Worms (helminths) are one of the problems faced by parents around the world. This is a really serious problem that needs to be solved quickly. Worms are worms from the group of parasites. They parasitize the human body and disrupt the functioning of organs and systems. More often children have pinworms and roundworms.
When symptoms of helminthiasis occur, consult a physician immediately for effective therapy.
Causes of worm infection in children
Due to their natural mobility and curiosity, children often come into contact with the world around them and everything that inhabits it. The list of common causes of infection is quite impressive.
Contact with contaminated surfaces
Worms and their eggs can survive up to two weeks without food.
The most common places where a child can become infected with worms are:
- soil on 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 well before eating, as they contain worm eggs.
Raw or under-processed foods also carry a risk of worm infestation. Contaminated water is a very common source of pollution.
Contact mode
Worms are transmitted to humans by humans. Shingles is usually spread in this way, so there is a very high risk of helminth infestation in children's groups.
Insect bites
Mosquitoes are often carriers of the infection.
The presence of worms in the mother
It is possible to infect a child even during pregnancy, when the infection occurs in the womb. The larvae of helminths enter the bloodstream of the fetus through the placenta or during birth through the birth canal. The eggs of the parasites reach the child from the surface of the nipple, toys and other objects.
Worm infestations are more common in children than in adults. Worms in children under one year are not as common as in children 1, 5 - 3 years, who actively explore the world, taste different objects and become infected much more often.
Helminthiasis is dangerous at any age. Worms in a one-year-old child are a special case because the baby's body is not yet mature, the immune system is weak and the presence of worms in children can cause frequent acute respiratory illnesses, allergies and internal diseases.
The presence of worms in babies is a major health problem, as worms feed on substances necessary for the growth and full development of the baby.
Symptoms of worms in children
Signs of worms in children depend on the habitat and activity of worms in the child's body. The most common worms - roundworms in babies, pinworms, tapeworms - live in the gut, but some of the certain parasites can move from organ to organ. For example, roundworms first enter the stomach, and from there enter the lungs or liver with blood. There they grow for three weeks, after which they 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.
Opisthorchiasis parasites often live in the liver and pancreas. Echinococcus can affect muscles and bones, chains even penetrate the brain. Also, some types of helminths are found in the respiratory system, causing a persistent cough.
How do we know that a child has worms?
Depending on the location of the worms in children, the following signs of worms may appear in the child:
- constipation.Large worms can block the lumen of the intestine, causing impaired stool leakage. Constipation can last more than 2 days.
- diarrhea.Some parasites secrete a special substance that stimulates the body to excrete undigested food particles and large amounts of water.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Helminths can cause inflammation in the gut. This causes malabsorption of nutrients and irregular bowel movements.
- Flatulence.Some types of helminths provoke fermentation processes in the small intestine, which causes excessive gas formation. If you do not get rid of worms in time, flatulence can last for months.
- Pain in the joints, muscles.This happens when parasites invade the joint or the thickness of the muscle tissue and destroy it.
- alergy.Worm waste products can activate special cells in the body that are responsible for allergic reactions.
- Worms can cause skin diseases.Acne, urticaria, papillomas and diathesis appear. Sometimes worm infection leads to increased fragility of hair and nails.
- anemia.Some types of worms are able to adhere to the intestinal wall and receive from them not only nutrients but also blood. Therefore, the child develops anemia, which is diagnosed by a clinical blood test.
- Change in body weight.As a rule, as a result of worm infection, body weight decreases sharply because worms absorb more of the nutrients that enter the body with food. The presence of a helminth infection often causes loss of appetite due to the entry of toxins into the blood. But often the child experiences weight gain - this is a protective reaction against the spread of worms.
- Nervous system disorders.The child has capricious and irritable behavior. Depression can develop in students and adolescents with helminthiasis.
- Sleep disorders.When a child wakes up every night, it may indicate an infectious process. At night, some types of worms leave the body through the anus, which is accompanied by severe itching that prevents the baby from sleeping.
- jaundice.More common in tapeworm infections.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.The child is constantly weak and gets tired quickly due to lack of nutrients in the body. Memory problems develop, emotional stress and drowsiness develop.
- Immune disorders.Due to helminthiasis, the child often develops diseases of viral origin, an allergic reaction to ordinary foods. Dysbiosis, colitis often develop in the intestines, rashes, diathesis and herpes on the face.
- Respiratory problems.They appear when worm larvae attack the lungs. In worms, children develop a cough and their body temperature rises. Bronchial asthma is an extremely dangerous complication of worm infestation.
Numerous symptoms of worms in children significantly complicate the diagnosis. Therefore, parents should keep in mind the usual preventive examinations, including tests to determine the presence of pinworms and roundworms.
Common types of worms in children
- Oysterscause itching around the anus, painful urination.
- Ascaris.In ascariasis, diarrhea is observed, worms are seen in the feces of the child with the naked eye. Fever and dry cough are detected within 4 to 16 days after contact with roundworm eggs.
- hookworm.The child develops a cough, wheezing. With severe infection, anemia and chronic fatigue develop.
- Tapeworm.They enter the body with contaminated food and water. The ingested worms move from the baby's intestines, forming cysts in the tissues and organs of the body.
How to recognize worms in a child?
Abdominal pain, lethargy and diarrhea may be symptoms of other diseases. To make sure that there are signs of helminthiasis, it is necessary to do some tests for worms in children:
1. Blood test for worms in children.
Enzyme immunoassay for worms is prescribed. As a result of the study, special antibodies and antigens are identified, which indicates the presence of worms in the body. This analysis will show the type of worms present, their number and 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. The exact result is achieved with the help of a histological coprogram
It consists of a microscopic examination of the stool. Thanks to this study, it is possible to clearly identify the parts of the worm's body, their eggs. As a result, helminthiasis is diagnosed, as well as the type of worms.
3. X-ray and other diagnostic measures
When worms are suspected in the lungs, an X-ray is prescribed. In addition, sputum testing is performed. Computed tomography or ultrasound are done to identify parasites in the liver, brain or kidneys.
How to get rid of worms in children?
For effective treatment of worms in a child, contact a parasitologist and follow his recommendations.
Self-medication with worm drugs for children is unacceptable, as they are quite toxic. Also keep in mind that the invasion of different types of worms requires individual treatments that are structured according to the life cycle of the worm. 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 that is available as a syrup for young children or as a tablet for older children.
Deworming pills for children usually kill the worms without harming the owner, in this case the child. The treatment period is usually short and lasts no more than a few days. Sometimes one dose is enough to get rid of worm crumbs.
But many drugs are ineffective against larvae and worm eggs. In addition, there is a high risk of repeated self-infection with smallpox in young children. Therefore, after 2-3 weeks, the course of treatment should be repeated.
If the child has worms, along with etiotropic drugs, a specialist may recommend a choleretic drug if the worms are suspected to live in the gallbladder. Laxatives are often prescribed to quickly remove helminths and sorbents to absorb toxins. Antihistamines can reduce the appearance of allergies and improve the health of the young patient.
The treatment of helminthiasis in infants is very difficult. Almost all worm medicines are not used for children under the age of two, as they are very toxic and have many side effects. Damage to the body caused by the consumption of such drugs can be significant even at the slightest overdose. Therefore, self-treatment of helminthiasis in children of the year is absolutely prohibited.
In case of any suspicion of worms in an infant, it is necessary to contact a specialist who will determine the degree of infection and will develop a treatment regimen that works 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 young children and young children. Always visit your doctor and follow the dosage and treatment regimen to protect your child from worms. It is recommended to use worm pills for children every six months for prevention. Talk to your doctor about what to give your baby for worm prevention, the specialist will determine the dosage and frequency of preventive deworming.
Folk remedies for the treatment of worms for children
Along with medications, treating worms in children with folk remedies will help alleviate the discomfort due to worms in the body. A natural remedy for worms does not necessarily get rid of the worms in your child, but it will help treat and prevent infection.
Consider folk remedies:
- Garlicis a natural anthelmintic for children. It is known to be effective against parasitic worms. Raw garlic contains amino acids, sulfur, which will help kill and rid the body of parasites. Eating three cloves of raw garlic on an empty stomach will help with complex deworming.
- papaya- the best remedy for health. Unripe papaya has an enzyme called papain, which acts as an anthelmintic to kill worms in the gut. In addition, papaya seeds are used to expel worms from the stomach. Grind the papaya seeds and mix one tablespoon of the mixture 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 to expel intestinal worms.
- Pumpkin seedshelp get rid of 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 crushed pumpkin seeds in three glasses of water. Leave the drink to stand for half an hour. Offer to the child when the liquid cools.
- Chinese bitter gourd.Although slightly sour in taste, it is very effective in combating intestinal worms. Mix a glass of bitter gourd juice with water and honey and feed your child twice a day.
- carrotscontains vitamin A, which boosts immunity and allows the body to fight off any intestinal worms before they have completely colonized the body. Eating carrots on an empty stomach will help neutralize stubborn parasites in the body and will also prevent re-infection.
- Turmericis a natural antiseptic and helps eliminate all types of intestinal worms. Need a glass of warm water mixed with a spoonful of turmeric, give the child worms once a day for five days.
- Coconuthas strong antiparasitic properties, which makes it effective in treating worms. You can use fruit or oil to kill worms. Have your child eat one tablespoon of ground coconut daily with breakfast. Continue to use this home remedy for a week. Concentrated coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides that will help remove worms from your baby's body. Taking four to six teaspoons of coconut oil every morning for a week will boost immunity and prevent worms from recurring.
- Clovedestroys existing intestinal worms and their eggs and also prevents future infections. Add a teaspoon of cloves to a glass of hot water and let stand for 20 minutes. Drink this water three times a week to avoid contamination.
- Onion juicehelps fight roundworms. Take the onion and cut it well, drain the juice from the onion mixture. Consume it in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Indian lilachas antiparasitic properties and can destroy various intestinal worms. Mix 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 outdoor areas are more likely to become infected with worms. Although worms can be eliminated by deworming, it is best to prevent infection as much as possible.
Hygiene is crucial here. Teach your children basic hygiene habits and educate them on how worms enter their bodies and make them sick.
Worm prevention includes 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 thoroughly with soap.
- It is also worth washing vegetables, herbs, fruits and berries that the child and other family members eat.
- It is important to handle meat, fish and poultry well.
- 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 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 animals.
These precautions do not rule out the possibility of helminth infestation, but minimize it.