Pinworms are small round worms of white color, which parasitize in the intestine and in the region of the anus. They are the causative agents of such a disease as enterobiosis. Of course, preschool children and schoolchildren are the main risk group, but it is also possible that pinworms can appear in infants and adults.
Pinworms in children - reasons
Pinworms can be passed on to a healthy child, either from an animal or from a child who is already infected with these worms. People with enterobiasis experience severe itching in the anus. This forces them to scratch the skin, as a result of which the laid-off eggs of pinworms remain on the fingers and under the fingernails. Everyone knows how careful the children are, and in the case of elementary non-observance of the usual rules of personal hygiene, the child puts eggs in the mouth, where they come into the intestines - and there is a recharge. Likewise, if a toddler infected with pinworms communicates with friends, shares toys and uses common objects, infection with the pinworms of healthy children around him occurs. After the eggs enter the small intestine, they mature and the worms come out. Approximately a month later, the worms begin to grow and multiply, and when the females reach the adult stage - come to the surface and lay eggs in the area of the anus. And the whole process is repeated from the beginning.
Also, pending egg pinworms are on the animal's fur, so it is mandatory to wash hands after contact with them.
Symptoms and signs of pinworms in children
- itching in the anus;
- rapid chair, while the stool becomes mushy, and sometimes with impurities of mucus;
- cramping in the abdomen;
- headache;
- increased irritability;
- insomnia;
- urinary incontinence;
- vulvovaginitis - in girls.
Pinworms in children - treatment
If you suspect that your child is infected with pinworms, you should not self-medicate. First of all, it's worth to make sure that it's pinworms, not some other type of worm. As a rule, the usual analysis of feces is unlikely to help, because the pinworms do not lay eggs in the intestines, but only from the outside. Therefore, the child must do a scraping from the folds of the anus.
If, as a result of the examination, the child still finds pinworms, the doctor will tell you what to do in order to get rid of these parasites. Fortunately, the treatment is quite simple. In order to destroy the infection, usually a couple of medications are enough. Modern medicine knows many medications that are effective in treating enterobiasis. As a rule, from pinworms for children, prescribe such medicines as feed, helminthox or vermox. The instructions and the exact dosage prescribed by the doctor in charge should be followed, since many antihelminthic drugs may have side effects. Also, during the treatment it is necessary not to forget to change the panties to the child several times a day, and after each washing, iron them with a hot iron. In the event that a child becomes ill in your family, doctors recommend that all family members be treated, even if there are no symptoms of the disease.
How to remove pinworms from children in folk ways?
Pinworms are considered the most harmless among all possible worms, therefore their treatment can be made exclusively by folk methods.
For example, the use of raw pumpkin seeds is excellent - it is necessary to eat half a handful for three days before and after eating. And also, you can offer your child before a meal to drink half a cup of carrot juice.
To avoid occurrence at your child of an enterobiosis the standard rules of personal hygiene will help. Teach your children to wash their hands before eating, and after visiting public places and contacting animals. Do not forget to keep the kid's nails clean and cut them on time.