Everything You Need to Know About Worms in Kids

We have all seen that telltale sign – your little one starts scratching their bottom and squirming around, and seems really unsettled!

Chances are they have a case of worms – which are definitely pretty gross, but also very easy to prevent and treat.

How do kids get Worms?

Threadworm (otherwise known as pinworm) is the most common worm infection in Australia and occurs more often in children than in adults. The worm eggs are what causes most of the discomfort in the anal area, and these are easily contracted from other people or from environments such as bedding, linen, towels, clothing or food contaminated with threadworm eggs. The eggs can actually survive for up to fourteen days without a host (outside the human body)! Children will usually pick up the worm eggs from these areas and then when they put their fingers in their mouths the eggs can enter the body. Once swallowed, the worm eggs move into the stomach where they hatch and grow into adult worms. About a month after the eggs are ingested, the adult female worm moves down the intestines and leaves the body via the anus to lay her eggs, then dies. One thing to remember is that you cannot get this type of worm from your family dog or cat – they have different types of worms!

What do Worms Look Like?

Basically the adult threadworm is a creamy white colour, very thin and grows to approximately 1 centimetre in length. You are usually able to detect the presence of worms by shining a torch light at the anal area (you will be able to see the worms and eggs) and also by using the “sticky tape test”. You can obtain the “sticky tape test kit” from your GP or chemist, and it basically involves applying some tape to the anal area then removing it and sticking it onto the glass slide in the kit provided. Then you can take it to your doctor for diagnosis.

What are the Symptoms?

Sometimes you can have a threadworm infection and see no symptoms at all but when they do occur some of these symptoms can include:

• Itchy bottom, especially at night
• Not eating properly
• Very stinky farts
• Feeling slightly unwell, unsettled and irritable.
• Inflammation of the vagina and sometimes worms in the vaginal area (these are not vaginal worms, they have just travelled from the anal area!)
• Threadworms can sometimes be seen in the faeces, and you may also see the worms and eggs on the skin around the anus.

How do I Treat Threadworm Infections?

The only way to treat threadworm is to go to your chemist and buy some over the counter threadworm treatment medication. You will need to treat your whole family as it’s pretty likely if one of you has worms, the rest of you will too! Special precautions may be given for children under 2 years of age and during pregnancy. You should all take another course of this medication about two weeks later to make sure the threadworms are all gone. The threadworm treatments come in liquid form, tablets or chocolate squares (which my kids love and don’t even realise they are taking medicine!) and should be kept out of the reach of children in your home.

Make sure all bed linen, towels and pyjamas are washed in hot water after discovering a threadworm infection as part of the treatment process. If the medication does not seem to have worked after the second dosage then you should take the whole family to see your doctor for further advice and treatment.

Over the counter preparations include:

How do I Prevent the Worms from Returning?

Prevention is better than cure as they say, and prevention of threadworm is quite simple. Just make sure everyone in your family has good hygiene practices such as washing hands after going to the toilet, changing nappies and before and after eating. Keep everyone’s fingernails short and clean and discourage nail-biting (so worms can’t enter the body!). Regularly change bedlinen and towels and also keep your toilet area clean – disinfect the toilet seat regularly. Do not use over the counter worming treatments as a preventative as this will decrease resistance of the threadworm to the medications when your child does contract threadworms. Only use the worming medication if threadworm is actually there! If you aren’t sure of symptoms or treatment please speak to your GP or pharmacist.

Natural Remedies to Treat Worms

These remedies may or may not work but are worth a try! It is said that eating raw carrots, fresh coconut or fresh garlic regularly can help deter and even kill threadworm. You can also speak to your naturopath regarding some herbal preparations for treatment and prevention of threadworm.

Hopefully after all this, the only worms you will ever encounter again will be the garden variety!

If you become concerned about your child’s symptoms please seek immediate medical attention we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice  https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information.  All information provided is correct at time of publication.