How to Rid Children of Parasites

Children are often in groups together at day care and at school, in gyms and on the playground. They tend to explore their environments with their hands and rarely wash those hands when they should. This puts them in frequent contact with parasites and can easily cause infection. Parents often are embarrassed because they think parasitic infection is a sign of being dirty, but infections can occur regardless of personal hygiene habits at home. Parasitic infection can range from hair lice to intestinal infections like pinworms.

Things You'll Need

• antiparasite medication

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Instructions

External Parasites

• 1

  Examine your children for signs of head lice, also known as pediculosis, which will be tiny yellow, tan or brown spots as eggs or gray-white or tan sesame-seed-sized adults. You may receive a notification of an outbreak of head lice at your child's school with recommendations about over-the-counter medications you can use to treat the condition. Look for brand names Ovide, Nix, Rid or A-200.

• 2

  Check your child's skin for scabies infestation, which will look like wavy, reddish or dark lines under the skin that cause intense itching. See your doctor if scabies are suspected. Your physician will prescribe a cream or lotion such as Elimite to apply to the area, and the lotion should be left on the skin for several hours. Elimite is safe to use in children as young as 2. Avoid the medication lindane, another medication against scabies, for babies, older people, pregnant or breast-feeding women, or anyone with a weakened immune system. A 5 to 10 percent sulphur ointment is generally used in infants or pregnant women. Over-the-counter medications are not effective against scabies.

• 3

  Follow directions for antiparasitic medications precisely in order to eliminate all stages of the parasite's life cycle.

Internal Parasites

• 4

  Find evidence of pinworms in bedclothes at night. Pinworms are a common parasite that can travel through groups of children attending day care centers, schools and camps. Infestation causes anal itching, and worms can be found around the anus especially during night. Pinworms are treated with Vermox, Pin-Rid or Albeza.

• 5

  Look for roundworm infestation in stool or vomit. Roundworms are another common parasite that infests groups of children. There may be no symptoms or only mild digestive upsets. In heavy infestations, there may be involvement of the lungs, causing coughing and breathing problems. Treat with Vermox or Albeza.

• 6

  Suspect hookworm infestation if child is itchy and irritable. Infestation may also contribute to protein-deficiency and anemia. Infestation can be dangerous in infants and very young children. Treat with Vermox or Albeza.

• 7

  Be aware that whipworm infestation can cause diarrhea and vomiting. There may, however, be no symptoms at all. Treat whipworm infestation with Albeza or Vermox.