Ovex treats threadworms in family households. Threadworms are a common type of parasitic worm that can be spotted in the stools of young children. Other signs of threadworms include:

• Excessive itchiness around the anus or vagina, especially at night
• Irritability and waking up in the night

In rare cases, threadworms can also cause:

• Weight loss
• Bed-wetting
• Irritated skin around the anus

While it’s more common for children to get threadworms, they’re contagious and can be spread across an entire family if they’re not treated. Threadworms lay eggs around the anus, which causes itching. The eggs then get stuck on your fingers after scratching, and can be passed on to anything you touch, including food. The eggs then hatch when swallowed, allowing the threadworms to spread further.

In most instances, threadworms will die within a few days of taking Ovex. It’s important to remember, however, that while the threadworms in your body will die, eggs that have already passed to surfaces in the household won’t. In fact, threadworm eggs can survive for as long as two weeks outside the human body. That’s why, after taking the treatment, it’s crucial to:

• Wash your hands and scrub under your fingernails
• Ensure your children wash their hands regularly
• Have a shower or bath every day
• Rinse toothbrushes before you use them
• Trim fingernails short
• Wash your pyjamas, bed sheets, towels and any soft toys your children own
• Clean your kitchen and bathroom surfaces with disinfectant
• Vacuum and dust regularly
• Make your children wear underwear at night and change it in the morning

Ovex may cause side effects in some people, though these are usually mild. They include:

• Stomach pain
• Bloating and wind
• Diarrhoea

In rare cases, Ovex may cause serious side effects. Call a doctor immediately if you experience:

• Blisters on your skin, mouth, eyes or genitals
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes

Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.