Threadworms

Incredibly common, nearly half of all children under 10 have threadworms at some time, and they aren't usually harmful. The main symptoms are intense itching around the bottom area and tiny thread-like worms that may be seen in the nappies, potty or on toilet paper after your child has done a poo.

Threadworms are tiny, white, thread-like worms that live in the bowels and are caught by accidentally swallowing the eggs, after picking them up on the hands or fingers. Once they have matured in the bowels, female worms mate with the male worms (which then die) and come out to lay eggs around the anus, usually when the person is asleep at night. This is what causes the intense itching associated with threadworms and it helps the eggs become caught under the fingernails and transfer back to the mouth without the person even realising it, repeating the whole infection cycle.

What you can do

See your GP who will prescribe medicine suitable for your child's age - usually tablets or a powdered drink - to kill the worms so they can be expelled with bowel movements.

Your doctor will probably advise you to repeat the treatment after two weeks to make sure all the worms have been dealt with and suggest treating the whole family (except anyone who's pregnant).

Scrub carefully under the affected child's fingernails first thing in the morning and, if nappy trained, put her to bed in cotton pants to prevent scratching at night. To prevent threadworms being passed on, encourage all members of your family to wash their hands after going to the toilet, before preparing food and before eating.