Conditions
Intestinal Worms
It sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but worms really can enter kids’ digestive systems and live there like parasites, feeding off the body. There are many different types of intestinal worms and because children’s immune systems aren’t fully developed, they are at a greater risk of contracting them than adults. So what are the symptoms, where do the worms come from, and what can you do about them?
Intestinal worms, round worms, tapeworms and toxacara worms can all cause a loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, a painful or even distended tummy, fever, coughing, and in the case of the most common UK worm, the threadworm, an uncomfortable itch at night around the anus and/or the vulva. Girls may also experience a vaginal discharge. Though very rare in the UK, toxacara infection also affects the sight. For some kids however, if they have a low number of worms wriggling around their digestive system, there are no specific symptoms.
Kids can catch worms from coming into contact with anything contaminated with worms’ eggs. That can mean the vomit or poo of an infected dog or cat from a litter tray or soil in the garden. The commonest way of ingesting the threadworm is when kids scratch the itchy worm eggs that have been laid round their bottoms at night, and then put their fingers in their mouths.
Once the worms have entered the body they start to lay eggs. The eggs hatch and the worms themselves work their way into the intestine, where more eggs are laid. Threadworms live for about six weeks. In rare cases, the worms can then move round the body and enter other organs such as the lungs or even the brain, in which case the condition is much more serious.
Worms can be passed out when kids go to the toilet, and one way of checking for an infection is to examine the stool, where the long, thin, thread-like worms may be visible.
It sounds unpleasant, but worms are easily treated with anti-parasitic drugs which your doctor can prescribe. Hygiene here is vital. Worm infection is much more prevalent in places where there’s poor sanitation. Teach kids never to handle animal faeces, don’t keep your pet’s litter tray in the kitchen or bathroom, and if you think a pet is the source, make sure it is treated too.
Comments and Questions
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I think I have thread worms because when I went to bed a few nights ago I had a really itchy bum so I put on some nappy rash cream (which I normally do if I have an itchy or sore bum ) and I had white long worms moving on my hand ,what should I do because its making it hard to sleep because its that sore , please help !
You definately have worms. Go to the chemist or pharmacy and buy some thread worm pills which work in 24hours.Tell a parent!
i have had worms on and off and the first time i spotted the white threads, i told my mom and she said if you see them again come and show me. i showed her and they were already dead but she didnt believe me! she never took me to the doctors and now i have tem again, i dont want to tell her! i am 13 and hate them so is it possible for me to book my own doctors appointment or go to the pharmacy and get something that can help over the till. maybe in boots?
I think I have worms. I've had an itchy bum for about 3-4 weeks now, I'm 13. PLEASE HELP! At night its so itchy and just recently its started in my vagina, I scratched it and felt something small I lifted my hand up to find a small white worm like thing, I'm crying so much I'm so worried. I am lying here and I can't sleep because I'm thinking about them. I'm so scared of telling my mum. I'm so so scared please help me.
You must tell your mother so that she can buy you some opex from the chemist. You shouldn't be embarassed-she is your mother.
Hi, my daughter is 7 and has now had worms 3 times. She never puts on weight should i be concerned?
how old you have to be before y ou actually can buy the ovex treatment over the counter?
Last night i found a white tiny worm in my vagina...is this normal or i should go see the doctor..please help me!
i think it might be a case of thread worms ,if you type into google thread worm you can read the info easy to treat with de worming tablets you can get from your chemist ,do tell mum as it is ok it is really common,and the whole family should be treated so reinfection does not occur... all the best
How long does ovex take to work & how long will it stay in my blood stream? i have some blood tests in 2 months, will they know i have taken it? im 14 & also on the pill, so will ovex affect that? please help me!
I Am 13 and I Have Thread Worms I Get So Very Itchy Up My Bum What Should I Do ???? Help me Xx
arround year and a half now my grandson has been getting hives on his skin like his skin gets red and raised and this last year put on about a stone in weight he has been to doctors and was put on medication for the hives dosent make the slightest different and has had a poo test done it came back fine and was making some kind of noise also with his throught there has to be something wrong he is eight we think he must have some kind of parasite
My grandson, who is 11yo has a history of intestinal worms. Despite treatment with Combantrin, they seem to remain. He is not putting on weight at a normal rate. Is there a risk that the problem can escalate? Is it safe to continue to use Combantrin? Or is there a more effective cure.
you should use Opex. Its available at most pharmacies and takes 24hours for the threadworms to completely leve the system. Do not be worried if your grandson is still getting worms just after he's taken the treatment, as it takes 24 hours to fully get rid of the threadworms. All the family should use the treatment to risk getting the hreadworms again.Hope this helps.
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