As parents, it is very important to recognize the signs of intestinal worms in children. This is because worms are one of the infectious diseases that are still a health problem for the people of Indonesia, especially in children.
Worms often occur in children aged 5-10 years. Although this disease can be treated with deworming medication, the possibility of recurrence of this infection is still prone to occur, especially if no preventive measures are taken.
Signs of Worms in Children You Need to Know
The sticking of worm eggs on a child's hands or feet, which is then swallowed and enters the body, is one of the most common ways of transmitting worm infections in children.
Most cases of intestinal worms can show no serious signs. However, in some conditions, there are typical signs of worms that can be recognized, namely:
- Itching around the anus, especially at night.
- Restlessness or discomfort during sleep, due to frequent scratching around the anus.
- Easily angered and irritated.
- Redness or irritation of the skin around the anus.
- Often feel sick to the stomach.
- Lack of appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
Not only that, some types of worms can also be seen when a child is defecating or in a child's anus. One type of worm looks like small white thread-like pieces with a staple-like shape measuring about 2-13 mm.
How to Overcome Worms in Children
Basically, the way to deal with worms is to break the chain of transmission of worms by implementing a clean and healthy lifestyle and taking worm medicine.
The application of a clean and healthy lifestyle can be done in the following ways:
1. Wash your hands regularly with soap
Teach children to wash their hands properly, to reduce the risk of catching or spreading worm eggs. Get used to children to wash their hands, especially after playing, before and after using the bathroom, and before and after eating.
2. Always wear clean clothes
Also get used to the child to always wear clean clothes and change clothes every day.
3. Trim nails when they are long.
Trim your child's nails regularly, especially when they are long, so there is not enough room for worm eggs to grow.
4. Using footwear
When children play and leave the house, use clean and comfortable footwear. This is to reduce the risk of transmitting helminth infections to children.
5. Wash clothes with hot water
You can also use hot water to wash sheets, nightwear, underwear, and towels, to kill any worm eggs that may be stuck. Then, dry it in the hot sun or tumble dryer on a hot temperature.
In addition, as much as possible prevent the child from scratching the anus if it itches, and pay attention to the cleanliness of the food consumed.
Furthermore, if the child appears to be experiencing symptoms of worms, giving deworming medicine can be the solution. Several types of deworming to choose from are: mebendazole, albendazole, and pyrantel pamoate.
If you see signs of worms in your child, it is advisable to see a doctor. In addition, if your child has recovered from intestinal worms, prevent the disease from coming back by adopting a healthy and clean lifestyle.