Worms (helminths) are one of the problems faced by parents around the world. This is a really serious problem that needs to be addressed quickly. Worms are worms from the group of parasites. They parasitize the human body and disrupt the functioning of organs and systems. Children are more likely to have pinworms and roundworms.
If symptoms of helminthiasis occur, seek medical help immediately for effective therapy.
Causes of worm infection in children
Due to their natural mobility and curiosity, children often come into contact with their environment and everything that lives in it. The list of the most common causes of infection is impressive.
Contact with contaminated surfaces
The worms and their eggs can survive without food for up to two weeks.
The most common places a child can get infected with worms are:
- Soil in the playground or outdoors that contains worms or eggs;
- Contact with animals or their excrement infected with worms.
Consumption of food or water contaminated with worms
It is very important to wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating, as they contain eggs from worms.
Raw or not fully cooked food also carries the risk of worm infestation. Contaminated water is a very common source of contamination.
Contact way
Worms are transmitted from humans to humans. Pinworms normally spread this way, so there is a very high risk of helminth infection in children's groups.
Insect bites
Mosquitoes are often the carriers of the infection.
The presence of worms in the mother
It is possible to infect a child during pregnancy if the infection occurs in the womb. The larvae of helminths enter the bloodstream of the fetus via the placenta or through the birth canal during childbirth. The eggs of parasites get to the child from the surface of the nipple, toys and other objects.
Worm infestation is more common in children than adults. Worms in children under one year old are not as common as they are in children 1, 5 - 3 years old, who are actively exploring the world, trying different objects and getting infected much more often.
Helminthiases are dangerous at any age. Worms in a one-year-old child are a special case, since the baby's body is not yet mature, the immune system is weakened, and the presence of worms in children can often cause acute respiratory diseases, susceptibility to allergies and diseases of the internal organs.
The presence of worms in babies is a major health problem as the worms feed on the substances necessary for the baby to grow and fully develop.
Symptoms of worms in children
Signs of worms in children depend on the habitat and activity of the worms in the child's body. The most common worms - baby roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms - live in the intestines, but some specific parasites can migrate from organ to organ. For example, roundworms get into the stomach first and from there travel with blood to the lungs or liver. There they grow for three weeks and then get back into the intestines or stomach.
Pinworms often colonize the anus and cause severe itching. In girls, they can be found in the genitals and cause vulvovaginitis.
Opisthorchis parasites often live in the liver and pancreas. Echinococcus can attack muscles and bones, chains even penetrate the brain. Some types of helminths are also found in the respiratory system and cause a persistent cough.
How can you understand that a child has worms?
Depending on the location of the worms in children, the following signs of the presence of worms in the child may appear:
- Constipation.Large worms can block the intestinal lumen, resulting in impaired stool flow. Constipation can last longer than 2 days.
- Diarrhea.Some parasites secrete a special substance that stimulates the body to excrete undigested food residues and large amounts of water.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.Helminths can cause inflammation in the intestines. This leads to nutrient malabsorption and irregular bowel movements.
- Flatulence.Some types of helminths trigger fermentation processes in the small intestine, this leads to excessive gas formation. If you don't get rid of the worms in a timely manner, gas can last for months.
- Pain in joints, muscles.It happens when parasites enter a joint or the thickness of muscle tissue and destroy it.
- Allergy.The waste products of worms 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 occur. Sometimes an infection with worms makes hair and nails more fragile.
- Anemia.Some types of worms can cling to the walls of the intestines and receive not only nutrients but also blood from them. Because of this, the child develops anemia, which is diagnosed with a clinical blood test.
- Change in body weight.As a rule, body weight decreases significantly from infection with worms, as the worms absorb more nutrients that enter the body with food. Helminth infection often causes loss of appetite as toxins enter the bloodstream. But often the child experiences an increase in body weight - this is a defensive reaction to the spread of worms.
- Nervous system disorders.The child has moody and irritable behavior. Against the background of helminthiasis, schoolchildren and adolescents can develop depression.
- Sleep disorders.If a child wakes up every night, it can 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.The child is constantly weak and tired quickly due to the lack of nutrients in the body. Memory problems develop, emotional stress and drowsiness develop.
- Immunity disorders.Often, due to helminthiasis, a child develops diseases of a viral genesis, an allergic reaction to ordinary foods occurs. Often in the intestine, dysbiosis, colitis develops, on the face - rashes, diathesis and herpes.
- Breathing problems.They occur when the larvae of worms attack the lungs. With worms, children develop a cough, and their body temperature rises. Bronchial asthma is an extremely dangerous complication of invading worms.
Numerous symptoms of worms in children make diagnosis much more difficult. Therefore, parents should think about the usual check-ups, including tests to detect pinworms and Ascaris.
Common types of worms in children
- PinwormsItching around the anus, causing painful urination.
- Ascaris.With ascariasis, diarrhea is observed, worms are visible in the child's stool with the naked eye. Fever and dry cough are noted within 4 to 16 days of contact with roundworm eggs.
- Ankylostoma.The child develops a cough, wheezing occurs. If the infection is severe, anemia and chronic fatigue develop.
- Tapeworms.They enter the body with contaminated food and water. Ingested worms migrate out of the baby's intestines and form cysts in the tissues and organs of the body.
How do you recognize worms in a child?
Abdominal pain, lethargy, and diarrhea can be symptoms of other illnesses. To make sure these are signs of helminthiasis, children need to have some tests for worms:
1. Blood test for worms in children.
An enzyme immunoassay for worms will be prescribed. As a result of the study, special antibodies and antigens are identified that indicate the presence of worms in the body. This analysis shows the type of worms present, their number and ability to reproduce.
To diagnose worms, a general blood test is done that can help identify any signs of anemia or inflammation in the body.
2. The exact result is achieved with a histological coprogram
It consists in examining the feces under a microscope. Thanks to this study, it is possible to clearly identify the parts of the worm's body, its eggs. As a result, helminthiasis is diagnosed, as well as the type of worms.
3. X-rays and other diagnostic measures
If the presence of worms in the lungs is suspected, an X-ray examination is prescribed. A sputum test is also carried out. Computed tomography or ultrasound is done to identify parasites in the liver, brain, or kidneys.
How to get rid of worms in children
To effectively treat worms in a child, consult a parasitologist and follow his recommendations.
Self-medication with anti-worm drugs for children is unacceptable as they are quite toxic. Also, keep in mind that invading different types of worms requires individual treatments structured according to the worm's life cycle. When calculating the dose, the specialist should take into account the age and body weight of the patient.
Your doctor may prescribe a worm medicine, 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 does not last longer than a few days. Sometimes one dose is enough to rid the crumbs of worms.
But many drugs are ineffective against worm larvae and eggs. In addition, there is a fairly great risk of repeated self-infection with pinworms in young children. Therefore, the treatment cycle should be repeated after 2-3 weeks.
If a child has worms, in parallel with etiotropic drugs, a specialist may recommend a choleretic if there is a suspicion that the worms live in the gallbladder. Laxatives are often prescribed to get rid of helminths quickly and sorbents to help absorb toxins. Antihistamines can reduce the manifestation of allergies and improve the health of the little patient.
Treatment of helminthiasis in infants is very difficult. Almost all drugs for worms are not used in children under two years old because they are very toxic and have many side effects. The harm to the body from the consumption of such drugs can be significant even with the slightest overdose. Therefore, self-treatment of helminthiasis in children of the year is absolutely not allowed.
Any suspicion of worms in an infant, it is necessary to contact a specialist who will determine the degree of infection and develop a treatment regimen that is effective in this case. In some situations, the doctor may even suggest postponing treatment for a short time so that the child can grow up.
Do not rely on over-the-counter medications as they may not be suitable for toddlers and young children. Always see your doctor and follow the dosage and treatment regimen to keep your child free from worms. It is recommended to use anti-worm tablets for children every six months for prophylaxis. Talk to your doctor about what to give your baby to prevent worms. The specialist determines the dosage and frequency of preventive deworming.
Folk remedies for worms for children
Along with drugs, treatment of worms in children with folk remedies will help relieve the discomfort caused by worms in the body. Natural worms cure won't necessarily get rid of worms in your child, but it will help treat and prevent infections.
Consider folk remedies:
- garlicis a natural anthelmintic for children. It is known to be effective against parasitic worms. Raw garlic contains amino acids and sulfur that help kill parasites and rid the body. Eating three raw garlic cloves on an empty stomach helps with complex deworming.
- papaya- the best cure for health. Unripe papaya has an enzyme called papain that acts as an anthelmintic to kill worms in the intestines. In addition, papaya seeds are used to drive worms out of the stomach. Grind papaya seeds and stir one tablespoon of the mixture into warm milk or water. Ask your child to drink the drink in the morning for three days in a row. Combine a tablespoon of raw papaya and a tablespoon of honey in warm milk or water. Drinking this drink on an empty stomach will help expel intestinal worms.
- pumpkin seedhelp to drive out intestinal parasites. The seeds contain cucurbitacin, which paralyzes pests and makes it difficult for them to survive in the body. Offer your child a spoonful of pumpkin seeds with honey. Boil a spoonful of peeled and mashed pumpkin seeds in three glasses of water. Let the drink rest for half an hour. Offer to the child when the liquid has cooled.
- Chinese bitter gourd.Although it has a slightly sour taste, it is very effective in combating intestinal worms. Mix a cup of bitter gourd juice with water and honey and feed your child twice a day.
- carrotcontains vitamin A, which boosts immunity and allows the body to fight intestinal worms before they have fully colonized the body. Eating carrots on an empty stomach helps neutralize stubborn parasites in the body and prevent re-infection.
- turmericis a natural antiseptic and helps eliminate all types of intestinal worms. You need a glass of warm water mixed with a spoon of turmeric, give the child from worms once a day for five days.
- coconuthas strong anti-parasitic properties, so it is effective in treating worms. You can use fruits or oil to kill worms. Have your child eat 1 tablespoon of ground coconut for breakfast each day. Use this home remedy for a week. Concentrated coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides that help remove worms from your baby's body. Consuming four to six teaspoons of coconut oil every morning for a week will help boost immunity and prevent worm infestations from recurring.
- clovedestroys existing intestinal worms and their eggs and also prevents future infections. Put a teaspoon of cloves in a glass of hot water and let rest for 20 minutes. Drink this water three times a week to avoid contamination.
- Onion juicehelps in the fight against roundworms. Take the onion and chop it well, drain the juice from the onion mixture. Consume it in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Indian lilachas anti-parasitic properties and can destroy various intestinal worms. Combine the powdered leaves in warm milk and honey. Offer to your child twice a week.
Traditional home remedies can help relieve the infection, but they cannot cure it completely. 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 become infected with worms. Although worming can get rid of worms, it is best to prevent infection as much as possible.
Hygiene is crucial here. Teach your children basic hygiene habits and explain how worms get into their bodies and make them sick.
Prevention of worms includes the following measures:
- Do not give children raw water from springs or wells. This water must be filtered and boiled before use.
- After contact with the ground, hands should be washed thoroughly with soap.
- It is also worth washing vegetables, herbs, fruits and berries that the child and other family members eat.
- Thorough heat treatment of meat, fish and poultry is important.
- Do not offer your child dried, salted, or raw foods that have not been cooked.
- It is necessary to take a shower 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 well after every contact with animals.
These precautions do not rule out the possibility of helminth infection, but they do minimize it.