What is De-Worming and Why It’s Important?

GIDocJHB is lead by Dr. Schneider and an expert team focused on Gastrointestinal health, care, and management.

Our team is highly trained, with extensive experience and a friendly attitude, making us approachable and easy to speak too.

An ideal time to treat any condition is at the earliest possible stage.

Alongside prompt diagnosis and treatment, screening for intestinal worms early offers significant benefits and can reduce negative and dangerous side effects.

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What is Deworming?

Deworming is the process of expelling intestinal worms or parasitic worms from the body by administering an anthelmintic medicine/drug.

In more simple terms, it is a medicated process to kill worms.

Why is Deworming Important?

Parasitic worms can lead to malnutrition. Deworming tablets allows people to absorb the critical nutrients needed to be and stay healthy.

Parasitic worms and their larvae are generally found in contaminated food and water in poor communities or areas where cleaning does not frequently happen. 

Those who walk without wearing any socks or shoes in high-risk areas are most likely to contract worms.

Read more about What to do about intestinal worms here

 

Symptoms of Intestinal Worms

Common symptoms of intestinal worms are:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
• Gas/bloating
• Redness or rash on the buttocks
• Fatigue
• Urinating frequently
• Weight loss
• Tiredness, weakness or hunger due to worms.
• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Dehydration
• Blood in the stool

 

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Diagnosing Worms

Gastroenterologists may recommend several different tests to help them diagnose intestinal worms. These tests may include:

• Fecal tests to check for signs of infection
• Blood tests to detect some types of parasite
• Colonoscopy, which uses a thin camera to check the bowel for parasites
• Imaging tests to check other organs for signs of damage from the parasite
• Tape tests – A tape test involves placing a piece of tape over the anus as the person sleeps to check for signs of eggs.
• Checking Fingernails – As your hands are the primary mode of transferring worms inside the body through ingestion, worms often leave their eggs under the fingernails. Your gastroenterologist will examine the area under your fingernails to determine the presence of worms.

 

Treatment of Intestinal Worms

Although intestinal worms sound like a serious medical condition, treatment is often straightforward.

In some cases, the person may not need any treatment or medication at all if they have a healthy immune system.

In other cases, gastroenterologists will sometimes choose to monitor the person first to see if their body can take care of the worm before moving on to medication.

During this period, the individual should report any symptoms they might be having.

In other cases, gastroenterologists will use one or more antiparasitic medications to get rid of the intestinal worm.

In addition to the medicine that kills the intestinal worm, you may need medicine to reduce inflammation or other symptoms, like nausea, that you’re having.

Everyone in your family should be treated, even if they don’t have symptoms.

Other Prevention and Home Treatment Remedies

 

One of the more important aspects of prevention is basic sanitation.

For example, people should always wash their hands both before and after using the toilet to avoid possible exposure.

Washing the hands before cooking or handling food is also essential.

Many intestinal worms enter the body through the food that a person eats. As a result, it is essential to follow some safe food and general cleanliness practices:

• Do not defecate in the open, always use a toilet
• Disinfect your toilet seat regularly
• Cook meat properly before eating
• Always wash your hands properly with water and soap before eating & after using the toilet
• Always trim your nails and keep them short & clean
• Always wear slippers or shoes while using the toilet
• Never leave food uncovered
• Always drink filtered or bottled water
• Do not ever eat raw vegetables and fruits without washing them with clean water

Some home remedies are also beneficial for deworming and to ease the discomfort:

• Garlic – Raw garlic is charged with amino acids containing sulphur, which act as natural deworm for children by killing parasites and expelling them out of your body for good.
• Pumpkin seeds – are rich in cucurbitacin, which can paralyze worms and make it impossible for them to survive inside the body.
• Raw Papaya is known for its medicinal properties due to an enzyme Papain found in it. This enzyme works as an anthelmintic which kills intestinal worms whereas papaya seeds help to expel worms out of the body.
• Carrots – are rich in Vitamin A, known for immune-boosting properties which help your body to fight against intestinal worms.
• Turmeric is famous for its medicinal and antiseptic properties for long. It helps to eliminate parasitic worms from your body and also in healing internally.
• Coconuts are rich in lauric acid, which forms into monolaurin, a compound known for enhancing immunity. A strong immune system helps your body ward off or eradicate parasitic worms from your body.

 

FAQ about Deworming

1. What is the Importance of Deworming in Adults?

Deworming is advised at least once a year. adults need deworming because there is a mild chance of parasites getting in our body orally either due to poor hygiene or outside food.

2. How Frequently Should I Deworm My Child?

We recommend at least once every six months.

3. Who’s Supposed to Deworm?

Everyone who is at risk of getting worm infestation is supposed to deworm. More particularly, it’s needed for toddlers and small children.

Also, grown-ups with poor body or food hygiene due to poor living conditions or unclean habits, people handling pets or raw meat and persons who walk barefoot ought to deworm.

4. Can Babies Get Worms?

Yes, everyone is susceptible to intestinal worms, regardless of their age.

5. Is There a Particular Age for Deworming?

Kids above the age of 2 can be dewormed.