10 Effective Home Remedies For Deworming Kids To Provide Relief

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J u m p To S p e c i f i c Section:

W h e n six-year-old J o h n n y complained o f tummy a c h e in t h e morning, E m i l y thought h e was j u s t cooking u p an e x c u s e to s k i p school. J o h n n y is b a c k from s c h o o l and s t i l l complains o f a t u m m y ache. E m i l y realizes s h e has a cause f o r concern w h e n she f i n d s Johnny’s f a v o r i t e PB&J s a n d w i c h untouched i n his l u n c h bag. A visit t o the d o c t o r ’ s that e v e n i n g reveals t h a t Johnny h a d worms i n his i n t e s t i n e .

I n t e s t i n a l worms i n children a r e common a n d can s p r e a d the i n f e c t i o n quickly. T h e r e f o r e , deworming k i d s as s o o n as y o u notice t h e symptoms i s necessary. M o m J u n c t i o n tells y o u how c h i l d r e n get w o r m s , how y o u can i d e n t i f y the s y m p t o m s and d e w o r m the c h i l d .

W h a t is D e w o r m i n g ?

D e w o r m i n g is a process t h a t involves t h e use o f medication t o remove a n infestation o f worms i n the i n t e s t i n e . The t r e a t m e n t aims a t eliminating t h e worms a n d removing a n y infection t h a t causes d i s c o m f o r t in t h e patient.

S y m p t o m s Of W o r m s In K i d s

O n e of t h e dangers o f intestinal w o r m s is t h a t the s y m p t o m s are s u b t l e , and c a n be o v e r l o o k e d by p a r e n t s . Children a r e vulnerable t o catching i n t e s t i n a l worms a n d may s h o w the f o l l o w i n g signs a n d symptoms w h e n they d o .

A sore t u m m y : your c h i l d may c o m p l a i n of a tummy a c h e .

L o s s of a p p e t i t e : Your c h i l d may l o s e his a p p e t i t e and g o on b o u t s of h u n g e r strikes.

A n e m i a is c o m m o n if t h e child h a s hookworms.

R a s h (usually h i v e s ) , itching i n the a n a l region, e s p e c i a l l y around t h e anus t h r o u g h which t h e worms h a v e entered. T h i s is t y p i c a l l y in t h e case o f pinworms a n d threadworms.

B l o o d in t h e stool a n d diarrhea, a l t h o u g h it i s rare.

I r r i t a b i l i t y and t r o u b l e in s l e e p i n g , due t o discomfort c a u s e d by i t c h i n e s s .

F r e q u e n t urination, p a i n f u l urination.

I n t e s t i n a l worms a f f e c t the c h i l d ’ s nutrition s i g n i f i c a n t l y . If n o t treated i m m e d i a t e l y , they c a n cause m a l n u t r i t i o n and r e s u l t in s i g n i f i c a n t weight l o s s .

H o w Do C h i l d r e n Get W o r m s ?

C h i l d r e n are m o r e vulnerable t h a n adults t o intestinal w o r m s . They m a y unwittingly a l l o w the w o r m s to e n t e r their b o d i e s through a simple a c t of w a l k i n g barefoot o n the g r a s s . Other w a y s in w h i c h your k i d s can c a t c h these w o r m s are:

T h e i n f e c t e d soil is t h e most c o m m o n cause o f worms i n children. S o i l that i s damp a n d wet i s breeding g r o u n d for v a r i o u s worms i n c l u d i n g helminths p a r a s i t e s that e n t e r the h u m a n body.

U n h y g i e n i c surroundings and h a b i t s such a s not w a s h i n g hands a f t e r defecation c a n cause i n t e s t i n a l worms.

U n d e r c o o k e d food a n d fruits o r vegetables i n f e c t e d with w o r m s, raw o r u n d e r c o o k e d meat, especially p o r k , may h a v e worms t h a t can i n f e s t even t h e brain.

F r o m infected a n i m a l s , pets w i t h ticks a n d worms, c a t t l e and f i s h that l i v e in t h e same p r e m i s e s as t h e child.

C h i l d r e n can a l s o acquire w o r m s from o t h e r kids a n d adults, i f they a r e unhygienic. W o r m eggs c a n live u n d e r fingernails, a n d can b e easily p a s s e d on t o another p e r s o n if n o t washed o f f .

D a n g e r s of W o r m s in C h i l d r e n

C h i l d r e n are m o r e at r i s k of g e t t i n g infected b y worms. I f left u n t r e a t e d , the w o r m s can s p r e a d the i n f e c t i o n throughout t h e body. T h e worms a r e parasites w h i c h feed o f f the h o s t ’ s body a n d eventually r e s u l t in m a l n u t r i t i o n , affecting t h e healthy g r o w t h of t h e child.

I n t e s t i n a l worms a l s o multiply w i t h i n the b o d y by l a y i n g eggs, w h i c h cannot b e easily r e m o v e d by m e d i c i n e s . So i t is i m p o r t a n t to g e t your c h i l d dewormed f r e q u e n t l y , at l e a s t once e v e r y six m o n t h s . Talk t o your d o c t o r to g e t a b e t t e r understanding o f the d o s a g e and t h e frequency o f deworming.

D i a g n o s i n g Worms I n Kids

T u m m y ache, t i r e d n e s s , and d i a r r h e a can b e symptoms o f other i l l n e s s e s as w e l l . To m a k e sure t h a t they a r e signs o f worms i n the c h i l d , your d o c t o r may c o n d u c t a f e w tests a n d exams.

T h e S t i c k y Tape T e s t is a standard e x a m that y o u r doctor m a y perform t o check f o r worms i n the k i d . In t h i s , a p i e c e of t a p e is s t u c k to t h e child’s b o t t o m , to c o l l e c t the w o r m eggs, i f any. T h e tape i s sent t o the l a b o r a t o r y for t e s t i n g to d e t e r m i n e the e x i s t e n c e of w o r m s .

W o r m s leave e g g s under fingernails so t h e doctor c o u l d check t h e m for s i g n s .

S t o o l examination can a l s o reveal t h e existence o f worms i n the i n t e s t i n e s .

A n ultrasound may b e recommended i n case o f severe w o r m infestation.

T r e a t m e n t For W o r m s In C h i l d r e n

T h e treatment f o r worm i n f e c t i o n s varies o n the t y p e of w o r m that h a s infested t h e intestines. Y o u r doctor m a y give a n t h e l m i n t i c drugs t h a t are a v a i l a b l e in t h e form o f syrup f o r toddlers a n d tablets f o r older k i d s . Some o f the c o m m o n l y used m e d i c i n e s for w o r m s in c h i l d r e n include:

Mebendazole is u s e d to t r e a t a v a r i e t y of w o r m infections i n children.

Pyrantel is a n o t h e r safe d e w o r m i n g medicine f o r kids t h a t your d o c t o r may p r e s c r i b e .

F o r older k i d s , you c a n try a safe a n d reputed w o r m medicine l i k e R e e s e ’ s Pinworm medicine.

Z e n t e l 400mg worming m e d i c i n e can b e prescribed t o kids o v e r two y e a r s of a g e .

Z e n t e l Suspension is a deworming s y r u p for k i d s aged u n d e r two y e a r s .

T h e deworming t a b l e t s for k i d s usually k i l l the p a r a s i t e s without c a u s i n g any d a m a g e to t h e host, i n this c a s e , your c h i l d . The t r e a t m e n t period i s typically s h o r t , and l a s t s not m o r e than a few d a y s . Sometimes, a single d o s e of M e b e n d a z o l e is e n o u g h to r i d the c h i l d of w o r m s .

A v o i d relying o n over-the-counter w o r m medicine f o r kids a s they m a y not b e suitable f o r toddlers a n d young k i d s . Always v i s i t the d o c t o r and f o l l o w the d o s a g e and t r e a t m e n t regimen t o rid t h e child o f worms. E v e n better, c h o o s e to d e w o r m your c h i l d r e n as a precaution t o prevent a n y infestation a t all.

H o m e Remedies F o r Deworming A Child

A l o n g with m e d i c a t i o n s , natural r e m e d i e s can h e l p ease t h e discomfort t h a t your c h i l d may b e going t h r o u g h due t o worm i n f e c t i o n in t h e body. T h e s e may n o t necessarily c u r e the c h i l d of w o r m s , but t h e y can a i d the t r e a t m e n t and p r e v e n t infections.

1 . Garlic is a natural d e w o r m e r for k i d s . It i s known t o be a n effective r e m e d y against p a r a s i t i c a l worms. R a w garlic h a s amino a c i d s containing s u l f u r , which c a n kill p a r a s i t e s and r i d them f r o m the b o d y .

E a t i n g three c l o v e s of r a w garlic o n an e m p t y stomach c a n help f l u s h out i n t e s t i n a l worms.

D r i n k milk, b o i l e d with t w o crushed g a r l i c pods, e v e r y day.

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2 . Unripe P a p a y a has a n enzyme c a l l e d papain, w h i c h acts a s an a n t h e l m i n t i c to d e s t r o y the w o r m s in t h e intestine. A l s o , papaya s e e d s are u s e d to e x p e l worms f r o m the s t o m a c h .

G r o u n d the p a p a y a seeds a n d mix a tablespoon o f that i n warm m i l k or w a t e r . Get y o u r child t o drink i t first t h i n g in t h e morning, f o r three d a y s in a row.

M i x one t a b l e s p o o n of r a w papaya a n d one t a b l e s p o o n of h o n e y in w a r m milk o r water. D r i n k i n g this o n an e m p t y stomach h e l p s remove i n t e s t i n a l worms.

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3 . Carom s e e d s are r i c h in t h y m o l , which h e l p s in p r e v e n t i n g the g r o w t h of i n t e s t i n a l worms. T h e seeds w o r k well i n eliminating t h e s e parasites w h e n combined w i t h jaggery.

S t a r t the d a y by e a t i n g a s m a l l piece o f jaggery, o r one t e a s p o o n of p o w d e r e d jaggery o n an e m p t y stomach.

A f t e r 15 m i n u t e s , eat a quarter s p o o n of c r u s h e d carom s e e d s with w a t e r .

R e p e a t the r o u t i n e for 1 5 days t o flush o u t any w o r m s .

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4 . Pumpkin S e e d s can h e l p in r e m o v i n g intestinal p a r a s i t e s , according t o a s t u d y by t h e University o f Maryland M e d i c a l Center ( 1 ) . The s e e d s have c u c u r b i t a c i n , a c o m p o u n d than c a n paralyze t h e pests a n d prevent t h e m from s u r v i v i n g in t h e body.

E a t a s p o o n f u l or r o a s t e d pumpkin s e e d s with a spoonful o f honey.

B o i l a s p o o n f u l of p e e l e d and c r u s h e d pumpkin s e e d s in t h r e e cups o f water. L e t it s t e e p for h a l f an h o u r . Drink i t once i t cools d o w n .

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5 . Bitter g o u r d can a l s o help f i g h t the w o r m s in t h e tummy. M i x a c u p of b i t t e r gourd j u i c e with w a t e r and h o n e y and g i v e it t o the c h i l d at l e a s t twice a day.

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6 . Indian L i l a c o r Neem h a s anti-parasitical p r o p e r t i e s and c a n destroy d i f f e r e n t intestinal w o r m s .

M i x powdered n e e m leaves i n warm m i l k and h o n e y and d r i n k it t w i c e a w e e k .

R o a s t neem l e a v e s in c l a r i f i e d butter a n d eat i t with r i c e or b r e a d .

M i x half t e a s p o o n of n e e m leaf p a s t e in a glass o f warm w a t e r and d r i n k it o n an e m p t y stomach e v e r y day f o r a w e e k . Do t h i s every a l t e r n a t e week u n t i l the w o r m s are g o n e .

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7 . Carrots have v i t a m i n A, w h i c h helps i n boosting t h e child’s i m m u n i t y and e n a b l i n g him t o fight a n y intestinal p a r a s i t e s before t h e y get a hold o f the b o d y . Eating c a r r o t s on a n empty s t o m a c h can h e l p in c l e a r i n g the w o r m s .

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8 . Turmeric is a n internal a n t i s e p t i c and h e l p s in e l i m i n a t i n g all k i n d s of i n t e s t i n a l worms. D r i n k a g l a s s of w a r m water m i x e d with o n e spoon o f turmeric o n c e every d a y , for f i v e days. Y o u can a l s o add t u r m e r i c to b u t t e r m i l k and t a k e it f o r a w e e k to d e s t r o y intestinal w o r m s .

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9 . Coconut has v e r y strong a n t i – p a r a s i t i c properties t h a t make i t effective i n treating w o r m s . You c a n use t h e fruit o r its o i l to e r a d i c a t e the w o r m s .

L e t your c h i l d eat a tablespoon o f grated c o c o n u t each d a y with b r e a k f a s t . Continue t h i s home r e m e d y for a week t o see r e s u l t s .

E x t r a virgin c o c o n u t oil c o n t a i n s medium c h a i n triglycerides t h a t will h e l p remove t h e worms f r o m your c h i l d ’ s body. L e t your c h i l d have f o u r to s i x teapoons o f coconut o i l each m o r n i n g for a week. I t will a l s o boost y o u r child’s i m m u n i t y and p r e v e n t a w o r m infestation f r o m recurring.

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1 0 . Cloves not o n l y destroy e x i s t i n g intestinal w o r m s and t h e i r eggs, b u t can a l s o prevent a n y future i n f e s t a t i o n s .

A d d a t e a s p o o n of c l o v e s to a cup o f hot w a t e r and l e t it s t e e p for 2 0 minutes.

D r i n k this w a t e r three t i m e s a w e e k to s t a y free o f worms.

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T h e s e remedies c a n help a l l e v i a t e the i n f e c t i o n , but m a y not c u r e it c o m p l e t e l y . They a r e not a replacement f o r prescription m e d i c a t i o n s .

6 Tips to P r e v e n t Worms i n Children

K i d s who p l a y in t h e dirt, s a n d , grass, a n d other o p e n areas a r e likely t o get w o r m s someway o r the o t h e r . While w o r m s can b e easily e l i m i n a t e d through d e w o r m i n g , it i s best t o prevent w o r m infections a s far a s possible. H e r e are a few t i p s that c a n limit t h e chances o f intestinal w o r m s in k i d s .

W a s h the f r u i t s and v e g e t a b l e thoroughly b e f o r e using t h e m . Check t h e m for a n y worm i n f e s t a t i o n s before u s i n g . Do n o t eat t h e fruit o r vegetable, e v e n if o n l y a p a r t of i t is i n f e s t e d .

D o not e a t unwashed s a l a d s , semi-cooked v e g e t a b l e s or m e a t .

A v o i d eating r a w meats, e s p e c i a l l y pork a n d fish w h i c h are k n o w n to h a v e worms i n them.

D o not l e t the k i d s play b a r e f o o t in t h e grass, m u d , or o t h e r outdoor a r e a s .

D r i n k boiled w a t e r every t i m e , avoid d r i n k i n g from p u b l i c tanks u n l e s s you a r e certain i t is s a f e .

U s e swimming p o o l s that d o meet t h e hygiene r e q u i r e m e n t s .

T h e s e precautions m a y not e l i m i n a t e the c h a n c e of y o u r kid g e t t i n g worms, b u t only m i n i m i z e it.

FAQs

1 . My c h i l d keeps g e t t i n g worms. W h a t should I do?

R e g u l a r deworming i s necessary t o prevent r e c u r r e n c e of i n t e s t i n a l worms i n kids. T a l k to y o u r doctor a b o u t regular t r e a t m e n t to g e t rid o f the p a r a s i t e s .

2 . How o f t e n should I deworm m y child?

I f the p r e v a l e n c e of h e l m i n t h infections t r a n s m i t t e d by s o i l is o v e r 20 p e r c e n t , the t r e a t m e n t should b e given o n c e a y e a r . If i t is m o r e than 5 0 % , then t h e treatment s h o u l d be g i v e n twice a year, a s recommended b y the W H O (2).

3 . Can b a b i e s get w o r m s ?

Y e s . Babies, r e g a r d l e s s of t h e age, c a n get w o r m s . Deworming i s essential t o prevent a n d eliminate w o r m infections i n the i n t e s t i n e s .

4 . Is t h e r e a s p e c i f i c age f o r deworming? W h o should b e dewormed?

D e w o r m i n g is e s s e n t i a l for p r e s c h o o l children, c h i l d r e n going t o school, a n d even w o m e n of c h i l d – b e a r i n g age. P r e g n a n t women m a y also h a v e to g e t themselves d e w o r m e d in t h e second a n d third t r i m e s t e r s , and d u r i n g breastfeeding o n c e the b a b y is b o r n .

5 . What d o worms i n children l o o k like?

P i n w o r m s are t h e most c o m m o n ones i n kids. T h e s e worms l o o k like a quarter-inch d e n t a l floss a n d are v i s i b l e to t h e naked e y e . You c a n see t h e s e tiny w o r m s wiggling i n stool a n d the a n u s .

6 . Are t h e r e any s i d e effects o f deworming c h i l d r e n ?

I n general, w o r m i n g medicines a r e well t o l e r a t e d by c h i l d r e n and h a v e no s i d e effects. S o m e t i m e s , there m a y be m i l d side e f f e c t s of d e w o r m i n g medications i n c l u d i n g nausea, v o m i t i n g , dizziness, a n d headache f o r a s h o r t period.

T h e worms t h a t your l i t t l e one c a t c h e s could b e big a n d visible t o the n a k e d eye, o r microscopic. R e g a r d l e s s , they h a v e the p o t e n t i a l to c r e a t e irreparable d a m a g e if n e g l e c t e d . Watch o u t for t h e symptoms l i s t e d here a n d make s u r e your c h i l d gets d e w o r m e d as s o o n as p o s s i b l e . The s o o n e r you d o , the l e s s e r you h a v e to w o r r y .

W a n t to s h a r e how y o u dealt w i t h intestinal w o r m s in y o u r child? T e l l us a b o u t it i n the c o m m e n t s section.

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