- Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are tiny worms that can infect your large intestine.
- They’re common in children and spread easily.
- The worms are white and look like small pieces of thread.
Threadworms spread when their eggs are swallowed. They lay eggs around your anus, which make it itchy. The eggs get stuck on fingers when you scratch which can pass onto anything you touch including:
- clothes
- toys
- toothbrushes
- kitchen or bathroom surfaces
- bedding
- food
- pets
Eggs can then pass to others when they touch these surfaces and touch their mouth. They take around 2 weeks to hatch.
Children can get worms again after they've been treated if they get the eggs in their mouth so it is really important to encourage your little ones to wash their hands regularly.
Back to topYou can spot worms in your poo. They look like pieces of white thread.
You might also see them around your child’s bottom (anus). The worms usually come out at night while your child is sleeping.
Other symptoms can include:
- Extreme itching around the anus or vagina, particularly at night
- Irritability and waking up during the night
Less common signs of worms include:
- Weight loss
- Wetting the bed
- Irritated skin around the anus
Speak to your pharmacist about treatment if you suspect you or your child may have threadworms.
See your GP if:
- You think you have threadworms and you're pregnant or breastfeeding
- Your child has threadworms and they're under 2 years old
Do
- Wash hands and scrub under fingernails – particularly before eating, after using the toilet or changing nappies
- Encourage children to wash hands regularly
- Bathe or shower every morning
- Rinse toothbrushes before using them
- Keep fingernails short
- Wash sleepwear, sheets, towels and soft toys (at normal temperature)
- Disinfect kitchen and bathroom surfaces
- Vacuum and dust with a damp cloth
- Make sure children wear underwear at night – change it in the morning
Don't
- Do not shake clothing or bedding, to prevent eggs landing on other surfaces
- Do not share towels or flannels
- Do not bite nails or suck thumbs and fingers
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| Product | Ovex Suspension | Ovex Tablets |
| Uses | For the treatment of threadworms | For the treatment of threadworms |
| Format | Liquid | Tablet |
| Dosage | Adults and children over 2 years: 1 x 5 ml (1 dosing cup). | One tablet, chewed or swallowed whole, or crushed for a young child |
| Should anyone else treat? | It is suggested that every member of the household take it. The risk of transmission between household members is high which means that everyone in the household is likely to be infected, even if they don't have any symptoms. (8) |
It is suggested that every member of the household take it. The risk of transmission between household members is high which means that everyone in the household is likely to be infected, even if they don't have any symptoms. (8) |
| Age | 2+ years | 2+ years |
| Product Size | 30ml bottle | 1 tablet pack or 4 tablet family pack |
| Flavour | Banana | Orange |
| Essential Information | Ovex™ Suspension contain mebendazole. For treatment of threadworm infections of the gut. Ask your pharmacist. Always read the label. | Ovex™ tablets contain mebendazole. For treatment of threadworm infections of the gut. Ask your pharmacist. Always read the label. Ovex™ Family Pack tablets contain mebendazole. For treatment of threadworm infections of the gut. Ask your pharmacist. Always read the label. |
Q. Does my child need to stay off school/ does my family need to miss work?
A. You do not need to stay off school, nursery or work with threadworms. (6)
Q. My child has worms, could I have it too?
A. It is suggested that every member of the household take it as the risk of transmission between household members is high which means that everyone in the household is likely to be infected, even if they don't have any symptoms. (8)
Q. My Child is always squeaky clean! How could they have caught worms?
A. Worms are common in children and spread easily because of children’s tendency to come into frequent physical contact with others, whether they're engaging in team sport, going camping with friends or playing 'tag' with their brothers and sisters.
Q. Does it contain Nuts / Tree Nuts?*
A. No, there are no nuts in either the Ovex Tablets or Ovex Suspension.
Q. Does Ovex contain any gluten?*
A. No the Ovex Tablets and Ovex Suspension are gluten free.
Q. Is Ovex OK to take with an egg allergy?*
A. Yes you can take Ovex Tablets and Ovex Suspension with an egg allergy
Q. Is Ovex sugar free?*
A. No Ovex is not sugar free
Q. Is Ovex suitable for vegetarians?*
A. Yes the Ovex Tablets and Ovex Suspension is suitable for vegetarians
Q. Is Ovex available in other flavours than banana?
A. Ovex is available in orange flavour in a tablet format and banana flavour in a suspension format
Q. My 4 year- old child doesn’t like tablets, do you sell a liquid format?
A. Yes, try Ovex Suspension in banana flavour. It is the only liquid format for effective treatment for threadworm in the UK.
Q. I have taken Ovex at a time when I didn't know that I was pregnant, what should I do?
A. Ovex is contra-indicated in pregnancy. Please speak to your doctor.
Q. Can I take Ovex if I am breast feeding?
A. Limited data from case reports demonstrate that a small amount of mebendazole is present in human milk following oral administration. Therefore, caution should be exercised so please speak to a doctor.
Essential Information
*Products are not tested for the presence of food allergens, however, where possible, ingredients that may cause allergic reactions have been identified. There is always a risk of cross-contamination or a change in the formulation of the raw material supplier. Please be aware of this risk if you have food allergies. We cannot guarantee that ingredients have not come in contact with possible food allergens.
Ovex™ tablets contain mebendazole. For treatment of threadworm infections of the gut. Ask your pharmacist. Always read the label.
Ovex™ Family Pack tablets contain mebendazole. For treatment of threadworm infections of the gut. Ask your pharmacist. Always read the label.
Ovex™ Suspension contain mebendazole. For treatment of threadworm infections of the gut. Ask your pharmacist. Always read the label.
Back to top- NHS Inform. Threadworms, About Threadworms. Available at https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/threadworms. (Accessed. 21.04.2020)
- NHS. Threadworms can spread easily, Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/. (Accessed. 05.05.2020)
- NHS. Threadworms. How do Threadworms Spread. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/. (Accessed 21.04.2020)
- NHS. Threadworms. Check if it’s threadworms. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/. (Accessed 21.04.20)
- NHS Inform, Threadworms, Symptoms of Threadworms. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/. (Accessed 21.04.20)
- NHS. Threadworms. Do’s & Don’ts. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/. (Accessed 21.04.20)
- NHS. Threadworms. Important. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/. (Accessed 21.04.20)
- NHS, Treat the Household, Threadworms, NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/. (Accessed 28.05.20)
Ovex™ tablets contain mebendazole. For treatment of threadworm infections of the gut. Ask your pharmacist. Always read the label.
Ovex™ Family Pack tablets contain mebendazole. For treatment of threadworm infections of the gut. Ask your pharmacist. Always read the label.
Ovex™ Suspension contain mebendazole. For treatment of threadworm infections of the gut. Ask your pharmacist. Always read the label.
UK-OV-2000005