Table of contents:
- Do not underestimate worms in toddlers
- The right time to give deworming to toddlers
- Another way to prevent toddlers from catching worms
Worms can happen to anyone, including toddlers. Worms are easily transmitted if your little one is not accustomed to maintaining cleanliness. Worms infection can affect your little one's digestive system. If not treated immediately, the infection can have a negative impact on the development of toddlers in the future. However, this can be overcome by administering deworming medicine and other steps for toddlers.
Do not underestimate worms in toddlers
In general, worms occur in developing countries and are influenced by environmental factors. The risk of transmitting worms can be caused by poor environmental sanitation, poor personal hygiene, and contaminated water.
Knowing that worms still occur in Indonesia, the government urges parents to provide worm medicine to toddlers and children.
Worms are not a deadly disease, but they should not be taken lightly. Transmission is so easy, especially in children. For example, when children often play outside the house and their feet come into contact with soil or sand that is contaminated with worms, such as roundworms, whipworms, or hookworms.
The larvae of worms can quickly penetrate the skin and enter the blood vessels, and move into the digestive system. In addition, worms can get stuck on the nails or hands, so they can enter the body when the hand contaminated with worm eggs touches the mouth area. The habit of biting nails or rarely maintaining cleanliness by washing hands and feet after leaving the house also increases the risk of transmission.
Parents need to be aware that worms are a problem to be aware of anywhere and anytime. Because, if this infection continues to develop, toddlers with worms can experience problems in their growth and development in the future.
Child development depends on fulfilling nutrition. Meanwhile, worms are like parasites in a child's body that steal nutrients for their growth and development.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that worm infections can make children deficient in iron and protein, so they can risk food malabsorption. Food malabsorption is when the digestive system is unable to absorb nutrients optimally.
In children with intestinal worms, when it blocks the digestive system, it can cause stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. If this continues, children may experience malnutrition and have an impact stunting. Stunting occurs when the child's weight and height do not reach the average age.
In the future, the lack of nutrition due to worms will also have an impact on the cognitive development of children, especially when they enter school age. Children find it difficult to grasp the lessons received because their cognitive impairment.
We never know there is exposure to worms around your little one. However, there are preventive steps to prevent the effects of serious worms from developing, one of which is giving worm medicine to toddlers.
The right time to give deworming to toddlers
Common symptoms of intestinal worms in toddlers can be seen as follows:
- Itching around the buttocks or sex organs of the child. Usually feels very itchy at night
- Red skin on the buttocks
- The child is not getting enough sleep
- Stomach ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Worms seen when defecating are small, white, and 8-13 mm long
If you find these symptoms in toddlers, it's a good idea to consult a pediatrician to find out whether your little one has worms or not. In addition, you can also give worm medicine with ingredients Pyrantel Pamoate to overcome intestinal worms.
Deworming is not only given to toddlers with problems, but needs to be taken in a healthy condition. You can give your little one deworming medicine every 6 months as a preventive measure.
Deworming drugs at pharmacies are available in tablet and syrup form. You can choose deworming syrup so it is easy for toddlers to consume. Today, deworming medicine has a delicious fruity taste that is loved by children.
Another way to prevent toddlers from catching worms
Previously, it was stated that worms can start from poor sanitation and lack of hygiene. Seeing the risk of the cause, here are ways to prevent worms in toddlers.
- Get used to using footwear when playing outside the house
- Teach children to always wash their hands with soap and running water before eating, after using the toilet, and after activities outside the home
- Do not make a habit of biting your nails or sucking your thumbs
- Cut nails regularly
- Clean toilet seats regularly
- Take a shower every morning and evening to eradicate the possibility of worm eggs attached
- If the child has worms, wash the sheets used in hot water
Don't forget to always apply good habits to keep your little one clean. Routinely taking deworming medicine is not only for toddlers and children, but also adults. Come on, invite the whole family to take deworming medicine every 6 months as a protection effort to maintain optimal health. Come on, take care of each other!
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