Helminthiasis is very common. Children are mostly sick because they come into contact with animals and do not always follow hygiene rules. Usually people are infected with pinworms - these are the most common parasites. Knowing how to remove worms from a person at home can quickly improve a patient’s condition.
How worms appear: a brief description of the symptoms
The symptoms of helminthiasis are not specific. It is often confused with other diseases. For a long time, most parasitic elements do not give a clear picture of the disease, as the main purpose of the pest is precisely its presence in the human body, which in itself is completely invisible. In this regard, the specific symptoms of the disease can be detected only when multiple infections occur, or the activity of the body's immune functions decreases, or there are background pathologies that bring the helminth invasion to the fore.
The following are the main symptoms of the disease:
- Violation of metabolic processes (increased appetite at constant weight).
- Increased secretion of salivary glands.
- Dyspeptic symptoms, bloating, indigestion, vomiting, abdominal pain.
- Migraine, dizziness, lethargy, weakness.
- Manifestation of previously mentioned hypersensitivity reactions or exacerbation of existing reactions.
- Hypersensitivity, irritability, insomnia, memory and attention disorders caused by the activity of parasitic organisms.
- Deterioration of hair and nails due to lack of vitamins and minerals.
- Increased inflammation of the nasopharynx and genitals.
Most often, experts note that in helminthiasis, patients have damage to the digestive system, as well as the further appearance and development of diseases, toxic poisonings, decreased hemoglobin and erythrocyte levels, increased risk of viral diseases, and even possible nervous system disorders.
Identification of helminths at home
The most effective diagnostic method is a laboratory test. But it is not always possible for a person to see a doctor for this. In this case, you need to rely on your feelings and new symptoms.
If you want to determine the presence of helminthiasis, you can examine the anamnestic data. For example, the patient is happy to eat unwashed vegetables or fruits. They also often become infected after contact with cats or dogs, as they are often sources of pests. Patients often prefer to eat foods that have not undergone adequate heat treatment prior to the disease.
We can also say about the patient that he lost a lot of weight in a short time. But such a condition in helminthiasis is not motivated, i. e. it does not depend on the nature of the diet and physical activity. A specific symptom of enterobiasis (pinworm infection) is gnashing of teeth at night. You may also notice itching in the rectum and exit of the helminth particles from the anus.
Removal of worms from the body
Many tools are used to get rid of worms. Pharmacological agents are the most effective. It is specifically designed to kill such pests, and new drugs have minimal pathological consequences. A major disadvantage of this treatment is the toxicity of the drugs. Most of them are contraindicated in childbirth and breastfeeding.
In addition, folk remedies for worms are used and are more effective in adults. Diet can also help against parasites. But it does not always drive out parasites, in most cases their vital activity is interrupted.
Particular attention should be paid to the treatment of pregnant women and children. Immune activity decreased the least, which contributes to the more active development of helminths in the body.
Pharmacological agents
Pharmacological treatment is considered to be the most effective. Some products only need to be taken once. Dosage is calculated depending on the age and weight of the patient. This principle is very important because the success of therapy depends on it.
An anthelmintic for worms is the safest anthelmintic. Special doses are allowed even for pregnant women and young children. Its effects include trichocephalosis, ascariasis, enterobiasis and a few others. Once infected with nail worms and pinworms, it is sufficient to take it once. For other pathologies, the course may take up to two to three days.
As part of another anthelmintic medicine, the active substance is levamisole hydrochloride. While taking the drug, the greatest activity is observed in ascariasis, ankylostomiasis, enterobiasis and some other invasions. The tablets can also be taken by children from the age of three. Common side effects include gastrointestinal disorders and headache.
The largest spectrum of activity is observed for benzimidazole derivatives. But they cause a lot of side effects.
Attention! The drugs are especially dangerous for patients with liver disease.
ethnoscience
There are currently a number of effective methods for treating this pathology using synthetic drugs. But drugs have a large number of side effects, are ineffective in treatment, and sometimes do not correspond to a particular person at all (contraindications, intolerance to one or more components of a particular drug). Therefore, in such cases, you can turn to traditional medicine, whose arsenal offers a huge selection of natural remedies to combat these types of diseases.
The main advantages of folk remedies are the natural base, which reduces to zero the presence of side effects and the presence of bioactive compounds that reduce the severity of inflammatory and allergic processes.
The most commonly used products are wormwood. This plant has a number of effective substances that disrupt the neural activity of helminths and contribute to their excretion from the body. You can make infusions and powders. It is optimal if you take wormwood in the morning.
Home treatment of worms in children
If the family has a child, it is important to know how to get rid of worms properly in this case. The child’s body is less active in the fight against worms. Using some medications can harm your baby and make the situation worse.
Most often, parents choose the way to expel the parasite as soon as possible to make the child better. For some types of helminthiasis, this tactic is correct. For example, in the case of enterobiasis, i. e. damage to the body with pinworms, an anthelmintic may be taken at an age-specific dose. In such diseases, a single dose is sufficient. Some other diseases (such as trichocephalosis) require longer treatment.
Attention! The use of prescriptions for alternative therapy in the treatment of the child is contraindicated.
Treatment of worms during pregnancy
Therapy for helminthiasis is not always recommended during the period of wearing the baby. It all depends on the type of pathology and the duration of the pregnancy. If treatment is needed, it should only be used after consulting a doctor.
If a woman is afraid to use pharmacological drugs, she can add one of the folk prescriptions. Advice on consuming raw pumpkin seeds is popular. It can be peeled and crushed, and a few spoons can be consumed four times a day. To improve the taste, it is advisable to add a little honey.
The good effect is manifested in the case of an unpleasant procedure - enema. But to implement such a treatment requires consultation with professionals so as not to harm the baby. Enemas can be made with milk and garlic. To make the product, a few cloves of vegetables are boiled in a glass of milk and cooled to room temperature. The duration of use of the cleansing enema is 5 days.
Diet for helminthiasis
The diet should include as many foods as possible that are not completely pleasant to the parasites. For example, chanterelle mushrooms contain a specific substance - kinomannose. This chemical compound has a destructive effect - the shell structure of helminth eggs changes, provoking their death. This substance also inhibits the vital activity of young and adult worms.
The use of certain delicacies also has a positive effect on the process of treating helminthiasis. These products are usually included:
- Strawberry.
- Melon.
- Apricot.
- Watermelon.
- Fresh carrots.
Recommended products include fermented milk. Kefir and whey normalize liver function, improve intestinal activity. The liver should be included in the diet as helminths often cause anemia. Foods high in vitamins and minerals should also be on the menu.
Sample menu in the presence of worms
The diet of helminthiasis plays an important role in therapy. Properly selected menu can prevent complications of the disease and smooth out the symptoms.
For breakfast, experts recommend the use of cottage cheese. You can add a fruity mixture and don’t forget melon or strawberry either. You can drink unsweetened tea. For the second breakfast, you can use homemade yoghurt or fermented fried milk.
For lunch, you can enjoy a light vegetable soup with the addition of lean chicken. It is useful to supplement this with cabbage and carrot salad. Pineapple is recommended as a dessert. During the treatment, it is recommended to replace the dinner with a glass of yogurt or kefir.
Dangerous foods for worms
The use of certain foods is completely contraindicated in helminthiasis. This is most often due to the disruption of intestinal activity affected by worms due to fermentation processes. First, this applies to carbohydrate-rich foods:
- Potato.
- Flour products.
- Some grain.
In addition, it is recommended to exclude alcoholic beverages during therapy. Lovers of semi-raw meat should also refuse such foods as they often contain worm eggs. This causes re-infection. Confectionery is also strictly prohibited.
Preventive principles
Methods to prevent infection are quite simple, but few follow them. This explains the widespread spread of worm infections. It is enough if you do not forget these rules:
- Compliance with hygiene rules.
- Proper heat treatment of meat and fish.
- Rinse before eating fruits and vegetables.
- Timely deworming for pets.
- Maintaining cleanliness in the house.
These general preventative measures can save the family from an unpleasant illness - helminthiasis. Adherence to hygiene standards is a key principle of prevention.