If you’re about to tuck into breakfast, it might be worth… finishing it first.
What are the little critters?
Threadworms, also called pinworms, are tiny, thin, white worms that live in the intestine. Although people of any age can get them, children are the most susceptible.
Pinworms are found worldwide and affect all socioeconomic groups.
How are they spread?
People get pinworms by swallowing worm eggs.
Although pinworms live in the intestines, the female worm travels to the rectum and then to the anus to lay eggs on the perianal skin at night.
Pinworms are transmitted by direct transfer of infected eggs by hand from the anus to the mouth of the same or another person. They can also be transmitted indirectly through bedding, towels, clothing and food.
It’s important to note that humans are the only reservoir (so we can’t blame this one on the family dog).
What purpose do they serve?
It’s always important to acknowledge evidence that challenges common narratives. Humans and parasites have long coexisted.
Not specific to pinworms, but speaking more broadly about parasites, there are some schools of thought suggesting a link between toxic burden and infection. Parasites may be more likely to infect hosts with elevated heavy metals, bioaccumulating these metals themselves and potentially reducing the tissue levels in the host.
Along a similar line of thinking—and again, not specific to pinworms—there is some early evidence that worms may play a role in ‘rebalancing’ the immune system, particularly in conditions such as autoimmune disease and inflammatory disorders.
In our increasingly ‘clean’ world, could they play a role in helping to train the immune system? More research is needed regarding worms, their role, and their impact on our health.
That said, I support treatment and would never advocate leaving someone symptomatic. However, this perspective can help us take a more mindful and holistic approach when creating a treatment plan, and consider whether there may be underlying factors contributing to a worm’s presence in the first place.
Signs and symptoms
- The most common symptom of worms is an itchy bottom (especially at night, during the egg-laying process).
- In females, worms can move into the vagina, causing itching and discharge.
- Worms may be visible in a person’s stool, and eggs may be detected using the ‘sticky tape test’ first thing in the morning.
- Some children may feel ‘out of sorts’ and/or show behavioural changes.
- Reduced appetite may occur, leading to decreased food intake.
- Many people are asymptomatic (show no signs or symptoms despite infection).
Treatment options
When it comes to treatment, you may choose either a pharmaceutical or herbal approach. Whichever route you take, it’s important to remember two key things:
- It is generally recommended to treat the whole family due to the ease of transmission.
- A single dose is usually not effective, as the pinworm life cycle is 2–6 weeks.
For pharmaceutical treatment, this may involve multiple doses over that time. For herbal approaches, longer-term treatment is often required. It’s best to speak with your local pharmacist or naturopath/herbalist to determine the most appropriate option for your family.
Active treatment should be just the first step. To help prevent chronic infection, it should be combined with two additional strategies: improving gut health and maintaining good hygiene practices.
Simply continuing treatment without addressing these other factors may be ineffective long-term and entirely misses the opportunity to optimise overall gastrointestinal function.
Supporting gut health (the key)
If the gut is harbouring a parasite burden, it may indicate that the body’s natural defence mechanisms are not functioning optimally.
Ways to support and improve the gut environment include:
- Eating mindfully in a relaxed ‘rest and digest’ state (e.g. sitting down, eating with family and without distraction, chewing thoroughly)
- Increasing intake of foods that support the gut microbiome, such as herbs, spices, garlic, leeks, onions, seeds, and a wide variety of vegetables
- Reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods
- Targeted nutrigenomic supplements (nutrients that influence gene expression) to support gut health and the underlying immune network
Hygiene and preventing recurrence
- Wash hands regularly, especially first thing in the morning and before meals (using soap and water rather than hand sanitiser)
- Wash clothes, pyjamas, sheets and pillowcases in hot water, and dry in the sun where possible (finishing in the dryer is also helpful)
- Avoid shaking sheets when removing them from the bed, as this can spread eggs
- Change underwear morning and night
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and toys regularly with hot water and soap (including toilet flush buttons, taps door handles etc)
- Keep fingernails short and address nail-biting if needed
- Shower first thing in the morning to wash away eggs laid overnight
While maintaining good hygiene is important, it’s equally valuable to allow children to spend time outdoors and engage with the natural environment.
Supporting your child’s wellbeing
If you’re looking for personalised guidance and want to make this the year you focus on optimising your child’s gut and immune health, support is available.
[Photo by Gabrielle Wright on Unsplash]