Helminthiasis is very common. Children are most often 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. By knowing how to remove worms from a person at home, you can quickly improve the patient's condition.
How worms manifest: a brief description of the symptoms
The symptomatology of helminthiasis is nonspecific. It is often confused with other diseases. For a long time, most parasitic elements do not give a clear picture of the disease, because the main goal of the pest is its very presence in the human body, which is absolutely invisible to him. In this regard, the various symptoms of the disease can be observed only when multiple infection occurs or there is a decrease in the activity of the body's immune functions or there are background pathologies that highlight the helminthic invasion.
The following main symptoms of the disease are distinguished:
- Violation of metabolic processes (increased appetite with constant weight).
- Increased secretion of salivary glands.
- Dyspeptic symptoms, bloating, indigestion, vomiting, abdominal pain.
- Migraine, dizziness, lethargy, weakness.
- Manifestation of hypersensitivity reactions not previously recorded, or worsening 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 notice that with helminthiasis, patients experience disorders in the digestive system and further appearance and development of the disease, poisoning by toxins, reduction of hemoglobin and erythrocyte levels, increased risk of viral diseases, and even possible nervous system disorders.
Recognizing helminths at home
The most effective diagnostic method is laboratory testing. But not always a person has the opportunity to consult a doctor about it. In this case, you need to rely on your feelings and new symptoms.
If you want to determine the presence of helminthiasis, you can review the anamnestic data. For example, the patient likes to eat unwashed vegetables or fruits. They are also often infected after contact with cats or dogs, as they are often a source of pests. Patients often like to eat food that was not subjected to sufficient heat treatment before the disease.
The patient can also be told that he has lost a lot of weight in a short period of time. But such a condition in the case of helminthiasis is not motivated, that is, it does not depend on the nature of the diet and physical activity. A specific symptom of enterobiasis (pinworm infection) is the gnashing of teeth at night. You may also notice itching in the anal canal and helminth particles coming out of the anus.
Removing worms from the body
A lot of tools are used to get rid of worms. Pharmacological agents are the most effective. They are designed specifically to destroy such pests, and new drugs have a minimal amount of pathological consequences. A significant disadvantage of this treatment is the toxicity of the drugs. Most of them are contraindicated in case of childbirth and breastfeeding.
In addition, folk remedies against worms are used, in adults they are more effective. Diet can also help against parasites. But it doesn’t always drive away parasites; in most cases their vital activity is disturbed.
Special attention should be paid to the treatment of pregnant women and children. They have the most reduced immune activity, which contributes to the more active development of helminths in the body.
Pharmacological agents
Pharmacological treatment is considered the most effective. Some products are recommended to be taken only once. The 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 drug that acts on nematodes is considered the safest anthelmintic drug. In special doses it is allowed even for pregnant women and small children. Its action extends to trichocephaly, ascariasis, enterobiasis and some others. When infected with roundworms and pinworms, it is enough to take once. In the case of other pathologies, the course of treatment can last up to two to three days.
As part of another anthelmintic drug, the active ingredient is levamisole hydrochloride. The greatest activity when taking the drug is observed in the case of ascariasis, ankylostomiasis, enterobiasis and some other invasions. The tablets can be taken by children from the age of three. Common side effects include gastrointestinal dysfunction and headache.
The highest spectrum of action was observed on benzimidazole derivatives. But they cause a lot of side effects.
Attention! Medications are especially dangerous for patients with liver disease.
ethnoscience
There are currently many effective methods of treating this pathology using synthetic drugs. But drugs have a large number of side effects, are ineffective in treatment and sometimes do not suit 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, which has in its arsenal a huge selection of natural remedies to combat this type of disease.
The main advantages of folk remedies are a natural base that reduces the presence of side effects to zero, as well as the presence of bioactive compounds that reduce the severity of inflammatory and allergic processes.
The most commonly used products are wormwood. This plant has many effective substances that disrupt the nervous activity of helminths and contribute to their excretion from the body. You can prepare infusions and powders. It is optimal to take wormwood medications in the morning before breakfast.
Home treatment of helminths in children
If the family has a child, it is important to know how to properly get rid of worms in this case. The child's body is less active in fighting worms. Also, the use of some medications can harm the baby and make the situation worse.
Most often, parents choose ways to get rid of the parasite as soon as possible in order for the child to recover. In some species of helminthiasis this tactic is correct. For example, in case of enterobiasis, ie damage to the body by pinworms, you can take an anthelmintic drug in a dose determined for the age. In the case of such a disease, one dose is sufficient. Some other diseases (for example, trichocephaly) require longer treatment.
Attention! The use of prescriptions for alternative therapy is contraindicated for the treatment of a child.
Worm treatment during pregnancy
Therapy for helminthiasis during childbirth is not always recommended. It all depends on the type of pathology and the duration of the pregnancy. If treatment is necessary, it is resorted to only after consulting a doctor.
If a woman is afraid to use pharmacological drugs, you can pick up one of the folk recipes. Tips on eating raw pumpkin seeds are popular. They can be peeled and crushed and eaten a few tablespoons four times a day. To improve the taste, it is advisable to add a little honey.
A good effect is manifested in the case of an unpleasant procedure - enemas. But carrying out such treatment requires consultation with experts so as not to harm the baby. Enemas can be prepared with milk and garlic. To prepare the product, a few cloves of vegetables are boiled in a glass of milk and cooled to room temperature. The duration of enema for cleansing is 5 days.
Diet for helminthiasis
The diet should contain as much food as possible that is not entirely pleasing to parasites. For example, chanterelle mushrooms contain a certain substance - kinomanuzu. This chemical compound has a destructive effect - it changes the structure of the shell of helminthic eggs, which causes their death. Also, this substance inhibits the vital activity of young and adult worms.
The use of some delicacies also has a positive effect on the process of treating helminthiasis. It is common to include these products:
- Strawberrys.
- Melon.
- Apricot.
- Watermelon.
- Fresh carrots.
Among the recommended products are fermented milk. Kefir and whey normalize the work of the liver, improve the activity of the intestinal tract. The liver must be included in the diet, as helminths often cause anemia. Foods that contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals should also be present on the menu.
Sample menu in the presence of worms
Diet for 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 fresh cheese. You can add a fruit mix to it and don't forget the melon or strawberries. You can drink unsweetened tea. For a second breakfast, you can use homemade yogurt or fermented baked milk.
For lunch you can eat a light vegetable soup with the addition of lean chicken. It is useful to supplement it with a salad of cabbage and carrots. Pineapple is recommended for dessert. During the treatment, it is advisable to replace dinner with a glass of yogurt or kefir.
Dangerous food for worms
The use of some dishes is completely contraindicated in helminthiasis. This is most often due to the fact that they disrupt the activity of the intestines affected by worms due to the fermentation process. First of all, this applies to foods rich in carbohydrates:
- Potato.
- Flour products.
- Some cereals.
Also, during therapy, it is recommended to exclude alcoholic beverages. Lovers of semi-raw meat should also refuse such dishes, as they often contain worm eggs. This causes re-infection. Confectionery products are also strictly forbidden.
Preventive principles
Methods to prevent infection are simple enough, but few are followed. This explains the widespread worm infestation. Just remember these rules:
- Adherence to hygiene rules.
- Sufficient heat treatment of meat and fish.
- Rinse before eating fruits and vegetables.
- Timely deworming in pets.
- Keeping the house clean.
These general preventive measures can save the family from an unpleasant disease - helminthiasis. Adherence to hygiene standards is the main principle of prevention.