Worm Infection In Children

1. Coming in contact with infected surface: The worms and their eggs are capable of surviving up to two weeks without feeding. Some of the most common places where your kid may contract worm infestation are:
   • soil containing worms or eggs – in playground or outdoor play
   • touching pets or their excrement infected with worms
2. Inadequate hand washing: It’s difficult to keep young kids from putting things in their mouth. If your kid is suffering from worms, there will be itching around anus, particularly in case of pin worms. During scratching, the eggs of the worms come in contact with the skin on hand, which wherever touched tends to spread. The worst scenario is when kids put that hand back in the mouth, such as for thumb sucking or pleasure. Read more about children and
3. Improper hygiene: Unwashed bedding, undergarments, filth in the room all present breeding room for worms and their eggs. Someone who has not washed hands properly can also pose a risk for others as worm eggs can stay on fingernails which can be passed to you child through touching
4. Consuming infected food or water: It is very important to wash vegetables and fruits before consumption as worm eggs can be on them. Raw or under-cooked food also carries a risk of worm infestation. Contaminated water is again a very common source of worm infestation

Worm Infection Treatment

The treatment of worm infection is quite simple and often required a course of anti-parasitic medicine to be followed. Anti-worm medications or de-worming treatments are easily available as over-the-counter medications, but exercise caution when administering medicines to your child. Since worm infections can hinder growth and development of your kid, it’s best to obtain professional advice from the physician. Moreover, not all OTC medicines may be advisable for a baby less than 2 years of age. The physician may perform certain tests, consider symptoms and prescribe suitable medication depending on the diagnosis. Hygiene alone will prevent the further growth of worms and assumes a lot of importance. Hygiene complemented with medication will expedite recovery.

Preventing Worm Infection In Children

Yes, you can prevent worm infections. Hygiene here is crucial. Teach your kids basic hygiene habits and educate them about worms entering their body and making them sick. Below are a few more tips on keeping worm infestation at bay:

1. Inculcate the habit of frequently and thoroughly washing the hands with a good antibacterial soap
2. It’s a good idea to introduce hand sanitizer to the apple of your eyes
3. Teach your kid to drink clean, filtered or boiled water. Practice the same at home
4. Make sure your kids change their undergarments daily
5. Wash their bedding, pillow covers, blanket etc. regularly
6. Sterilize your toddler’s toys
7. Encourage your kid to play in dry areas and not splash in muddy puddles as these horde millions of germs
8. Make sure that your the veggies and meat are thoroughly cooked before you serve them to your kid
9. Keep your kid’s nails well trimmed. Show them how dirt collects under long fingernails and must be kept clean
10. Washing hands thoroughly before eating anything should be the rule!
11. Teach potty hygiene
12. Do not share towels and undergarments
13. Teach your kid to shower regularly. Practice thorough cleaning of private parts
14. Clean your house thoroughly and with proper disinfectants
15. Allow plenty of sunshine in your kid’s room. Some worms are sensitive to light and nothing better than letting the sun do this job!

If untreated, worm infections may sometimes take a serious form of blocking intestine, attacking other organs and inhibiting your child’s growth. The good news is that these can be largely prevented. Just make sure that your hygiene mantra doesn’t hamper his childhood play!