Worms (helminths) are one of the problems faced by parents around the world. This is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed quickly. Worms are worms from the group of parasites. They parasitize the human body and interfere with the function of organs and systems. More often children have cream worms and ringworms.
When symptoms of helminthiasis appear, immediately seek medical advice for effective therapy.
Causes of worm infections in children
Due to their natural movements and curiosity, children are often in contact with the world around them and all that inhabits it. The list of common causes of infection is quite impressive.
Contact with contaminated surfaces
The worms and their eggs can survive up to two weeks without food.
The most common places where children can be infected with worms are:
- soil in a playground or outdoors that contains worms or eggs;
- in contact with an animal or in contact with its feces, is infected with worms.
Consume food or water contaminated with worms
It is very important to wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating, as they contain worm eggs.
Raw or undercooked foods also carry a risk of worm attacks. Contaminated water is a very common source of pollution.
How to contact
Worms are transmitted to humans rather than humans. Pin worms usually spread this way, so there is a very high risk of helminth infection in this group of children.
Insect bite
Mosquitoes are often carriers of infection.
The presence of worms in the mother
It is possible to infect a child even during pregnancy, when the infection occurs in the uterus. The larvae of helminths enter the bloodstream to the fetus through the placenta or during childbirth through the birth canal. Parasite eggs reach children from the surface of nipples, toys and other objects.
Worm attacks are more common in children than in adults. Worms in children under the age of one year are not as common as in children aged 1. 5-3 years, who are actively exploring the world, taste various objects and are infected more often.
Helminthiases are dangerous at any age. Worms in one-year-old children are a special case, as the baby’s body is immature, the immune system is weakened, and the presence of worms in children can cause frequent acute respiratory illnesses, a predisposition to allergies, and illness. of internal organs.
The presence of worms in infants is a major health problem, as worms consume substances necessary for the full growth and development of infants.
Symptoms of worms in children
The signs of worms in children depend on the habitat and activity of the worms in the child's body. The most common worms - tapeworms in infants, pinworms, tapeworms - live in the gut, but some specific parasites can move from organ to organ. For example, a roundworm first enters the stomach, and from it with blood enters the lungs or liver. There they grow for three weeks, then re -enter the intestines or stomach.
Pinworms often inhabit the anus, causing severe itching. In girls, they can be found in the genitals, causing vulvovaginitis.
The opisthorchis parasite often lives in the liver and pancreas. Echinococcus can affect muscles and bones, chains and even penetrate the brain. Also, some types of helminths are found in the respiratory organs, causing a persistent cough.
How to understand that children have worms?
Depending on the location of the worm in the child, the following signs of worm presence in the child may appear:
- constipation.Large worms can block the intestinal lumen, causing impaired stool flow. Constipation can last more than 2 days.
- Diarrhea.Some parasites secrete special substances that stimulate the body to excrete undigested food particles and large amounts of water.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Helminths can cause inflammation in the intestines. This causes malabsorption of nutrients and irregular bowel movements.
- Bloated stomach.Some types of helminths trigger the fermentation process in the small intestine, this leads to the formation of excess gas. If you don’t get rid of the worms in time, a bloated stomach can linger for months.
- Pain in joints, muscles.This occurs when parasites invade a joint or into the thickness of muscle tissue and destroy it.
- Allergies.Worm waste can activate special cells in the body that are responsible for the occurrence of allergic reactions.
- Worms can cause skin diseases.Acne, urticaria, papillomas and diathesis appear. Sometimes infection with worms leads to increased fragility of hair and nails.
- Anemia.Some types of worms can attach to the intestinal wall and receive from them not only nutrients, but also blood. Because of this, the child developed anemia, which was diagnosed with a clinical blood test.
- Weight change.As a rule, as a result of a worm infection, weight is reduced dramatically, because the worms absorb more nutrients that enter the body with food. Having a helminthic infection often results in loss of appetite due to the entry of toxins into the bloodstream. But often children experience weight gain - this is a defensive response to the spread of worms.
- Nervous system disorders.The child had a depressed and irritable behavior. Depression can develop in school children and adolescents against a background of helminthiasis.
- Sleep disturbances.When a child wakes up every night, this may indicate an infection process. At night, some types of worms leave the body through the anus, which is accompanied by severe itching, which prevents the baby from sleeping.
- Jaundice.More common with tapeworm infections.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.Children are always weak and tired quickly due to lack of nutrients in the body. Memory problems develop, emotional stress and drowsiness develop.
- Immune disorders. Due to helminthiasis, children often suffer from viral genesis disease, allergic reactions to common foods appear. In the intestine, dysbiosis, colitis often develop, on the face - rash, diathesis and herpes.
- Breathing problems.It occurs when worm larvae invade the lungs. With worms, children experience a cough and their body temperature rises. Bronchial asthma is a very dangerous complication of worm invasion.
Many worm symptoms in children significantly complicate the diagnosis. Therefore, parents should remember about regular preventive checkups, including tests to determine the presence of pinworms and ascaris.
Common types of worms in children
- cream wormscauses itching around the anus, pain in urination.
- Ascaris.With ascariasis, diarrhea is observed, worms appear in the feces of children with the naked eye. Fever and tuberculosis are detected within 4 to 16 days after contact with ringworm eggs.
- Ankylostoma.Children have a cough, wheezing appears. If the infection is severe, anemia and chronic fatigue develop.
- tape worm.They enter the body with contaminated food and water. The swallowed worms move out of the baby's intestines, forming cysts in the tissues and organs of the body.
How to identify worms in children?
Abdominal pain, lethargy, and diarrhea can be symptoms of other illnesses. To make sure that they are signs of helminthiasis, it is necessary to do some tests for worms in children:
1. Blood tests for worms in children.
Enzyme immunoassay for worms was prescribed. The results of the study, special antibodies and antigens were identified, indicating the presence of worms in the body. This analysis will show the types of worms present, their number, and their ability to reproduce.
To diagnose worms, a general blood test is performed, which allows you to identify anemia or signs of inflammation in the body.
2. Accurate results are achieved using histological coprograms
It consists of a microscopic examination of feces. Thanks to this study, it is possible to clearly identify the body parts of worms, their eggs. As a result, helminthiasis is diagnosed, as well as the type of worm.
3. X-rays and other diagnostic measures
When there is a suspicion of the presence of worms in the lungs, X-ray examination is prescribed. In addition, a sputum test is performed. Computed tomography or ultrasound is performed to identify parasites in the liver, brain, or kidneys.
How to Get Rid of Worms in Children?
To treat worms in children effectively, contact a parasite specialist and follow his recommendations.
Self-medication with anti-worm medication for children is not acceptable because it is quite toxic. Also remember that attacking different types of worms requires individual treatment structured according to the life cycle of the worm. When calculating the dose, the specialist should take into account the age and weight of the patient.
Your doctor may prescribe a remedy for worms, which is available as a syrup for young children or as a tablet for older children.
Deworming tablets for children usually kill the worms without harming the owner, in this case the child. The duration of treatment is usually short and lasts no more than a few days. Sometimes one dose is enough to get rid of wormwood.
But many drugs are ineffective against worm larvae and eggs. In addition, there is a relatively large threat for recurrent self-infection with pinworms in young children. Therefore, after 2 - 3 weeks, the course of treatment should be repeated.
If a child has worms, in parallel with etiotropic medications, a specialist may recommend a choleretic medication if it is suspected that the worms live in the gallbladder. Laxatives are often prescribed to quickly remove helminths and sorbents to absorb toxins. Antihistamines can reduce the manifestations of allergies and improve the health of small patients.
Treatment of helminthiasis in infants is very difficult. Almost all medications for worms are not used for children under the age of two, as they are highly toxic and have many side effects. The damage to the body caused by the intake of such drugs can be significant even with a small overdose. Therefore, self-treatment of helminthiasis in children this year is not allowed at all.
With any suspicion of worms in the baby, it is necessary to contact a specialist who will determine the degree of infection and develop a treatment regimen that works in this case. In some cases, the doctor may suggest postponing treatment for a short time so that the child grows up.
Do not rely on over-the-counter medications as they may not be suitable for infants and young children. Always see your doctor and follow the dosage and treatment regimen to keep your child free of worms. It is recommended to use pills for worms for children every six months for prophylaxis. Talk to your doctor about what to give your baby for worm prevention, the specialist will determine the dose and frequency of preventive deworming.
Folk remedies for worms for children
Along with medications, treating worms in children with folk remedies will help reduce the discomfort caused by worms in the body. A natural remedy for worms does not necessarily get rid of the worms in your child, but it will help in treating and preventing the infection.
Consider folk remedies:
- garlicis a natural anthelmintic agent for children. It is known to be effective against parasitic worms. Raw garlic contains an amino acid, sulfur, which will help kill and get rid of parasites from the body. Eating three cloves of raw garlic on an empty stomach will help with complex deworming.
- papaya- the best cure for health. Unripe papaya has an enzyme called papain, which acts as an anthelmintic agent to kill worms in the gut. In addition, papaya seeds are used to remove worms from the stomach. Grind the papaya seeds and stir a tablespoon of the batter in warm milk or water. Ask your child to drink the drink in the morning, three days in a row. Combine one tablespoon of raw papaya and one tablespoon of honey in warm milk or water. Drinking this drink on an empty stomach helps repel intestinal worms.
- Pumpkin seedshelps in expelling intestinal parasites. The seeds contain cucurbitacin, which paralyzes pests and makes it difficult for them to live in the body. Offer your child a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds with honey. Boil one tablespoon of peeled and crushed pumpkin seeds in three glasses of water. Leave the drink for half an hour. Offer to children when the liquid has cooled.
- Peria Cina.Despite the slightly sour taste, it is very effective in combating intestinal worms. Mix a cup of bitter gourd juice with water and honey and give it to your child twice a day.
- carrotcontains vitamin A, which boosts immunity and allows the body to fight off any intestinal worms before they completely colonize the body. Eating carrots on an empty stomach will help neutralize persistent parasites in the body and also prevent re -infection.
- Turmericis a natural antiseptic and helps in the removal of all types of intestinal worms. You need a glass of warm water mixed with a tablespoon of turmeric, give the child from the worms once a day for five days.
- coconuthas strong antiparasitic properties, making it effective in treating worms. You can use fruit or oil to kill worms. Ask your child to eat one tablespoon of ground coconut every day with breakfast. Keep using this home remedy for a week. Concentrated coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides that will help get rid of worms from your baby’s body. Taking four to six teaspoons of coconut oil every morning for a week will boost immunity and prevent worm attacks from recurring.
- Carnationdestroys existing intestinal worms and their eggs and also prevents future infections. Put a teaspoon of cloves in a glass of hot water and leave for 20 minutes. Drink this water three times a week to avoid contamination.
- Onion juicehelps in the fight against ringworm. Take the onion and chop it well, drain the juice from the onion mixture. Take in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Indian purplehas antiparasitic properties and can destroy various intestinal worms. Combine the powdered leaves in warm milk and honey. Offer it to your child twice a week.
Traditional home remedies can help relieve the infection, but they cannot completely cure it. They are not a substitute for prescription drugs.
Prevention of worms in children
Children who play in mud, sand, grass and other open areas are more likely to be infected with worms. Although worms can be eliminated by deworming, it is best to prevent infection as much as possible.
Cleanliness is critical here. Teach your children basic hygiene habits and educate them about how worms get into their bodies and make them sick.
Worm prevention involves the following actions:
- Do not give raw water to children from springs or wells. This water must be filtered and boiled before use.
- After contact with the ground, hands should be washed with soap.
- It is also worth washing down vegetables, herbs, fruits and berries eaten by children and other family members.
- It is important to heat meat, fish and poultry thoroughly.
- Do not offer your child dry, salty or raw uncooked foods.
- It is necessary to bathe after swimming in the water. Do not allow pets to lick your child's hands or face as their tongues may contain worm eggs.
- Hands should be washed thoroughly after each contact with the animal.
This precaution does not exclude the possibility of infection with helminths, but it reduces it.