Top 5 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Worms In Kids

Many a times, children complain about upset tummy. Parents sometimes ignore this problem and consider it as their child’s excuse for not going to school. Although it might be a hack for avoiding school but you must check if your child actually has a problem. It could be that your child has worms. Find the best home remedies to get rid of worms in this article.

Intestinal parasites are a major cause of tummy pain in children. These worms live in the children’s body and derive food from them – compromising your child’s nutrition. But, there is no need to panic as worm infections are common and can be treated quickly.

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Different Types of Worm Infections in Kids

There are many types of worm infections:

• Tapeworm – These are flat ribbon-like worms which grow up to 15-30 feet long and live in the intestine of the child.
• Roundworms – They resemble earthworms and can grow up to 30- 35 cms.
• Pinworms or threadworms – Threadworms appear to be the finite cotton kind which lives in the intestine or anus of the child.
• Hookworms – These worms enter the child’s body when children play in soil and eventually they enter the intestine.

Causes of Worms in Tummy

Kids are always on the move. Worms in kids’ tummy is common as they love to jump on the floor barefoot and go crawling in the park. These are the places where they come in contact with germs. A few common causes of worm infections include:

#1. Infected Surface

The worms and their eggs are capable of surviving for 2 weeks without feeding. The common places where kids come in contact with worms include soil infected with worms and by touching pets or their excreta which might have worms.

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#2. Inadequate hand washing practices

Kids love to put their hands in their mouth. If your kid has worms he will feel itchy around the anus. This is mainly caused by pinworms. When kids scratch, eggs come in contact with the skin which tend to spread.

#3. No proper hygiene

Unwashed beddings, undergarments, filth in the room are breeding grounds for worms and their eggs. Someone with dirty fingers tends to pass on the worms to others.

#4. Consuming unwashed fruits and veggies

It is important to wash vegetables and fruits before consumption as worm eggs can be on them. Raw or undercooked food can also prove to be a threat.

Symptoms of worm infection

Usually, a worm infection is characterized by irritability, weight loss, and tummy pain. Each worm infection has different signs:

Symptoms of Tapeworm infection

• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite, eating frequently but losing weight.
• Malnutrition
• Jaundice
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Dizziness

Symptoms of Threadworm (Pinworms) infections

• Itching around the anus is a common complaint of children.
• Trouble sleeping
• Painful urination

Symptoms of Roundworm infections

• Diarrhea
• Fever and dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Weight Loss

Symptoms of Hookworm infection

• Wheezing and coughing
• Anemia and fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Itchy rash.
• Intestinal cramps.

Apart from these, one can also see bed wetting and blood in the stools.

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Treatment of Worm Infection

A simple course of antiparasitic medicines is the usual treatment for worms in the intestine. These are generally over the counter medicines, but be careful before giving any medicines to children. As the worms affect the growth of children, it is best to consult a doctor before giving any medicines. Your doctor will prescribe a deworming medicine according to your child’s age and the symptoms.

Home remedies to get rid of worms

It isn’t an easy task to deworm your child. Here are some 5 simple HOME REMEDIES that can help to clear worms in your child’s stomach.

#1. Carrots

Loaded with Vitamin A, carrots help to strengthen the body’s immunity and help fight intestinal parasites. Make your child eat carrots on an empty stomach and the worms will be cleared.

Recommended age: 6+ months

#2. Coconut

It is very effective in treating intestinal worms since it has anti-parasitic properties. Give your child one tablespoon of grated coconut with his breakfast every day to get rid of worms. Another way is to make your child drink 4-6 tsps of coconut oil every morning for a week. Not only does it treat worms, it also improves your child’s immunity and prevents them from occurring again.
Recommended age: 10+ months

#3. Carom Seeds

Ajwain or carom seeds are very effective in getting rid of worms in the tummy. Take half teaspoon of carom seeds along with a small amount of jaggery and mix it. Now give this to the child twice a day.

Recommended age: 6+ months

#4. Asafoetida or Hing

Just mix a pinch of hing powder to a glass of water and give to your child early in the morning for a week. It will help to eliminate worms from your child’s tummy.

Recommended age: 6+ months

#5. Raw papaya

Grind a raw papaya in a mixer and extract its juice. Now add a teaspoon of honey to 1 tablespoon of papaya juice along with 4 tablespoons of lukewarm water. Give this to your child every morning on an empty stomach till a week.

Note – Do not give honey to children below 1 year of age.

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How to Prevent Worm Infection in children?

Hygiene is critical in children to prevent worm infection. One should teach kids some basic hygiene habits:

• Make them wash their hands every time before having food.
• Make them wash hands after using the toilet.
• Make your kids drink clean drinking water.
• Make sure they wear clean clothes daily.
• Wash their bedding, pillows, covers, and blankets regularly.
• Prevent children from walking barefoot.
• Prevent children from putting their hands in their mouth, nose, eyes, ears, and genitals.
• Educate them about the worms entering their bodies.

When to Consult the Doctor?

In case the home remedies to get rid of worms mentioned above don’t work, you should consult your doctor immediately. The doctor will investigate further and give medication accordingly.

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