Threadworm
Published content is for information purposes and is intended for healthcare professionals.
TLDR
Threadworms are small worms living in the human gut, often causing itching and disrupting sleep. Diagnosis is typically through symptoms or use of a sticky tape technique to collect eggs. To prevent re-infection, good hygiene is crucial.
Mebendazole effectively treats threadworms, with a possibility of needing a second dose after two weeks. The entire household should be treated to avoid further infestations. Shaking items should be avoided as it can spread eggs. Visible worms and symptoms reduce after treatment, while thorough cleaning aids in removing residual eggs on skin.
Mebendazole effectively treats threadworms, with a possibility of needing a second dose after two weeks. The entire household should be treated to avoid further infestations. Shaking items should be avoided as it can spread eggs. Visible worms and symptoms reduce after treatment, while thorough cleaning aids in removing residual eggs on skin.
What is Threadworm?
Threadworm, or pinworm, is a tiny parasite living in human intestines. It's contracted by swallowing microscopic eggs present on items we touch.
These eggs survive up to 2 weeks and can't be seen without magnification. Key symptoms are severe nighttime anal itching and visible worms in stools or near the anus.
These eggs survive up to 2 weeks and can't be seen without magnification. Key symptoms are severe nighttime anal itching and visible worms in stools or near the anus.
Key points
Thread like worms that infest the human gut with eggs surviving for up to 2 weeks.
What are the complications?
Complications of threadworm can include sleep disruption and bedwetting due to itching, weight loss, along with skin irritation and infection near the anus.
Rarely, worms may affect female genital area and urinary tract. Without proper treatment, the infection can last 2 months and often recurs.
Rarely, worms may affect female genital area and urinary tract. Without proper treatment, the infection can last 2 months and often recurs.
Key points
Thread like worms that infest the human gut with eggs surviving for up to 2 weeks.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose threadworm infection, a doctor may ask about symptoms and look for signs of scratching and infection around the anus.
They may also use a sticky tape to collect eggs from the skin around the anus. Stool tests are generally not recommended.
To avoid misdiagnosis, it’s important to consider other possible causes of itching around the anus, such as skin conditions and other infections. Good hygiene and cleaning practices are crucial to prevent re-infection.
They may also use a sticky tape to collect eggs from the skin around the anus. Stool tests are generally not recommended.
To avoid misdiagnosis, it’s important to consider other possible causes of itching around the anus, such as skin conditions and other infections. Good hygiene and cleaning practices are crucial to prevent re-infection.
Key points
Symptoms and physical signs aid threadworm diagnosis. Sticky tape method can be used to collect eggs, however stool tests are discouraged. Effective hygiene can prevent threadworm re-infection.
How is it managed?
Threadworm infection can be treated with a single dose of medication called mebendazole.
Mebendazole works by killing the worms in the gut, but it doesn't affect unhatched eggs. A second dose after two weeks maybe needed to kill any new worms that hatched from any leftover eggs.
Threadworm eggs can easily spread to other family members via direct contact, shared items, or household surfaces. Treating everyone in the household at the same time prevents reinfection.
Mebendazole works by killing the worms in the gut, but it doesn't affect unhatched eggs. A second dose after two weeks maybe needed to kill any new worms that hatched from any leftover eggs.
Threadworm eggs can easily spread to other family members via direct contact, shared items, or household surfaces. Treating everyone in the household at the same time prevents reinfection.
Key points
Mebendazole treats threadworms in one dose and a second dose after two weeks may be needed. Treating the entire household prevents re-infection.
Patient counselling
Patients should be advised to wash their hands thoroughly, keep their fingernails short, and shower each morning to remove eggs from the skin.
It’s also important to wash and change bed linen and nightwear daily for several days after treatment. Patients can expect a reduction in symptoms such as itching and restlessness, and a decrease in the presence of threadworms in the stools or around the anus.
Patients should avoid shaking out items, as this can spread the eggs around the room. Thorough cleaning, vacuuming, and washing in hot water can help get rid of the eggs and prevent re-infection.
It’s also important to wash and change bed linen and nightwear daily for several days after treatment. Patients can expect a reduction in symptoms such as itching and restlessness, and a decrease in the presence of threadworms in the stools or around the anus.
Patients should avoid shaking out items, as this can spread the eggs around the room. Thorough cleaning, vacuuming, and washing in hot water can help get rid of the eggs and prevent re-infection.
Key points
Avoid shaking out items as this can spread the eggs. Maintaining good hygiene practices helps to remove eggs from the skin. Treatment reduces symptoms and visible worms.
References
1. NICE. (n.d.). Scenario: Management of Threadworm. [online] Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/threadworm/management/management/ [Accessed 20 Jan. 2024].
2. NICE. (n.d.). Threadworm: Mebendazole. [online] Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/threadworm/prescribing-information/mebendazole/ [Accessed 20 Jan. 2024].
3. Rawla, P. and Sharma, S. (2019). Enterobius Vermicularis (Pinworm). [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536974/.
4. Wendt, S., Trawinski, H., Schubert, S., Rodloff, A.C., Mössner, J. and Lübbert, C. (2019). The diagnosis and treatment of pinworm infection. Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online, 116(13). doi:https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2019.0213.
2. NICE. (n.d.). Threadworm: Mebendazole. [online] Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/threadworm/prescribing-information/mebendazole/ [Accessed 20 Jan. 2024].
3. Rawla, P. and Sharma, S. (2019). Enterobius Vermicularis (Pinworm). [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536974/.
4. Wendt, S., Trawinski, H., Schubert, S., Rodloff, A.C., Mössner, J. and Lübbert, C. (2019). The diagnosis and treatment of pinworm infection. Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online, 116(13). doi:https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2019.0213.