Worm infestation is the presence of worms in kids’ intestines. The child could have caught it from someone else while walking barefoot on infected soil, playing in the contaminated water and eating unclean food. After reading this you will know when to reach out to a doctor for treating the worm infestation, how to deworm a kid, and how to prevent the child from getting worms again.
Dr Debmita Dutta, a parenting and wellness consultant in Bangalore, says before looking for signs of worms forming or appearing in your child’s stomach. It is imperative to understand that in the beginning stages – when the worms are few in numbers – the child may not show any signs of worms at all.
The first signs of a worm infestation that may be seen are the following:
- Stomach ache
- Crankiness and irritability
- Vomiting and loose motions
- Not feeling hungry
- Skin rash
- Itching around the anus
At a later stage, after several days of infestation – when the number of worms increases – children may show these signs:
- Poor growth and weight loss
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Cough, fever, breathlessness and coughing up worms
- Headaches and seizures
What should you do if you think your child has worms?
If you see any of the signs mentioned above – there is a possibility that your child has worms. And if you suspect worms – you must reach out to your doctor for a consultation immediately. It is important to consult a doctor in the early stages of worm infection because at that point treatment is easier and the chances of complications like malnutrition, seizures and lung infestation are lower.
How to deworm a kid?
If you think your child has worms – your first question may be “How do I deworm my child?”
De-worming must be done in 3 steps:
Step 1 – Confirm that the child has worms
Step 2 – Take the medicines prescribed by the doctor for de-worming
Step 3 – Take preventive measures to ensure that the child does not get infected again
“Deworming is safe with the least side-effects, ensure that your children are dewormed at least once a year to prevent Helminthiasis,” urges Dr Dutta.
Compiled by Phalimo Moeketsi Source: What parents ask/Dr Debmita Dutta
