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Intestinal worms are common in young children. Most often, transmission is through food, water, sand or earth. Fortunately, most are harmless in healthy people.
Intestinal worms in young children, what are they?
Intestinal worms are small parasites that get lodged around the anus or in the stool. They are easily spread in young children, who often put their hands to their mouths. In the majority of cases, transmission is through food, water, sand or soil. Once inside the body, intestinal worms can live in many organs such as the liver, brain and intestine.
Detect and treat intestinal worms in babies
Stomach aches, digestive disorders, loss of appetite or, on the contrary, starvation, nervousness, itching in the anus… The symptoms of intestinal worms are numerous. Depending on the type of worm to be treated, your doctor will prescribe an appropriate treatment. Besides, never give a dewormer to your child without prior medical advice.
Pinworms, small white worms
Pinworms are responsible for the most common parasitic disease in temperate environments: pinworm. They are small worms that look like small white filaments. They measure less than a centimeter and are found in the earth. Children are therefore infected when they play in the earth and put their hands to their mouths. Know that the eggs lodge under the nails. A carrier just needs to put their fingers on shared food for the contamination process to begin. The intestinal worms then migrate into the intestine, where the females lay eggs. You’ll find them in underwear, bedding and even on the floor. You can also see them with the naked eye moving around the anus or in your baby’s stool.
Symptoms of pinworms
The child is irritable, restless, tired. He has trouble falling asleep or has nightmares and may have night terrors. He sometimes has seizures colic, difficulty urinating, urinary leakage, bowel disturbances and nausea. Little girls often have their vulva and vagina affected. This can cause them vulvovaginitis or even cystitis (urinary tract infection).
Pinworms itch, and by scratching, the child can cause lesions that become infected (prurigo). By scratching his anus, the child retrieves the eggs under his fingernails, brings his fingers to his mouth … and the cycle begins again. It lasts between 15 and 20 days.
It is possible to see the worms wriggling on the surface of the stool, even pulling the folds of the anus apart. In case of doubt or to check that the first treatment has worked well, have a “scotch-test” or “Graham test” done in the laboratory. It consists, away from a saddle, to stick a piece of adhesive on the anal region, then to examine it under a microscope to detect the possible presence of pinworms.
What is the treatment for pinworms?
The treatment consists of the immediate single intake of a antiparasitaire in tablets or suspension, (Fluvermal type), renewed three weeks later.
The same medication is given to all people in direct contact with it, at a dosage adapted to each person’s weight. This treatment is repeated within 15 to 20 days, or even a third time, after a month in children.
Roundworms, worms in the stool
They are at the origin of ascaridiase ou ascaridiose. This type of pink worm looks like earthworm, and sometimes measures more than 10 centimeters! It is implanted in the intestine. After hatching in the digestive tract, the worms travel to the liver, lungs and then the small intestine where they become adults. Females lay eggs that are rejected in the stool. It can be detected with a blood test or stool test. But you can possibly discover it in his pajamas, his underpants or in his stool. Roundworms come from contaminated water, poorly washed fruits and vegetables.
Symptoms of roundworm
The presence of the worm first manifests itself in the form of a cough similar to that of a bronchitis. These symptoms go away very quickly but a tiredness appears. In addition to itching, abdominal pain and diarrhea, your child will show signs of nervousness.
How to treat roundworms?
Your doctor will prescribe an antiparasitic (dewormer) to give to your child. Also make sure that it does not put dirt in its mouth, and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
The tænia
It is the famous tapeworm, responsible for tæniasis! This parasite attaches itself to the intestines of pigs and cattle thanks to its hooks. Some types of tænia are also transmitted through the ingestion of freshwater fish or through the ingestion of insects. Their size varies from a few millimeters to several meters in length. They are composed of a succession of rings which contain very resistant eggs. Be careful if you discover its trace in your child’s stool or pajamas: it is probably only a small piece of the worm in question (one of its rings for example), which has been expelled. But it will grow again in the intestine.
Symptoms of tænia
La fatigue, the lack of appetite or on the contrary a big appetite, stomach aches are the main signs of taeniasis. Sometimes the child also suffers from diarrhea and itching.
Treatment and prevention of tænia
Consult your doctor, who will prescribe an appropriate treatment for these intestinal worms. Then, you will need to monitor his stool for a few months to check that it is free of rings. To avoid these minor inconveniences, serve the beef or pork well cooked : it is mainly through them that this parasite is spread.
Intestinal worms: hygiene measures to take for your baby
Sheets and clothes should be washed even more frequently at 60 ° C minimum;
Consider cutting your baby’s nails;
Wash your hands and those of your children regularly;
Do not exchange towels and washcloths between family members.