Politics
TikToker discovers WORMS on his fingers after ‘scratching itchy bum’ in grim footage
AN itchy bum can be down to a whole host of things, but one TikToker got a little more than they bargained for after satisfying the itch.
After scratching their bottom the social media user posted a clip of little white worms all over their finger tips.
GettyThe NHS says you can spot pinworms in your poo and that if your child has them, they might be visible around the anus[/caption]
TikTok/@dr.karanrDr Karan Rajan answered one users questions about what the little white things were on their finger tips[/caption]
tiktokOne TikToker asked for help after they itched their bum and discovered the pinworms[/caption]
Pinworms or thread worms are tiny worms that can infect your gut and are most common in children.
NHS doctor, Dr Karan Rajan said the condition is one reason why you should never ‘scratch your bare bum crack and another reason why you should never bite your nails’.
In the original post, the TikToker asked for help after the little worms had come out of their bottom, they also complained that they were itching.
Dr Rajan explained: “If infected, these creatures live in your intestine during the day and come out to play at night.
“Pinworms can lay eggs around your pipe making you feel itchy and this tempts you to scratch the itch.
“The eggs can get stuck on your fingers or under your fingernails and then pass onto anything you touch, including other people.”
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He went on to explain how the worms can be diagnosed by a professional.
“Sometimes transparent tape is applied to the bum hole of the person you suspect has pinworms.
“The tape can then be analysed under a microscope to confirm diagnosis.”
In the comments sections, he urged his followers to not ‘scratch and sniff’.
Some TikTokers also highlighted that the person’s nails had been unclean – but Dr Rajan highlighted that it could be transmitted by other people.
SPOT THE SIGNS
An itchy bum could be down to a whole host of issues such as piles, diarrhoea, STIs or skin conditions.
The NHS says you can spot pinworms in your poo and that if your child has them, they might be visible around the anus.
The most common signs include an itchy bum and waking in the night, however the NHS says other signs such as weight loss, wetting the bed and irritated skin around the anus can be an indicator of pinworms.
Pinworms are spread when their eggs are swallowed and they can be passed on through anything you touch including toys, clothes, toothbrushes, food and even pets.
Eggs can pass to people when they touch an object or surface and then their mouth.
The eggs can take around two weeks to hatch.
What NOT to do if you have pinworms
While there are lots of things you can do to hep get rid of pinworms, the NHS states that there are things you should also avoid.
do not shake clothing or bedding, to prevent eggs landing on other surfaces
do not share towels or flannels
do not bite your nails or suck your fingers and thumbs
Pharmacists can help with pinworms and if one person has the condition it’s best that everyone in the household is treated.
A medicine called mebendazole will be given over the counter and it’s usually a chewable tablet or a liquid you swallow.
While the medicine will kill the worms, it will not get rid of the eggs so there are additional measures you must take to get rid of them.
You should make sure you wash your hands and use a nail brush to remove dirt from under the nails.
The NHS says you should do this particularly before eating, using the toilet and changes nappies.
You should also bathe or shower every day and rinse toothbrushes before using them.
Keeping your finger nails short, washing your sleepwear and towels at a hot temperature and vacuuming or dusting with a damp cloth is also beneficial.
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