The life cycle of threadworms in children
The life cycle of threadworms in children
Threadworms live about 5-6 weeks in the gut, and then die. However, before they die the female worms lay tiny eggs around the anus (back passage). This tends to occur at night when you are warm and still in bed. The eggs are too small to see without a microscope, but cause itch around the anus. You then scratch around the anus to relieve the itch. You often do this without realising when you are asleep. When you scratch, eggs get onto fingers and under nails. You may then swallow some eggs if you put a finger into your mouth.
Also, threadworm eggs can survive for up to two weeks outside the body. They fall off the skin around the anus and can fall onto bedding, clothes, etc. They can then get 'wafted' in the air as you change clothes, bedding etc, and become part of the dust in a home. Some eggs may settle on food or toothbrushes. So, children may swallow some eggs at first by playing with other children who have eggs on their fingers, or from food, drink, toothbrushes, or dust that has been contaminated with threadworm eggs.
Any eggs that you swallow then hatch and grow into adult worms in the gut. So a 'cycle' of threadworm infection can go on and on.
Are threadworms harmful?
Not usually. Often, the worst thing about them is the itch and discomfort around the anus. This sometimes wakes children from sleep. Scratching may make the anus sore. Large numbers of threadworms may possibly cause mild abdominal (tummy) pains and make a child irritable. In girls, threadworms can wander forwards and lay their eggs in the vagina or urethra (the tube that passes urine). A doctor may check for threadworms in young girls with a vaginal discharge, bedwetting, or problems with passing urine. Rarely, threadworms can cause other problems.
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AMY, about 1 year
HELP ! I FIND LITTLE SQUIGGLY SEE THROUGH WORMS IN MY POO AND THEY ITCH WHEN I SLEEP I HAVE HAD THEM FOR A LONG TIME AND AM SCARED TO TELL MY MUM. I DONT KNOW WHY IM SCARED ITS JUST EMBARRESING I HAVE HAD NO VAGINAL PROBLEMS BUT IF I HOLD WITH WORMS FOR ANY LONGER I MIGHT, AND IT WOULD BE EVEN MORE EMBARRISING TO HAVE A DISCHARGE TEST! WHAT SHOULD I DO ? AMY..X
Report this commentjodie, about 1 year
i have thread worm, i don't no what to do, i have had it for a long time now, and i do not no how to tell anyone, i have problems with passing urine to and cuases me big discomfrot and hard to sleep
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elise, 8 months
i found a white thingy in my poo yesterday and i think its threadworms im scared?
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