Worm infestation is one of the most common childhood diseases. According to official statistics, more than 20 million people are affected by helminth infestations, 80% of whom are children. The symptoms of worms in the body are not always severe. Examine the main signs of helminth infection in children, treatment methods and preventive measures.
Types of helminths
There are more than 300 types of worms. All this can be divided into three groups:
- Nematodes (pinworms, roundworms, whips).
- Tapeworms (cattle tapeworm, pork tapeworm).
- Fluke worms (cat and Siberian pit).
Most of the time, children have worms that belong to the first group. Between them:
- Roundworms are long worms with pointed tips. The color can be different: from pink to yellow. Adults infect the small intestine. Roundworms reproduce at high speed - the female can lay up to 240, 000 eggs a day.
- Pinworms - belong to the round worms and small sizes. They are usually white or yellowish in color. Females lay eggs near the anus and perineum. Eggs become infectious after a few hours.
- Vlasoglavs are round worms with thin front limbs that can pierce the intestinal wall. At the same time, the worms are saturated with its blood and poison the other organs with their waste. The secretions are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported throughout the body.
Great! Sometimes parents do not even suspect that the worms have settled into their child's body. In the chronic stage, the disease may be asymptomatic.
Experienced doctors say that with a thorough examination, the worms can be found even in an externally healthy child.
How children are infected
It will be fundamentally wrong to think that worm infection occurs through inadequate child care. Cases of helminth infestation are not uncommon in the most affluent and well-groomed children. The main source of infection is dirty hands. An active child learns about the world around them and spends a lot of time outdoors, in the garden, on the playground and in the sandbox. These are parts of a significant accumulation of worm eggs. There are frequent cases of infection from animals that children love to play with.
Unwashed vegetables and fruits are another danger. Especially those fruits whose fruits come in contact with the soil, such as strawberries, should not be eaten unwashed.
Great! You should not think that peeled fruits (bananas, tangerines, oranges) will be completely safe. Before eating, they should be washed as well as other fruits.
You can become infected with worms by eating fresh cow's or goat's milk. If the animal has been kept in conditions that do not meet hygiene standards, it is not surprising that parasites have settled in its milk. Another cause of worms can be meat and fish that have not been cooked properly.
Infection cannot be avoided if the child has not developed hand hygiene habits before meals and after using the toilet. Bad habits of biting your nails, sucking your fingers, biting the tip of a pen or pencil are not at all harmless, as it seems at first glance, since a child's hands are not always clean enough. It is completely unacceptable for a child to pet or handle stray cats or dogs.
Common symptoms
All signs of worm infection can be divided into general and specific, which are characteristic of certain types of parasites. The presence of general intoxication in children can be judged by the general manifestations of worm lesions:
- stool disorders (constipation, diarrhea).
- frequent dizziness, nausea, bad breath.
- abrupt weight loss due to the fact that parasites absorb most of the nutrients from food.
- dermatological diseases (skin rash, papillomas, mood swings, brittle nails).
- nervous system disorders (mood swings, tears, poor sleep and chronic fatigue of the child).
- low hemoglobin levels;
- immune disorders, leading to common viral diseases.
- low resistance to respiratory diseases (sinusitis, nasal polyps, adenoids).
- allergic reactions.
Great! Regular prophylactic vaccination can be a sign of the presence of parasites. If accompanied by severe allergic reactions, it is necessary to visit a parasitologist!
Signs of a worm infestation
Caring parents want to know what worms look like in a child's stool. Usually pinworms in a pot or near a child's anus can only be seen in advanced cases. As a rule, it is rarely possible to see them with the naked eye. But a careful mother will always pay attention to the following symptoms:
- itching of the anus;
- abdominal pain, especially around the navel.
- salivation, nausea;
- anxiety of a child who often wakes up or is disturbed in his sleep.
- gnashing of teeth during sleep (there is no definitive medical evidence).
If a child itches in the anus, especially at night, it leads to parasites on the hands and later on the skin of the whole body. As a result, inflammatory skin diseases are possible. Anal hairstyle is also dangerous as it contributes to re-infection by pin worms when the child, without washing his hands, takes food, toys or pulls them in his mouth.
Young girls have an increased risk of worms entering the external genitalia, where females crawl from the anus. This infection is accompanied by urinary incontinence and heavy secretions from the genitals. Lack of proper treatment can lead to a significant delay in the development and physical development of the child.
Symptoms of damage to round and whips
Unlike worms that are common in temperate climates, roundworms prefer warm and humid air. Ascaris infection is suspected when a child, in the absence of respiratory disease, begins to suffer from a dry cough, which intensifies at night. This is due to the fact that the parasites move throughout the body. Other symptoms include a rash on the body, fever, pale skin and dark circles under the eyes. With a severe form of the disease, gallbladder inflammation, nervous disorders and seizures are possible.
Infection with lashes is usually hypotonic or asymptomatic, but bloody diarrhea, anemia, and delayed physical development may occur.
Diagnostics of helminthiasis
If a child is suspected of being infected, a series of tests and tests are necessary. Diagnostic methods will determine the type of parasite. The child must pass:
- fecal analysis for worm eggs - you should take it with a break of several days.
- analysis for dysbiosis - determines the difference between the E. coli index and the norm.
- a general blood test to determine the level of iron in the body.
- scratching for pin worms.
Great! A single test for the presence of helminths in the stool in many cases does not detect parasites in the child's body. Stool review is very important.
As worms and roundworms die quickly outside the human body, it is recommended that you perform a stool analysis for the presence of helminths as soon as possible after a bowel movement. Scratching for pin worms should be done at least once a year. It is mandatory when a child enters a kindergarten, school or hospital.
In order to eliminate the risk of parasites entering other internal organs, ultrasound, endoscopic examinations and computed tomography are performed.
Characteristics of the disease with worms in an infant
Usually, worm infection in children occurs after 1 year. This is a period of active knowledge of the world, when the baby loves to study the objects around him, trying them. However, cases of helminth infection are also found in infants. Such diseases are considered a very serious problem, causing enormous damage to the still defenseless organism.
One of the main causes of the disease is the helminth infection while it is still in the womb. If the expectant mother herself is a worm carrier, their larvae during pregnancy can enter the fetus through the placenta. Infection can occur as the baby passes through the mother's birth canal. So, once born, the baby is already a worm carrier.
The risk of helminth infection in an infant increases when the baby begins to crawl. If the house contains pets, basic hygiene rules are not followed, then it is easy for a baby to accumulate all kinds of bacteria and parasites in his body.
It is much more difficult to make an effective diagnosis in infancy than in a child of 1 year and older. Signs of helminthiasis in infants can be defecation disorders, inflammation around the anus and around the lips in girls, poor appetite and weight loss, irritability and anxiety. Even in case of insignificant possibility of infection, you should show the child to a doctor and do the necessary tests.
Traditional treatments
In most cases, the treatment of helminthiasis takes some time. The child should be referred to a pediatrician, parasitologist and pediatric gastroenterologist. Drug treatment takes place in three stages: a period of rid of the body of toxins, a course of anthelmintic treatment and a subsequent cleansing and strengthening program.
Preparations for worms
Before using antiparasitic agents, children are prescribed sorbents for general cleansing of the body and antihistamines to relieve inflammation and allergies. This is followed by taking anthelmintic drugs.
Great! Worm formulations are toxic, so they can only be taken as directed by your doctor, following the prescribed dosage! Do not use strong prophylactic drugs!
When prescribing drugs, the age of the child, the severity of the disease and the risk of side effects must be taken into account.
Pill preparations can be given to older children who are already able to swallow the pill. It is not uncommon for a child to refuse to swallow the pill or spit it out. Do not crush or crush the pill. You can try giving it to your child during play or with food. For one-year-old babies and children, medicines in the form of a drug suspension are more suitable. The antiparasitic agents act according to the following scheme: the first method destroys the adult helminths and the next one prevents the larvae from maturing and reproducing.
Side effects usually indicate the death of the parasite under the influence of the drug. To eliminate them, you can take activated carbon. But this must be done no earlier than 24 hours, otherwise the effect of the anthelmintic will be reduced. In some cases, complex antiparasitic courses may be prescribed, which include many medications. Anthelmintic agents have a number of contraindications. Not prescribed for children with malignancies, certain blood diseases and liver dysfunction.
To eliminate the intense itching in the anus, anesthetics are prescribed, which relieve the feeling of irritation and burning. Zinc oxide in combination with beeswax or glycerin reduces itching and creates a protective film in the anal area.
Great! In parallel with the medication, it is necessary to carry out a general cleaning of the house. To do this, you must carefully wash and iron the bedding, process the child's things and toys, and destroy cockroaches and bed bugs.
During treatment, special attention is paid to diet. Protein-rich, fermented dairy products are recommended. Foods high in fiber are beneficial for normal digestion and timely bowel movement. It is better to exclude sweets and pastries from the diet.
How to remove pests at home
Folk remedies are presented in many recipes that allow you to remove worms at home. Folk remedies not only help to get rid of worms, but also have a beneficial effect on the vital activity of the child's organs. Consider the most effective traditional medicine.
Enemas
With the help of an enema, the decomposition products of helminths can be expelled from the intestines, which even after their death continue to infect the child's body. It is recommended to add a few cloves of garlic and a teaspoon of salt to the water for the procedure. Such an aqueous solution is better absorbed in the intestines. Before the process, the mixture is boiled and cooled to 36 degrees. Garlic water enemas are also suitable for younger children. During the procedure, there is a risk of helminths moving through the intestines. To avoid this, it is recommended that you drink plenty of fluids before adjusting the enema.
To repel the worms, you can add garlic to the hot milk, pour the mixture into a saucepan and sit the baby on it. The worms will crawl out under the influence of garlic fumes. When doing such a procedure, you must be very careful not to burn the baby's skin.
Tansy
Tansy has gained a reputation as an excellent remedy for pinworms and roundworms due to its toxic essential oils. They are successfully used to eliminate parasites from the human body. The only caveat: for successful treatment, a large dose is required, which is designed for adults. To the question of whether tansy can be given to children as an anthelmintic, it is impossible to get a clear answer. The drug has a rather long list of side effects: nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, convulsions.
Great! A decoction of tansy can be prescribed only to a child at least 10 years old, whose weight is at least 30 kg. It is dangerous for preschoolers to get worm tans.
Pumpkin seeds
This simple tool has been known since ancient times and was used by our ancestors. Pumpkin seeds, so beloved by many, act as an excellent remedy for pests. Instead of seeds, you can give pumpkin seeds, which are sold in pharmacies. Take half an hour before meals. For young children who still do not know how to eat seeds, you can cook pumpkin broth. For this, the seeds are crushed, poured with boiling water and kept in a water bath. The resulting liquid is infused for 24 hours and drunk after draining.
Onion
Pour boiling water over the chopped onion and leave it for 12 hours. This infusion is drunk for several days. Onions and garlic are good for regular meals.
juices
Carrot juice is considered the most popular in the treatment of worms. It must be freshly squeezed. Useful beetroot, pomegranate and cabbage juices, as well as rose infusions. However, you must understand that it is impossible to get rid of helminths only with juices. Therefore, their use on an empty stomach is considered as part of a comprehensive treatment against helminths.
Natural vegetable oils
Hemp, flaxseed and cedar oil have antiparasitic properties. It is completely safe for babies. You can moisten a piece of cotton in oil and apply it to the baby's anus at night. This action destroys the eggs of pin worms, which are laid by the female during the baby's sleep.
Doctor for the treatment of worms
In his televised speeches, the famous doctor notes that it is possible to achieve success in the treatment of worms only with the help of modern medicines. The doctor warmly advises parents not to self-medicate and to consult a specialist in time.
In this case, it is important to determine which type of worm attacked the baby and which of the drugs will have the most effective effect on it. From folk remedies, a well-known doctor advises pumpkin seeds, recommending a dose of 300 grams at a time. But the gnashing of teeth in a dream as a sign of helminthic invasion, the expert considers an inactive fiction.
Prevention of helminthic diseases
To minimize the possibility of parasite infection, precautionary measures should be taken:
- make sure the child washes their hands as often as possible, especially before meals and after using the toilet.
- Do not drink raw water.
- do not eat raw meat and fish.
- wash vegetables and fruits well.
- Do not allow the child to touch stray dogs and cats with his hands and regularly give the pet anthelmintic drugs.
- wash the child's toys daily.
- cut short nails, under which pest eggs usually accumulate.
- maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness of the house.
- in the fall and spring, they undergo anthelmintic protection with the whole family.
Compliance with all the rules is not an absolute guarantee of protection against pests, but significantly reduces the risk of infection and its serious consequences.