Thread worms (also known as pinworms) can frequently occur in young children and some children seem to be susceptible to recurring infections.
These tiny white thread-like worms infest the rectum (back passage) and can cause itchiness around the anus and sometimes mild colicky pain. Threadworms may be seen in the stools and around the anus. In girls the threadworms can migrate into the vagina causing intolerable itching and redness. Children often become very irritable and unsettled when they have a worm infection.
The worms can live in any part of the digestive tract but the female lays eggs in the rectum. If a child infected with worms scratches the anus, then sucks fingers or touches food, he or she can be reinfected by mouth.
Conventional treatment is by antiworm drugs such as Pripsin and Vermox.
Self help Measures
- Insist on good hygiene. Hands should be washed thoroughly after going to the toilet, after touching pets and always before eating.
- Fingernails should be kept short and scrubbed occasionally.
- Pyjamas should be worn in preference to nightdresses to discourage children from scratching and also changed frequently. Each child should have their own towel.
- Apply vaseline to the anus at night to discourage worms from laying eggs
- Pets should be wormed regularly.
- Try and cut down on how much sugar your children eat as worms thrive on sugar, Raw fruits and vegetables should be encouraged and raw garlic can be helpful.
Homeopathic treatment of worms
Worms have a two week lifecycle. Give remedies in the 30c potency 3 times daily for a week and repeat the remedy if any symptoms return. Consider treating other children in your household preventatively as worms spread easily. If worms keep returning consider taking your child for constitutional homeopathic treatment. The remedies below are indicated for threadworms, other types of worms (such as tapeworms) are treated with different remedies.
Remedies
Cina (Wormseed)
This is the number one remedy to consider for an active case of worms. This remedy is indicated when the child is bad-tempered, irritable and touchy and impossible to please. The anus area will be itchy and sore and the child may have an increased appetite. They may grind their teeth at night and pick at their nose.
Teucrium
This remedy is useful for work and will follow well after Cina if symptoms keep coming back. The remedy is indicated where there is an itchy bottom, itchy nose and the itchiness is worse in the evening. The child may be restless in their sleep and complain of a crawling sensation in the rectum after passing stools.
Nat Phos Tissue Salts
If your child has a tendency to recurrent worms then Nat Phos tissue salt may help as it helps to balance too much acidity in the body. Worms thrive in acid conditions. Give one pill morning and evening for a month.