This guide is designed to give them help and information about worms in the stool in children. Summer has come to the country. Gardens and fields are greening and ripening. We are happy to be able to hand our own fruits and vegetables to our children, not thinking about the dangers that can come to children from eating a single raw carrot or even just playing in garden soil.
Signs and symptoms
Pale appearance is by all means not always the sign of a true anemia, but often just an indication of another underlying condition, such as worming or worms. Often a worm infestation in children is not even noticed. This is especially true for the worm diseases that occur in Germany. The organism itself is usually capable of fighting the worms completely. Nevertheless, symptoms and even complications can occur. Typical symptoms are pain in the upper abdomen, loss of appetite alternating with ravenous hunger, attacks of ravenous hunger even after eating, constant fatigue or restlessness. The most important indication of a worm infestation in children is a severe nocturnal itching in the anal region. The excruciating itching of the buttocks can lead to sleep problems and therefore, in the long term, to concentration problems. Other symptoms occur only rarely in Germany. In warmer regions, however, there are worm species that can also cause flu-like symptoms. These include fever, cough, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Worm infestations in children are usually very treatable. As already mentioned, in most cases the organism can fight the worm infestation without therapy. However, in individual cases complications can occur. For example, the worms can enter various organs and cause sometimes life-threatening damage. Under certain circumstances, the occurrence of appendicitis, lung diseases or intestinal obstructions is possible. Because of these residual risks and the fact that children can become infected again with the worm eggs by scratching their buttocks, worm treatment should always be carried out in the event of worm infestation. From this exact description, the pediatrician can easily recognize that this is an infection with roundworms. He now has the task of explaining the biologically highly interesting connections to the parents. Wherever sewage disposal in homes is inadequate, wherever human excreta (septic tanks) are used to fertilize the meadows and gardens in close proximity to homes, children run the risk of becoming infected with roundworms while playing.
Roundworms
This is because fertilized roundworms have entered the soil with the human excretions, but also on the top-fertilized vegetables. Even eating a garden carrot, eaten raw and unwashed, brings roundworm eggs into the child’s gastrointestinal tract. There, within 4 days, the eggs hatch into small larvae ¼ mm long, which very soon pierce the intestinal wall and thus enter the human bloodstream. On the bloodstream, the larvae reach the heart and also the lungs, again pierce the smallest blood vessels and then migrate upwards in the airways of the lungs to the pharynx. Thereupon, after their long migration, the larvae are swallowed again and now develop into sexually mature roundworms in the human small intestine. Their females grow up to 40 cm long and lay about 20 million eggs, which are now excreted again in the stool. This biological event, in which our children are usually involved due to carelessness on the part of their parents or unhygienic living conditions, causes severe abdominal pain not only in sensitive children. It can also lead to intestinal paralysis or intestinal obstruction due to the worms forming clusters. In rare cases, the adults migrate not only with the stool, but also out of the child’s mouth. However, the pediatrician is also able to determine that a child has been wormed if roundworms have not previously been observed with certainty. With the help of the X-ray procedure and by examining the child’s stool for worm eggs, the infection is detected. The subsequent worming treatment is best carried out in a hospital in order to achieve certain success. Much more important, however, is the requirement that no child should eat unwashed raw fruit or vegetables, especially in the countryside where contact with the excrement of animals and humans is more likely.
Pinworms
Much more harmless than roundworms, but much more widespread, are pinworms, which are very often observed in the excretions of children, but also in adults, as small motile white filaments about 10 mm long. Often school and kindergarten children, but preferably home children, are infested, while infants are usually spared. Pinworms live in the lower parts of the small intestine of humans. As far as they are not excreted with the stool, the females migrate out of the anus during the child’s first hour of sleep under the influence of the warmth of the bed to lay their eggs, about 11,000 in number. In the presence of oxygen, these eggs mature within a few hours and become capable of development. The crawling around of the worms causes a violent and annoying itching, the children then scratch their buttocks and thus bring the worm eggs under their fingernails. From the fingers the worm eggs are further smeared and finally get back into the mouth and thus into the gastrointestinal tract of the child. In this way, the child itself repeatedly ensures its reinfection, because new pinworms develop from the swallowed eggs. Through body and bed linen, through room dust and toys, but also through handshakes between children, other children or adults can be infected. A mother or father must always think of the presence of pinworms if their children are conspicuous by their pale appearance, fidgety nature, overstimulation and poor sleep. Wide eye rims and, above all, itching every evening, which tempts the child to scratch, are important signs. If then the worms themselves are observed in the stool, in the laundry or directly at the anus, then the child belongs into the hand of the physician, who can eliminate today with extremely effective medicines these intestine parasites without large difficulties. However, in order to maintain this success and avoid new infections, the greatest attention must be paid to ongoing personal hygiene. Children’s fingernails should be cleaned with a hand brush several times a day and cut very short with nail scissors or clippers. In addition, wearing a small pair of tight-fitting linen pants, which should be boiled out daily, will prevent scratching during the night and thus prevent reinfection. Furthermore, if a child is wormed, the siblings should always be examined as well so that, if necessary, a course of treatment can be administered to all family members at the same time to prevent mutual reinfection among siblings.
Tapeworms
A mother or father must think of the presence of pinworms whenever their children are conspicuous for their pale appearance, fidgety nature, overstimulation and poor sleep. Finally, the tapeworm must be mentioned, which can infect children mostly as a bovine tapeworm after eating raw or insufficiently roasted beef. This intestinal parasite is feared because of its length of 4-10 cm and because of its rapid growth. Within 70 days, the tapeworm reaches a length of 6 meters. The mother or father becomes suspicious when a child loses weight despite a good appetite and the best diet. This suspicion is confirmed by the shedding of white tapeworm limbs about 2 cm long, which look like noodles and which must be shown to the doctor without fail, because the very strenuous tapeworm treatment, preferably also in a hospital, may only be expected of a child under the condition that the proof of a tapeworm is completely certain. Even if the veterinary meat inspection discards finnish meat, only those who never eat raw or insufficiently roasted meat can protect themselves with certainty against a tapeworm. Many parents are concerned about whether they can justify acquiring a dog as a playmate for their young children because they fear infection with the life-threatening dog tapeworm. Such a dog tapeworm occurs however very very rarely. Therefore, it is fair to say that if a dog is kept clean and healthy and is regularly dewormed and examined by a veterinarian, the benefits of educating children to love animals and care for those in need are much greater than the very rare risk of infection by the eggs of the dog tapeworm. Hygienic living, clean care of children and scrupulous cleaning of fruits and vegetables can largely prevent worm infestation in humans. In this respect, too, the health of children is primarily in the hands of their parents.
Complications
When worms are observed in children’s stools, they are usually harmless pinworms. Complications do not usually occur. However, there are very rare exceptions where this does take place. The pinworm infection known as oxyuriasis mostly affects young children. Often, the only symptom of this worm infection is an unbearable itching at the anus at night, because this is when female pinworms crawl out of the anus and lay their eggs there. The child scratches and often becomes re-infected with the eggs if he puts his unwashed fingers in his mouth or does not wash his hands before eating. Thus, an initially successful treatment with anthelmintics can be counteracted again and again. Small children suffer from massive sleep disturbances due to the excruciating itching at the anus. As a result, concentration and behavioral disorders may occur. Some children are therefore dependent on psychological treatment in addition to worm treatment. This should also teach the children behavioral patterns that prevent a new infection. Severe complications are extremely rare. If the worm eggs get into the vagina in girls, a painful inflammation with discharge can occur there. Furthermore, in extremely rare cases, a life-threatening intestinal perforation is possible in the case of a massive infestation of the intestine.
When should you go to the doctor?
A physician should be consulted as soon as activity is noticed in the child’s stool. Movement in the feces is considered a warning sign of the organism and should be discussed with a physician. If the child complains of itching at the anus, if bleeding or spotting is noticed at the exit of the intestine, or if other irregularities are evident in the bowel movements, an investigation of the cause should be made. In case of inner restlessness, behavioral problems, aggressive behavior or mood swings, a doctor should be consulted. If the child’s participation in social life decreases, if changes in the child’s play instinct are noticed, or if sleep disturbances occur, the abnormalities should be investigated. If there is an increase in symptoms or new irregularities, a visit to the doctor is necessary. A reduced performance level an inner irritability as well as diarrhea or constipation are signs of a health impairment. Symptoms should be evaluated by a physician so that a diagnosis can be made and a treatment plan developed. In case of loss of appetite, pain in the area of the upper abdomen, disturbances of concentration as well as nausea, vomiting, fever and cough, a doctor should be consulted. A changed skin appearance, fatigue or a continuous decrease in well-being are further complaints that need to be clarified. Changes in weight, painful inflammation or flu-like symptoms should be discussed with a physician. The child needs medical care to relieve the symptoms.
Follow-up care
A worm medicine works against adult worms in the stool. Eggs and larvae are not eliminated in the process. Therefore, repeated microscopic examination of the stool three to four weeks after the end of therapy is essential. If worms are detected during the examination, the treating physician will administer a worming drug again. The prescribed duration of the drug must be strictly adhered to for successful therapy. A follow-up examination of all family members is also essential. Furthermore, thorough hygiene must be maintained at all times. To counteract a recurrence of the disease, care should be taken to ensure that the child does not put its hands or even its toys in its mouth. The child’s hands should be washed thoroughly with soap after each visit to the toilet, after playing outdoors and before meals. Fingernails are continuously kept short to prevent dirt from getting under the nails. Keeping the child’s anal area clean is of great importance. Lukewarm water with a mild detergent has proven effective. Both bed linen and the child’s underwear and pajamas are changed daily over a long period of time. Washing in the washing machine at at least 60 degrees is useful to specifically kill pathogens. It is also recommended to disinfect toys and door handles.
What you can do yourself
Basically, hygiene should be controlled and optimized in case of worms in the stool. Worn clothes as well as bed linen should be changed and should also be disinfected.Children should be thoroughly washed and nails cleaned. In the case of a worm infestation, it has been shown that the intake of garlic and onions can lead to relief of the symptoms. Parents can give raw garlic cloves to their offspring as a direct food source. Alternatively, garlic and onions can be boiled and added more to meals. Also helpful in fighting worms are crushed pumpkin seeds. These should be mixed with a little honey and eaten in the morning before the first food intake. To combat worm eggs, carrots have proven to be effective. When consuming the vegetable, the organism is supplied with more vitamin A. This vitamin fights the eggs of the pathogens and leads to the fact that the germs are prevented from multiplying. Tapeworms as well as the eggs of the worm genus can be prevented from spreading in the organism by cloves. Cloves are ground into powder and infused with hot water. This creates a tea. After about 10-20 minutes the tea from cloves can be drunk. It has been proven that the tea should be taken three times a day for a period of one week.
