7 signs that your child has worms

Threadworms take refuge in your baby’s intestine and stay there without showing any symptoms. They silently rob your child of vitamins and minerals, deteriorating her health. If ignored or left untreated, it could lead to malnutrition, iron-deficiency, low weight and affect her physical health. So if you are wondering how to know whether your baby has worms, look out for these signs.

Spitting: If your child starts to spit a lot without any rhyme or reason don’t spank or yell at her. It is not a sign of bad mannerism, but worms in the belly. Increased saliva in the mouth due to worms makes a child spit often. Read: why you should be worried if worms are feasting on your child’s intestine.

Foul smelling stool: Of course poop never smelt good, but very foul smell from your child’s poop indicates an infection in the belly which could be due to worms. Here are few tips on relieving constipation in your child.

Abdominal pain: This is a common symptom of worms in the intestine but can be mistaken for other health issues too.

Itching around the anus: Well, this is a giveaway. The worms reach the anus especially early in the morning and can make it irritable and itch. It is very frustrating for a child to deal with, especially toddlers.

Disturbed sleep: Abdominal pains, itching, restlessness all can lead to disturbed sleep at night, and you may not even suspect worms in this case. Here are few ways to help your baby get a restful sleep.

Putting objects in the mouth: One reason kids get worms is because they put infected or contaminated objects in their mouth. However, when they have worms they tend to do this more, and it should make you realise that deworming is necessary, especially if it is accompanied with decreased appetite. Here are few steps the government has taken to tackle deworming.

Skin rashes: In some very rare cases worms can lead to breakouts in the skin or red patches on the hands and legs.

Originally published on www.healthsite.com