Child Waking Up Crying at Night? Here's Why: Worms

Worms. Many of us have experienced the exhausting presence of this annoying parasite in our bodies at some point in our lives. We are familiar with the painful itching sensation and the helpless feeling of having these troublemakers invade our bodies and cause damage. Considering that many pinworms are found in kindergarten sandboxes, imagine what a small child feels when going through the same thing. The worms 'stick' under the fingernail, jump onto the food the child touches, and reach through the esophagus straight to the digestive system.

And what happens with them at night?

Good question. It's precisely during this time that the worms decide to go on a 'tour' and lay their eggs in that area (hence why that area itches so much). Our helplessness against this phenomenon mainly arises because we cannot locate the exact position of the worms. The main symptom indicating the presence of worms in the body is the child waking up at night, crying, scratching, or even complaining of discomfort with phrases like: 'Ouch, it hurts.' Most likely, small children (under the age of 3) will struggle to explain where exactly it hurts or point to the spot.

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What do worms look like? Like a tiny white ball, visible through a flashlight aimed at the area. Their eggs, however, are more elusive and cannot be seen without a microscope. If the child scratches the area, it is likely that the eggs will stick to their nails, and then, like magic, everything they touch will become contaminated. This is the more common reason why young children get infected — they pass the worms to each other.

So, how can we prevent the phenomenon? Consistent nail trimming is very helpful before infection. Afterward, it is crucial to frequently change and boil undergarments and bed sheets, as well as maintain hand hygiene (which includes washing them with soap and water before any contact with food or objects). If the phenomenon persists or repeats, consult a family doctor.

The more common treatment given by doctors is the medication Vermox, which is prohibited for children under two years old and pregnant/nursing women. The treatment involves two doses: the first kills the worms, while the second dose (given no less than a week later) kills the worm eggs that have hatched in the meantime. In any case, do not use this dangerous medication without consulting a qualified doctor.