There’s some fabulous information on the web which can help people deal with a rather unsettling condition – ‘Worms’.

Let’s face it, you’ve either had a dose of worms or most likely will encounter these little nasties either as a course of interaction with pets, children or possibly from contaminated food.

Many types of worm can cause problems in humans, including threadworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms and hookworms.

Threadworms, sometimes called pinworms, are the only common worm infestation seen in Australia. They usually occur in children under 10 and live in the intestines of humans and up to 50% of children may be infected at some time. Signs of an infestation include an itchy bottom, disturbed sleep, irritability, tiredness and a lack of interest in eating.

The worms are white, about 8mm long, with a blunt head and a pointed tail. They can live for up to 6 weeks.

The female worm lays many tiny eggs around the anus. This usually happens at night while the person is asleep since the female worms only come out at night. While laying the eggs, the worm also produces a chemical that creates an itchiness and causes the person to scratch the area.

Eggs then stick under the fingernails and on fingertips and can be transferred to the mouth. They may then be swallowed and cause a re-infestation.

The swallowed eggs hatch in the intestine. After a couple of weeks, the worms reach adult size and begin to reproduce.

You cannot catch threadworms from animals with worms. The only way animals may be responsible for spreading human threadworms is by transporting them on their fur after human contact.

Treatment for threadworms is designed to get rid of the parasites and prevent re-infestation. To successfully treat threadworms, you can see your doctor or pharmacist who will be able to advise on medication for you or your child. It is commonly advised to treat the entire family at the same time to successfully get rid of the infection.

When taking medicine, you should also ensure you follow strict hygiene practices to prevent re-infestation.

The elimination process can take some time and may require additional treatment to ensure the adolescent worms are killed and any remaining eggs also dealt with.

Take a read on herbal medicines which may assist in the elimination of parasite infections.

Always speak to your health care professional if symptoms persist or worsen

Be safe and Stay Health

Ref: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/worms-in-humans