Worms (helminths) are one of the problems that parents around the world face. This is a really serious issue 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. Most often children have round needles and worms.
Whenever symptoms of helminthiasis appear, consult a physician immediately for effective therapy.
Causes of worm infection in children
Because of their natural mobility and curiosity, children often come in 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 be infected with worms are:
- ground on the playground or outside containing worms or eggs;
- contact with animals or contact with their feces, 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 uncooked food also carries the risk of worm infection. Contaminated water is a very common source of pollution.
Manner of contact
Worms are transmitted to humans by humans. Breastworms usually spread this way, so there is a very high risk of helminth infection in groups of children.
Insect bites
Mosquitoes are often carriers of the infection.
Presence of worms in the mother
It is possible to infect a baby even during pregnancy, when the infection occurs in the uterus. Helminth larvae enter the fetal bloodstream through the placenta or during birth through the birth canal. The parasite's eggs reach the baby from the nipple surface, toys and other items.
Worm infections are more common in children than in adults. Worms in children under one year of age are not as common as in children 1, 5 - 3 years old, who actively explore the world, taste different objects and become infected much more often.
Helminthiases are 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, prone to allergies and diseases. of internal organs.
The presence of worms in infants is a major health problem, as the worms feed on the substances necessary for the full growth and development of the infant.
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 - roundworms in infants, breast worms, tapeworms - live in the intestines, but some of the certain parasites can move from organ to organ. For example, roundworms first enter the stomach, and from there blood enter the lungs or liver. There they grow for three weeks, then re-enter the intestines or stomach.
Breastworms often reside in the anus, causing severe itching. In girls, they can be found in the genitals, causing vulvovaginitis.
Opisthorchis parasites often live in the liver and pancreas. Echinococcus can affect muscles and bones, chains even penetrating the brain. Also, some types of helminths are found in the respiratory organs, causing a persistent cough.
How do you know if a child has worms?
Depending on the location of the worms in the children, the following signs of the presence of worms in the child may appear:
- Constipation.Large worms can block the intestinal lumen, which causes bowel flow disorders. Constipation can last more than 2 days.
- Diarrhea.Some parasites secrete a special substance that stimulates the body to extract 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.
- bounce.Some species of helminths provoke fermentation processes in the small intestine, this causes excessive gas formation. If you do not get rid of the worms in time, the swelling can take months.
- Pain in the joints, muscles.This occurs when parasites invade a joint or in the thickness of muscle tissue and destroy it.
- Allergies.Worm residues can activate specific cells in the body that are responsible for the onset of allergic reactions.
- Worms can cause skin diseases.Acne, urticaria, papillomas and diathesis appear. Sometimes worm infection leads to increased brittleness of hair and nails.
- Anemia.Some species of worms are able to attach to the walls of the intestines and take from them not only nutrients but also blood. Because of this, the child develops anemia, which is diagnosed with a clinical blood test.
- Change in body weight.As a rule, as a result of worm infection, the body weight decreases significantly, as the worms absorb more nutrients that enter the body with food. Having a helminth infection often causes loss of appetite due to the penetration of toxins into the bloodstream. But often the child experiences an increase in body weight - this is a protective reaction to the spread of worms.
- Nervous system disorders.The child has a humorous and nervous demeanor. Depression can develop in school children and adolescents against the background of helminthiasis.
- Sleep disorders.When a child wakes up every night, this may indicate a process of infection. 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.Most common with tapeworm infections.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.The child is constantly 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, a child often develops diseases of a viral genesis, appears an allergic reaction to common foods. In the intestine, often develops dysbiosis, colitis, on the face - rash, diathesis and herpes.
- Breathing problems.They occur when worm larvae attack the lungs. With 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 worms and ascaris.
Common types of worms in children
- Red wormscause itching around the anus, painful urination.
- Ascaris.With ascariasis, diarrhea is observed, worms are visible in the feces of the child with the naked eye. Dry fever and cough are detected within 4 to 16 days after contact with roundworm eggs.
- Ankilostoma.The child develops a cough, whistling appears. In case of severe infection, anemia and chronic fatigue develop.
- Tapeworms.They enter the body with contaminated food and water. Swallowed worms move from the baby's intestines, forming cysts in the tissues and organs of the body.
How to identify worms in a child?
Abdominal pain, lethargy and diarrhea can be symptoms of other diseases. To make sure they are signs of helminthiasis, it is necessary to perform some worm tests on children:
1. Blood test for worms in children.
An enzyme immunological assay for worms has been described. As a result of the study, specific antibodies and antigens are identified, which indicate 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 correct result is achieved using a histological coprogram
It consists of microscopic examination of the feces. Thanks to this study, it is possible to clearly identify the body parts of the worm, their eggs. As a result, helminthiasis is diagnosed, as well as the type of worms.
3. X-ray and other diagnostic measures
When there is a suspicion of the presence of worms in the lungs, an X-ray examination is prescribed. In addition, a saliva test is performed. 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, contact a parasitologist and follow his recommendations.
Self-medication with anthelmintics for children is unacceptable because they are quite toxic. Remember also that the invasion of different types of worms requires individualized treatments that are structured according to the worm 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.
Baby worm removal pills usually kill the worms without harming the owner, in this case the baby. The treatment period is usually short and lasts no more than a few days. Sometimes one dose is enough to get rid of worms.
But many drugs are ineffective against worm larvae and eggs. In addition, there is a fairly large threat of recurrent self-infection with pliers worms in young children. Therefore, after 2-3 weeks, the course of treatment should be repeated.
If a child has worms, in parallel with etiotropic drugs, a specialist may recommend a choleretic medicine if worms are suspected to live in the gallbladder. Laxatives are often prescribed to quickly eliminate helminths and sorbents to absorb toxins. Antihistamines can reduce the manifestation of allergies and improve the health of the little patient.
Treating helminthiasis in infants is very difficult. Almost all worm medicines are not used for children under two years old because they are very toxic and have many side effects. The damage to the body caused by the consumption of these drugs can be significant even with the slightest overdose. Therefore, self-treatment of helminthiasis in children of the year is absolutely not allowed.
With any suspicion of worms in a 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 situations, the doctor may even suggest postponing treatment for a short time in order for the child to grow.
Do not rely on over-the-counter medications as they may not be suitable for toddlers and young children. Always visit your doctor and follow the dosage and treatment regimen to keep your baby free of worms. It is recommended to use worm pills for children every six months for prophylaxis. Talk to your doctor about what to give your child for worm prevention, the specialist will determine the dose and frequency of preventative worm removal.
Folk remedies for worms for children
Along with medication, treating worms in children with folk remedies will help alleviate the worm due to worms in the body. A natural remedy for worms will not necessarily save you from worms in your child, but will help treat and prevent the infection.
Consider folk remedies:
- garlicis a natural anti-helminthic agent 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 remove complex worms.
- Papaya- the best medicine for health. Immature papaya has an enzyme called papain, which acts as an anti-helminthic agent to kill worms in the intestines. In addition, papaya seeds are used to flush worms out of the stomach. Grind papaya seeds and mix a tablespoon of the mixture in milk or warm water. Ask your child to drink in the morning, three days in a row. Combine a tablespoon of raw papaya and a tablespoon of honey in milk or warm water. Drinking this drink on an empty stomach helps get rid of intestinal worms.
- Pumpkin seedshelp get rid of intestinal parasites. The seeds contain quercetin, which paralyzes pests and makes it difficult for them to survive in the body. Offer your child a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds with honey. Boil a tablespoon of peeled and crushed pumpkin seeds in three cups of water. Let the drink stand for half an hour. Offer to baby when the liquid has cooled.
- Bitter Chinese Pagur.Although with a slightly sour taste, it is very effective in fighting intestinal worms. Mix a cup of bitter gourd juice with water and honey and feed your baby 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 persistent parasites in the body and also prevent re-infection.
- India's saffronis a natural antiseptic and helps eliminate all types of intestinal worms. You need a glass of warm water mixed with a tablespoon of turmeric, give the baby from the worms once a day for five days.
- cocohas strong antiparasitic properties, making it effective in treating worms. You can use fruit or oil to kill worms. Let your child eat a tablespoon of ground coconut every morning. Continue to use this medicine at home 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 recurrence of worm infections.
- Clovesdestroys 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 chop it well, drain the juice from the onion mass. Consume in the morning on an empty stomach.
- indian lilacpossesses antiparasitic properties and can destroy various intestinal worms. Combine powdered leaves in warm milk and honey. Offer it to your child twice a week.
Traditional home remedies can help alleviate the infection, but they may not completely cure it. They are not a substitute for prescription drugs.
Worm prevention in children
Children who play in mud, sand, grass and other open areas are more likely to become infected with worms. While worms can be eliminated by deworming, it is best to prevent infection as much as possible.
Hygiene is critical here. Teach your children the basics of hygiene and educate them on how worms get into their bodies and make them sick.
Worm prevention includes the following actions:
- Do not give children raw water from springs or wells. This water must be filtered and boiled before use.
- After contact with soil, hands should be thoroughly washed with soap.
- It is also worth washing the vegetables, herbs, fruits and berries that the child and other family members eat.
- It is important that meat, fish and poultry be thoroughly treated with heat.
- Do not offer your child dry, salty 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 baby's hands or face as their tongue may contain worm eggs.
- Hands should be washed thoroughly after any contact with animals.
These precautions do not rule out the possibility of helminth infection, but they do minimize it.