Natural Management of Worms in Kids

what causes worms & how do they spread?

One of the joys of parenting is dealing with worms in kids. A much requested post from many of you, worms 🪱 are something that most mamas will have to deal with at some point in their parenting journey, and typically popping some chocolate tasting anti parasitic medication 💊 will do the trick, but for those of us wanting a more natural route, here are some suggestions.

Threadworms, or pinworms, are the most common worms to infect humans.

Children can get worms when they accidentally get worm eggs on their hands and swallow them. This might happen if they put their hands in their mouths or bite their nails after coming into contact with people with worms or with worm-infected dust, toys or bed linen.

symptoms

an itchy bottom – particularly 2-3 hours after they go to bed, as this is when the worms become active!

• itchiness, redness around the vulva and vagina and UTI symptoms (because the anus and vagina are very close together, worms can lay eggs around both).

• behavioural changes – this can range from general irritability to mood swings.

• restless sleep – due to itchiness and activity of worms. They may wake with their bedding all over the place,

• grinding of teeth

• calling out at night, nightmares, night terrors

• bedwetting

• sudden lack of appetite

• visible worms – small, white and 8-13 mm long

(often mistaken for bits of toilet paper!)

• or no symptoms at all!

natural management

• Garlic: can kill existing eggs and prevent female pinworms from laying more eggs. Soak 2-3 cloves of raw garlic in honey and give one tsp of the infused honey to your child on an empty stomach.

• Coconut oil: has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Give 1 tsp of coconut. oil to the child first thing in the morning for a week, followed by a cup of warm water.

• Turmeric: is most easily available antiseptic in any household. It is also effective in dealing with all kinds of intestinal worms. Take a glass of warm milk with 1/4 tsp turmeric once every day.

• Homeopathy: Cina, Teucrium and Spigelia. Consult a homeopath.

• Naturopathic grade organic diatomaceous earth: a fossil shell flour, works through a process of negative ions, the worms are attracted to the powder and flushed out of the body. I like Supercharged Food Love Your Gut Diatomaceous Earth Powder.

• Unripe papaya: The enzyme papain present in raw papaya is potent enough to destroy intestinal worms. Papaya seeds are also useful in expelling worms from the stomach. Grate firm raw papaya and mix it with warm milk along with 1 tsp of honey.

• Pumpkin seeds: are rich in an amino acid called cucurbitacin, anti parasitic in nature and may help to paralyse worms in the digestive tract. For best effect, grind a handful (50g) of raw seeds and add to a smoothie.

• Wormwood: a plant from the daisy family, commonly recommended as part of a parasite cleanse. I like it in Harker Herbals Parasite Cleanse.

Stop the spread

• Thoroughly wash hands after going to the toilet and before handling food.

• Cut fingernails regularly.

• Try to encourage your child not to scratch around their bottom or suck thumbs or fingers.

• Regularly wash clothes and bed linen in hot soapy water every day for several days during treatment.

• Clean toilet seats and potties regularly.

• Encourage your child to take a shower or bath regularly (morning is better to help with removing eggs).

OTC options

when to seek help?

Contact your practitioner if your child experiences any of the following symtpoms with worms:

• your child passes a large worm

• has blood in bowel motion

• they have abdominal pain

• any nausea or vomiting

• low energy levels