Helminth infection is one of the most common childhood diseases. According to official statistics, more than 20 million people are affected by helminthic infestations, of which 80% are children. Symptoms of the presence of worms in the body are not always pronounced. Consider the main signs of helminth infection in children, methods of treatment and preventive measures.
Types of helminths
There are more than 300 species of worms. All can be divided into three groups:
- Nematodes (pinworms, roundworms, whips).
- Tapeworms (beef tapeworm, pork tapeworm).
- Butterfly worms (cat and Siberian fluke).
Children most often have worms from the first group. Among them:
- Roundworms are long worms with pointed ends. The color can be different: from pink to yellow. Adult parasites parasitize on the small intestine. Roundworms multiply at high speed - the female is able to lay up to 240, 000 eggs a day;
- Pinworms - belong to the roundworms and small size. They are usually white or yellowish in color. Females lay eggs near the anus and in the perineum. Eggs become contagious after a few hours.
- Hairworms are round worms with thin front ends, which are able to penetrate the intestinal wall. At the same time, the whips are saturated with his blood and poison other organs with their waste. The secretions are absorbed into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
Bitan! Sometimes parents do not even suspect that helminths have settled in their child's body. In the chronic phase, the disease may be asymptomatic.
Experienced doctors say that with a detailed examination, worms can be found even on the outside of a healthy child.
How children get infected
It will be fundamentally wrong to think that worm infection occurs due to insufficient care for children. Cases of helminth infection are not uncommon in the most prosperous and well-groomed children. The main source of infection is dirty hands. An active child learns the world around him and spends a lot of time outdoors, in the garden, on the playground and in the sandbox. These are places of significant accumulation of worm eggs. There are frequent cases of infection from animals that children like to play with.
Unwashed vegetables and fruits are another danger. Especially those species whose fruits are in contact with the ground, such as strawberries, should not be eaten unwashed.
Bitan! One should not think that peeled fruits (bananas, tangerines, oranges) will be absolutely safe. Before eating, they should be washed as well as other fruits.
You can get worms if you eat fresh cow's or goat's milk. If the animal is kept in conditions that do not meet hygienic standards, it is not surprising that parasites have settled in its milk. Other causes of worms can be meat and fish that are not cooked properly.
Infection cannot be avoided if the child does not have developed hygiene habits before eating and after going to the toilet. Bad habits of biting nails, sucking fingers, biting the tip of a pen or pencil are not at all harmless, as it seems at first glance, since children's hands are not always clean enough. It is absolutely unacceptable for a child to cuddle or handle stray cats or dogs.
Common symptoms
All signs of manifestation of worm infection can be divided into general and specific, which are characteristic of certain types of parasites. The presence of general intoxication in the body of children can be judged by the general manifestations of fungal lesions:
- stool disorders (constipation, diarrhea);
- frequent dizziness, nausea, bad breath;
- severe weight loss due to the fact that parasites absorb most of the nutrients from food;
- dermatological diseases (skin rash, papillomas, diathesis, brittle nails);
- nervous system disorders (malaise, crying, poor sleep and chronic fatigue of the child);
- low hemoglobin;
- immune disorders, leading to frequent viral diseases;
- low resistance to respiratory diseases (sinusitis, nasal polyps, adenoids);
- allergic reactions.
Bitan! Conventional prophylactic vaccination may be a signal of the presence of parasites. If it is accompanied by severe allergic reactions, a visit to a parasitologist is necessary!
Signs of pinworm infestation
Caring parents want to know what worms look like in a child’s feces. Usually worms 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:
- itchy anus;
- abdominal pain, especially around the navel;
- salivation, nausea;
- anxiety of a child who often wakes up or fidgets in his sleep;
- gnashing of teeth during sleep (no definitive medical evidence).
If a child itches in the anus, especially at night, it leads to the penetration of the parasite on the hands, and later on the skin of the whole body. As a result, inflammatory skin diseases are possible. Combing the anus is also dangerous because it contributes to the re-infection of pinworms when a child, without washing his hands, takes food, toys or pulls them into his mouth.
Young girls have an increased risk of pinworms entering the external genitalia, where females crawl out of the anus. This infection is accompanied by urinary incontinence and copious genital discharge. Lack of proper treatment can lead to a significant delay in the growth and physical development of the child.
Symptoms of roundworm and whipworm damage
Unlike pinworms common in temperate climates, roundworms prefer warm and humid air. Ascarid 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 parasites move all over the body. Other symptoms include a rash on the body, fever, pale skin and dark circles under the eyes. In severe forms of the disease, inflammation of the gallbladder, nervous disorders and epileptic seizures are possible.
Whip infection is usually slow or asymptomatic, but bloody diarrhea, anemia, and delayed physical development may occur.
Diagnosis of helminthiasis
If a child is suspected of being infected, a series of tests and studies should be performed. Diagnostic methods will determine the type of parasite. The child should pass:
- analysis of feces on worm eggs - it is necessary to take with a break of a few days;
- analysis for dysbiosis - determines the difference between E. coli indicators from the norm;
- general blood test to determine iron levels in the body;
- scraping for pinworms.
Bitan! One analysis for the presence of helminths in feces in many cases does not detect parasites in the child's body. Re-examination of the feces is of great importance.
Since pinworms and roundworms die quickly outside the human body, it is recommended to take a stool analysis for helminths as soon as possible after emptying the bowel. Scraping for pinworms must be done at least once a year. It is mandatory when the 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 worm disease in infants
Worm infection in children usually occurs after 1 year. This is a period of active knowledge of the world, when the baby likes to study objects around him, tasting them. However, cases of helminth infection are also found in infants. Such diseases are considered to be a very serious problem, which cause enormous damage to an even helpless organism.
One of the main causes of the disease is helminth infection in the womb. If the future mother herself is a carrier of worms, their larvae can enter the fetus through the placenta during pregnancy. Infection can occur during the passage of the baby through the mother's birth canal. Thus, barely born, the baby is already a carrier of worms.
The risk of helminth infection in an infant increases when the baby starts to crawl. If there are pets in the house, the basic hygiene rules are not followed, then it is easy for the baby to gather all kinds of bacteria and parasites in his body.
It is much more difficult to make an effective diagnosis in an infant than in a child aged 1 and over. Signs of helminthiasis in infants may include defecation disorders, inflammation around the anus and around the lips in girls, poor appetite and weight loss, irritability and anxiety. Even in the case of a slight probability of infection, you need to show the child to the doctor and do the necessary tests.
Traditional treatments
In most cases, the treatment of helminthiasis takes some time. The child should be taken to a pediatrician, parasitologist and pediatric gastroenterologist. Drug treatment takes place in three phases: the period of release of the organism from toxins, the course of anthelmintic therapy and the subsequent program of cleansing and strengthening.
Preparations for earthworms
Before using antiparasitic drugs, children are prescribed sorbents for general body cleansing and antihistamines to alleviate inflammation and the manifestation of allergies. This is followed by taking anthelmintic drugs.
Bitan! Worm preparations are toxic, so they can be taken only on the recommendation of a doctor, in compliance with the prescribed doses! Do not use strong medications for prophylaxis!
The age of the child, the severity of the disease and the risk of side effects should be taken into account when prescribing medication.
The pill formulations 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 a pill or spit it out. Do not crush or crush the pill. You can try to give it to your child during play or with food. Medicines in the form of a medicinal suspension are more suitable for babies and one-year-old children. Antiparasitic agents work according to the following scheme: the first method destroys adult helminths, and the next prevents the maturation and reproduction of larvae.
Side effects usually indicate the death of the parasite under the influence of the drug. To eliminate them, you can take activated charcoal. But this should be done no later than 24 hours, otherwise the effect of the anthelmintic will be reduced. In some cases, complex antiparasitic courses may be prescribed, which include several medications. Anthelmintic drugs have a number of contraindications. They are not prescribed to children with malignant tumors, certain blood diseases and liver dysfunction.
To eliminate severe itching in the anus, anesthetics are prescribed that alleviate 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.
Bitan! In addition to medical treatment, it is necessary to perform general cleaning of the house. To do this, you need to wash and carefully iron the bedding, process the child’s belongings and toys, and destroy the cockroaches and bed bugs in the house.
During treatment, special attention is paid to diet. Protein foods, fermented dairy products are recommended. Foods rich in fiber are useful for normal digestion and timely bowel emptying. It is better to exclude sweets and baked goods from the diet.
How to remove parasites at home
Folk remedies are presented in many recipes that allow you to remove worms at home. Treatment with folk remedies helps not only to get rid of worms, but also has a beneficial effect on the vital activity of the child's organs. Consider the most effective traditional medicine.
Enema
With the help of an enema, the products of helminth decomposition can be expelled from the intestines, which continue to infect the child's body even after death. 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 procedure, the mixture is boiled and cooled to 36 degrees. Enema with garlic water is suitable for the youngest children. During the procedure there is a danger of helminths passing through the intestines. To avoid this, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids before placing the enema.
To get rid of worms, you can add garlic to hot milk, pour the mixture into a sherpa and place the baby on it. The worms will crawl under the influence of garlic vapor. When performing such a procedure, you must be very careful not to burn your baby's skin.
Dance
Tansy has earned a reputation as an excellent remedy for pinworms and roundworms due to its essential toxic oils. They are successfully used to expel parasites from the human body. The only caveat: successful treatment requires a large dose intended for adults. The question of whether it is possible to give tansy to children as an anthelmintic is impossible to get a definitive answer. The drug has a fairly long list of side effects: nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, convulsions.
Bitan! Tansy decoction can be prescribed only to a child at least 10 years old, weighing at least 30 kg. It is dangerous for preschool children to take tansy for earthworms.
Pumpkin seeds
This simple tool has been known since ancient times and was used by our ancestors. Pumpkin seeds, so popular with many, act as a great remedy for parasites. Instead of seeds you can give pumpkin oil that is sold in pharmacies. It is taken half an hour before meals. For young children who do not yet know how to eat seeds, you can cook pumpkin broth. For that, the seeds are crushed, poured over with boiling water and kept in a water bath. The resulting liquid is infused for 24 hours and drunk after filtration.
Onions
Pour boiling water over the chopped onion and let it stand for 12 hours. This infusion is drunk for several days. Garlic and garlic are good for regular meals.
Juices
Carrot juice is considered the most popular in the treatment of worms. It must definitely be freshly squeezed. Useful juices of beets, pomegranate and cabbage, as well as infusions of rose hips. However, you must understand that it is impossible to get rid of helminths with juices alone. Therefore, their use on an empty stomach is considered part of a comprehensive anthelmintic therapy.
Natural vegetable oils
Hemp, flax and cedar oil have antiparasitic properties. They are completely safe for babies. You can moisten a piece of cotton wool in oil and apply it to the baby’s anus at night. This action destroys the pinworm eggs that the female lays during the child's sleep.
Doctor on worm treatment
In his television speeches, the famous doctor notes that success in the treatment of worms can be achieved only with the help of modern medicines. The doctor 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 medications will work on it most effectively. Of the folk remedies, a famous 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 empty fiction.
Prevention of helminthic diseases
In order to reduce the possibility of parasite infection, it is necessary to adhere to preventive measures:
- make sure your 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 thoroughly;
- do not allow a child to touch stray dogs and cats with their hands, and give pets anthelmintic drugs regularly;
- wash your child's toys daily;
- cut short nails, under which parasite eggs usually accumulate;
- adhere to personal hygiene and cleanliness of the home;
- in the fall and spring undergo anthelmintic prophylaxis with the whole family.
Adherence to all rules is not an absolute guarantee of protection against parasites, but it significantly reduces the risk of infection and its serious consequences.