, it is extremely important to get the entire household treated. Irrespective of whether symptoms are evident or not, people can still pass the eggs of the worms to one another and spread the infection.
answered by G R