Question: How long does it take for threadworms to go away?
Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are a type of parasite that can infect humans of any age. Though the condition is most common among children, adults can also become infected if they come into contact with the parasite. The good news is that threadworms can typically be treated quite easily.
The most common type of treatment for threadworms is a single dose of medication, usually mebendazole or piperazine. It is important to note that the medication should not be taken if the patient is pregnant, breastfeeding, or under the age of two. After the medication is taken, the threadworms should begin to die within a few hours.
Once the medication has been taken, the patient should begin to feel relief from the itching and irritation associated with threadworms within a few days. However, the worms may still be present in the patient's stool for up to a few weeks. This is because the medication does not kill the eggs of the threadworms. Therefore, it is important for the patient to continue to practice good hygiene in order to prevent reinfection.
It is also important to note that the patient may experience an increase in itching and irritation due to the dying worms. This is perfectly normal, and the symptoms should subside within a few days.
To summarize, it typically takes a few hours for the medication to kill the threadworms, and a few days for the symptoms to subside. However, it may take a few weeks for the threadworms to completely go away, as the eggs of the threadworms may still be present in the patient's stool. It is important for the patient to practice good hygiene in order to prevent reinfection.