Pinworms in children. Symptoms and treatment, photos, what they look like, drugs Vermox, Nemozol, Pirate pills, folk remedies

Pinworms are white roundworms (helminths) that live and reproduce in the human intestine. More often parasites are found in children, because they are curious and learn the world around them by any means.

After infection, characteristic symptoms appear, which should be addressed to a pediatrician. The specialist will prescribe an examination and treatment, taking into account the condition of the baby and the degree of damage to his body.

Pinworm species

The pinworm is a worm from the genus of nematodes. The main feature of parasites is a long pointed tail, also a swollen esophagus of a specific shape. Parasites live and multiply in the human body, provoke the development of enterobiasis and in 95% of cases are transmitted by contact.

There are the following types of pinworms:

Name	Description
Enterobius vermicularis	Parasites live exclusively in the large intestine. The length of the male is 5 mm, of the female 12 mm. Pinworms enter the human body mainly through the oral route. They live and reproduce in the small and large intestine. Oviposition is carried out by the female in the area of ​​the folds of the anus. Due to the adhesive composition, severe itching occurs. This is the first symptom due to which one can suspect infection of the body with parasites.
Enterobius anthropopitheci	The worms are smaller. The length of the female does not exceed 5 mm. The habitat of pinworms is also the intestines. But this type of parasite is more common in apes - chimpanzees.
Enterobius gregorii	The existence of this species of pinworms has not been fully proven, since Enterobius gregorii is identical to Enterobius vermicularis.

Enterobius vermicularis is more often diagnosed in children. Pinworm eggs outside their host's body can continue to live for another 3-4 weeks. Thanks to the sticky surface, they get on clothes, linen, furniture, toys. Animals are also carriers of parasite eggs. They themselves do not get sick, but carry parasites on their fur.

Stages and degrees of infection

Pinworms in children (symptoms and treatment are determined by the pediatrician after examining the patient) develop in the rectum, starting from the first day, they grow and live there.

The complete cycle is 30 days and is divided into 4 main stages:

Name	Description
Fertilization	This is the first stage when the male of the parasite inseminates the female and dies. The whole process begins in the large intestine of the human body.
Laying eggs	This is the second stage, when the female pinworm leaves the rectum and looks for a place to lay eggs (folds of the anus, perineum, groin or area near the vagina). After laying eggs, the female dies. In the indicated places, itching and burning sensation appears, intensifying at night.
Maturation of larvae	This is the third stage when the larvae fully mature.
Infection	When the female crawls out of the rectum, severe itching appears. A man is trying to get rid of it, itches. As a result, immature parasite larvae remain under the nails. If you do not wash your hands after this process, pinworms remain on clothes, food, dishes, everywhere a person touches.

Through the oral cavity, the larvae penetrate the small intestine. There they mature completely within 2 weeks and are already ready for a new fertilization. Thus, the life cycle of the parasite repeats itself.

Symptoms

Clinical signs after pinworm infection will help the doctor establish a preliminary diagnosis and prescribe the most informative diagnostic method for the child. Based on the results obtained, select a safe and effective treatment.

Pinworms provoke the following clinical symptoms:

Name	Description
Severe itching near the anus	The discomfort is more disturbing at night or in the morning. Against the background of intense irritation, the risk of secondary infection increases.
Poor appetite	Parasites negatively affect the immunity of the child's body and material metabolism. Decreased appetite is accompanied by weight loss, sometimes nausea.
Sleep disturbance	The baby becomes restless, constantly tossing and turning, salivation increases and nightmares torment.
Stool problems	Irritation of the mucous membrane leads to constipation, which is followed by diarrhea.
Increased emotionality	The toxins released by parasites negatively affect the nervous system.
Allergic reaction	A rash appears on the baby's body, irritation as a result of the release of the waste products of pinworms.
Teeth grinding	A sign of infection with worms in children, which often manifests itself at night.

At each stage of the development of pinworms, a child has certain clinical signs:

Name	Symptoms
Mild degree	moderate itching in the evening and at night, passing after a couple of days; uncomfortable sensations appear again after 2-3 weeks.
Average degree	severe itching; the development of dermatitis, infection and trauma to the affected tissues as a result of strong scratching; pain in the abdomen; stool disorders (diarrhea with mucous impurities); punctate hemorrhages on the mucous surface of the sphincter; the formation of small ulcers.
Severe degree	against the background of intoxication, severe headaches, dizziness appear; increased fatigue; in some situations, attacks of neurasthenia appear; vulvovaginitis and gonorrheal inflammation develop when pinworms penetrate the organs of the female reproductive system; appetite worsens; an allergic reaction to the skin appears.

The kid also gets tired quickly, is capricious and constantly tends to sleep. If any of the symptoms described appears, you should contact your pediatrician. The specialist will conduct an examination and prescribe a diagnosis. If necessary, he will send a parasitologist for a consultation.

Causes

The main reason for infection of a child's body with pinworms is dirty hands.

There are the following ways of infection with helminths:

Name	Description
Oral	The eggs of the worms enter the mouth through the fingernails, which the child used to comb the itchy skin in the anal area.
Contact	Infection of the body occurs during close contact directly with an infected person (handshake, hugs during games).
Domestic	The eggs of parasites persist for a long time on dishes, clothes, bedding.

The parasites themselves do not live on the wool of domestic or street animals, but their eggs may be there.

Pinworms in children (symptoms and treatment depend on the degree of damage to internal organs) are the causative agents of enterobiasis. Pathology is also called the "dirty hands" disease.

There are numerous provoking factors that increase the risk of infection in a child's body:

• non-observance of simple hygiene rules (the child must be taught to wash his hands before eating, after the street and after the toilet);
• games with animals, on the wool of which there may be helminth eggs;
• violation of personal hygiene (wash the child and change underwear every day);

Adults cannot live long outside the body of their host. But in order to completely get rid of the parasites, it is necessary to remove the pinworm eggs. Contamination can also be caused by dirty foods (vegetables, fruits, herbs). They should be washed well before use, in some situations even heat treatment should be carried out.

Diagnostics

If a parasitic infection is suspected, children are recommended to carry out the following diagnostic measures:

Name	Description
General blood analysis	The results will show an increased level of eosinophils, which is an allergic reaction to a worm infection.
Scraping	The test material is taken in the morning before washing and defecating from the perianal area. The results will show the presence of pinworm eggs.
Scotch test	Scotch tape is glued to the perianal area, removed and then specialists study it in laboratory conditions for the detection of parasite eggs.
Linked immunosorbent assay	It is prescribed to the patient if the results of the stool analysis are doubtful.
Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the abdominal cavity	A diagnostic method that will not help to identify pinworms directly, but will make it possible to determine minor signs of the presence of parasites. The specialist assesses the degree of damage to internal organs, as well as the place of accumulation of helminths.

Stool analysis is not an effective test because pinworms do not lay eggs in the intestines. It is important to differentiate the infection of the child's body with parasites, since many diseases are accompanied by similar clinical signs.

When to see a doctor

Pinworms are more common in children (symptoms and treatment require medical diagnosis) than in adults. This is due to the fact that children do not know how to adhere to the rules of hygiene, they get to know the world around them by all available methods.

A specialized specialist - a helminthologist is engaged in the treatment of worms. But in most cases, there are general clinical signs with which parents turn to the pediatrician. The specialist prescribes an examination and, based on the results obtained, refers to a parasitologist or selects an effective treatment.

Prophylaxis

There is always a risk of re-infection with parasites.

Simple rules that parents should remember will help prevent infection of the child's body:

1. Wash your child in the morning and evening.
2. Teach the kid to wash their hands after the street, toilet.
3. Trim your child's nails.
4. Use insect repellents, they are also carriers of parasites.
5. In summer, prohibit the child from swimming in muddy waters.
6. It is recommended to change bedding and underwear every day.
7. Iron baby clothes on both sides after washing.
8. Exclude contact of the child with sick children and animals.
9. Clothes should be washed in hot water.
10. The child's toys must be clean. If necessary, they should be treated with soap or soda solution.
11. Wet frills more often in the house.

If one family member is infected, everyone should be treated to prevent infection. Do not give children raw tap water, wash thoroughly and pour boiling water over vegetables and fruits. Meat and fish dishes should be well done.

Treatment methods

The therapy regimen is drawn up taking into account the patient's age and the degree of damage to his body. It is important to choose the safest and most effective medicines. In the absence of serious contraindications and individual sensitivity, you can use the recipes of healers and healers. All the means used should be agreed with the doctor. Lack of therapy has serious consequences.

Medications

Treatment of pinworms is selected by a pediatrician, taking into account the condition of the child, the existing symptoms and the individual characteristics of the child's body. It is forbidden to give medicines to children on your own in order to avoid serious adverse reactions.

For the treatment of pinworms in a child, the following drugs are used:

Name	Application	Efficiency	Price, rub.)
Vermox	A single dose is 25-50 mg, depending on the age of the child. It is recommended to repeat the course of therapy in 3-4 weeks.	The medicine depletes and kills the worms. It removes parasites from the child's body in a natural way. Vermox inhibits the absorption of carbohydrates by parasites.	99,0
Nemozole	Depending on the age of the child, the dosage is 10-20 mg. The medicine should be taken once with a meal.	The active ingredients destroy the mucous membrane of the parasite's esophagus. Glucose is poorly absorbed, biochemical processes are disrupted. Decreases muscle activity and mobility of the parasite.	176,0
Pirantel	The pediatric dosage is 10 mg / kg as a single dose. Re-treatment is carried out after 3 weeks.	The medicine paralyzes the neuromuscular system of the parasite and removes it from the child's body.	27,0
Albendazole	The single dosage depends on the age of the children. Patients are prescribed 200-400 mg.	Degenerative processes in the intestines of the parasite at the cellular level cause the death of the helminth.	187,0
Piperazine	A single pediatric dosage depends on the age of the patient. The doctor prescribes 0.3-3 g.	The drug paralyzes the muscles of the parasite, reducing its motor activity.	15,0

In addition to anthelmintic drugs, patients are prescribed symptomatic treatment to alleviate the child's condition:

Drug group	Name	Application
Sorbents	Enterosgel, Polysorb	The drugs remove toxins and waste products of pinworms from the body. Children's dosage depends on the patient's age and is 7.5-15 g. The medicine is taken 3 times a day. The standard course of therapy lasts 3-5 days. Chronic or allergic conditions take 2-3 weeks.
Probiotics	Linex, Bifidumbacterin	Medicines help restore the beneficial intestinal microflora after treatment with anthelmintic drugs. Children are advised to use the drug in drops. The dosage is 6 drops. per day, can be added to drinks or milk. The course of therapy lasts 28 days.
Antihistamines	Cetrin, Loratadin	Medicines are prescribed to patients when an allergic reaction occurs. Children's dosage is 5-10 mg per day.

In addition, for local treatment, the pediatrician recommends the use of zinc ointment. Lubricate the area of ​​the anus with it before bedtime. It is important to strictly adhere to the prescriptions or carefully read the instructions for use in order to prevent the occurrence of side effects.

Folk methods

Pinworms in children (symptoms and treatment depend on the stage of development of parasites, as well as the degree of damage to the body) can be removed by unconventional means. But some recipes of healers and healers cannot completely rid the body of worms. It is necessary to carry out complex treatment, strictly after consulting a pediatrician.

It is important to consider the likelihood of an allergic reaction or individual sensitivity to the components used.

Effective recipes for pinworms in children:

Name	Recipe	Application
Pumpkin seeds with milk	Pour 10-15 seeds with husks, previously crushed, with milk (200 ml).	The medicine is recommended to be given to children in the morning, before meals.
Herbal collection	Mix in equal parts calamus root and elecampane, thyme, mint (50 g each). Add to them 25 g of walnut leaves, 10 g of wormwood. Mix all components well and 2 tbsp. pour the resulting collection with hot water (0.5 l). Close the container, cool and strain the broth.	The resulting medicine is given to the child in 100 ml 2-3 times a day.
Soda enema	Warm boiled water (1 tbsp.) Pour 0.5 tsp. soda.	The enema cleanses the intestines and removes the worms from the body. The procedure is carried out in the evening for 7 days.
Watermelon seeds	Seeds (2-3 tablespoons) pre-grind and add water (200 ml). Remedy to insist and strain.	It is recommended to give the finished medicine to children in the morning and in the evening after meals in an hour.
Thyme	Pour dry grass (90 g) into a thermos, add hot water (450 ml). Infuse the resulting mixture for 3 hours, strain and take orally.	The recommended dosage is 0.5 tbsp. After 2.5 hours. it is necessary to drink a saline solution (for 200 ml of water, 5 g of salt).

Fennel and mint help flush parasites out of the body in a short time. The same goes for beet juice, which is recommended to be consumed on an empty stomach for 2-3 weeks. Parasites don't like sauerkraut pickle. Cabbage, fermented for no more than 30 days, has the most medicinal properties.

Other methods

Comprehensive treatment of pinworms in children involves adherence to dietary nutrition. It is necessary to exclude from the diet foods that will irritate the intestinal mucosa. The same goes for foods that increase the risk of an allergic reaction.

Allowed Products	Prohibited foods
well washed greens, salad vegetables and fruits legumes, peas, beans linseed and sesame oil eggs nuts (other than peanuts) white cabbage and cauliflower, broccoli white meat (chicken, turkey, rabbit) fish soups, cereals	red meat potatoes, beets, carrots flour products buckwheat, pasta mushrooms sugar yeast products dairy dried fruits bananas and grapes

It is recommended to soak frozen berries and fruits in clean water before use, pour over with boiling water. Sweets are strictly forbidden to children during the treatment period. It is allowed to give honey without sugar and molasses.

Possible complications

Negative consequences are revealed more often in children from disadvantaged families, when not simple rules for the treatment and prevention of parasites were followed:

Name	Description
Vulvovaginitis	A disease that develops if pinworms enter the vagina and urethra.
Inflammation of the rectum	Irritation appears. Intense itching in the anal area leads to fissures.
Dysbacteriosis	It develops against the background of inhibition of the beneficial intestinal microflora by parasites.
Inflammatory process in the intestine	The main reason is the negative effect of parasites on the mucous membrane.
Appendicitis	The child is worried about acute pain in the abdomen on the right side. This is due to the accumulation of worms in the cecum. The womb becomes inflamed, in this situation the patient is indicated for urgent surgical intervention.
Peritonitis	The main reason lies not only in the rupture of appendicitis, but also in the massive infection with worms. Through the intestinal wall, they penetrate into the abdominal cavity and provoke the development of pathological processes.
Proctitis	The disease is characterized by an inflammatory process in the rectal area. Pathology affects the mucous membrane.
Eczema, acute dermatitis	The skin becomes inflamed. Diseases are accompanied by rashes and severe itching.

An allergic reaction is also a consequence of the development and reproduction of helminths in the child's body.

A pediatrician will help determine pinworms in children. It is necessary to undergo a complete examination, taking into account the symptoms that have appeared. Treatment is selected based on the results obtained. You should not give your child medications on your own that can provoke complications.

Article design: Vladimir the Great

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