Signs and symptoms
A child with threadworms has few symptoms. The child may complain at night of itching or burning around the anal or genital area. Threadworms can also be a cause of a sudden onset of bedwetting. If the infestation is heavy the child may have abdominal cramps. Threadworms can cause appendicitis (although this is rare), and they can work their way into a girl’s vagina and urethra (the passageway from the bladder to the outside) causing inflammation of the vagina or bladder.
Usually the diagnosis of threadworms is easily made by examining the skin around the anus at night while the child sleeps, or just after waking. Earthworms head back into the anus if disturbed by light, so the search must be done quickly. A threadworm can be mistaken for fluff on the skin; if the fluff moves, it’s a threadworm. Occasionally threadworms may be found in a bowel movement, but this is not a reliable way of making a diagnosis.
Home care
Vermifuges (worm medicines) must be obtained by prescription. When one member of a family has threadworms, all members (except infants and pregnant women) should be treated at the same time.
• Suspect that threadworms may be the cause of recurrent inflammation of the vagina or bladder. • If one member of a family has threadworms, launder that person’s underclothes, bed linens, and towels to destroy the worm’s eggs. Also, cut and scrub his or her fingernails to remove any eggs. • Do not mistake fluff or thread for threadworms; look for movement.
• Do not blame household cats and dogs for a child’s having threadworms. These worms live only in humans.
Medical treatment
Your doctor investigates for threadworms using clear tape that will pick up any eggs that are on the skin. The tape is then examined under the microscope. If the test is positive, the doctor will prescribe worm medication for the entire family.
*224/84/5*
RelatedPosts:
Tags: General health