Safety & Care
Updated on 3 November 2023
Medically Reviewed by
Dt. Mansi Goyal
Specializes in Critical Gestational Diabetes, PCOS Patients - BSC| MSC (Home Science, Food & Nutrition)
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As a mother, the last thing you want to deal with is your baby's body being invaded by worms. But it's common for children to contract worm infections. The worms reside in the intestine of your baby, and their survival depends upon the child's diet. Hence, it becomes necessary to be educated about the types of worms that can make a home in your baby's body, what these worms can do there, how your baby got these worms, and how you can bid goodbye to these parasites.
Worms that make their home in children can be of different types. Some of the most common types of worms that infect babies are:
Hooks and suckers on the end of tapeworms allow them to cling to the intestines and reproduce on partially digested food. The majority of the time, children ingest them through contaminated food.
Roundworm infection is caused by a worm, which can be found in the soil. They have a hollow form and can grow to be 35 cm in length if left unattended. Roundworms can be found in saltwater, soil, and fresh water.
Hookworms are most commonly associated with poor sanitation. It is these worms that attach themselves to the gut walls that are causing the problem. When a youngster comes into contact with contaminated dirt, they may get a hookworm infection.
Most of the time, worm infections do not exhibit symptoms, and even if they do, they are so small that they are often ignored. However, here are a few signs and symptoms that your child may show if they have a worm infection:
Weight loss
Vomiting
Lack of sleep
Bowel issues
Constipation
Stomach pain
Diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Itching or pain around the anus area
Blood in the stool
Foul-smelling stools
Tiredness
Gastric issues
Anxiety
Loss in Appetite
If your child has a worm infection, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. You can also puree the following ingredients in your child's diet:
Garlic
Pumpkin seeds
Unripe papaya
Bitter Gourd
Neem
Carom seeds
Turmeric
Carrots
Coconut
Cloves
Worms cause the loss of iron and protein in the body, which frequently results in anemia in children.
The presence of roundworms results in inadequate nutrition absorption.
Hunger, a decrease in food intake, and weakness are all symptoms of worm infestation.
Diarrhoea and dysentery in infants and toddlers are also caused by these pathogens.
In the long term, if these worm infections aren't detected and treated, they can burn the immune system of your child and harm your baby's intellectual and physical development.
Worms can spread easily and infect your child from time to time. It's important for you and your baby to learn how to prevent worm infections. Here are some precautions you must take to prevent the spread of worms:
Teach your child to always wash hands after going to the bathroom and before eating food.
Cut your child's fingernails regularly.
Encourage your child to not suck on their thumbs or fingers.
Instruct your child to never scratch their bottom or pick their nose.
Clean toilet seats and potty seats regularly.
Encourage your child to bathe every day.
Regularly wash your child's clothes and linen in soapy water for several days after they catch a worm infection.
If you suspect your child has a worm infection, it's best to see a doctor immediately. Worm infections are easy to treat if detected early and cause little or no damage. You should avoid sending your child to school while they have worms to prevent the spread of infection in other kids. Teaching your child the importance of personal hygiene is the best prevention for worm infections.
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Medically Reviewed by
Dt. Mansi Goyal
Specializes in Critical Gestational Diabetes, PCOS Patients - BSC| MSC (Home Science, Food & Nutrition)
View Profile
Written by
Mittali Khurana
Mittali is a content writer by profession. She is a dynamic writer with 04+ years of experience in content writing for E-commerce, Parenting App & Websites, SEO.
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