Treatment for worms should be done with the use of anti-parasitic drugs prescribed by the general practitioner, such as Albendazole or Mebendazole, for example.
However, treatment should be supplemented with some hygiene care, such as frequent handwashing or bedwetting 2 times a week to prevent new or infected worms from infecting other family members.
In this way, all family members should take the medicines and take the same hygiene care as the infected person, avoiding getting contaminated.
If you have questions if you are infected with worms read: Symptoms of worms.
Medicines for treating worms
The most commonly used drugs to eliminate worms are Albendazole and Mebendazole, which can be purchased at the pharmacy in the form of single-serving tablets or syrup, for adults and children over 2 years of age.
However, the drugs only eliminate the adult worms, not being able to eliminate the eggs. Thus, hygiene measures during and after treatment should be maintained by the whole family to avoid the transmission of eggs and new infection by worms.
This type of medicine can cause some side effects such as abdominal pain, bloated belly and diarrhea, especially when the worm infection is very developed.
2. Hygienic care for worms
Hygiene care is another very important part of the treatment as it helps prevent the transmission of eggs that are not eliminated by the medicines prescribed by the doctor.
So the most important cares include:
- Wash hands often, especially before cooking and after defecating;
- Do not share towels and toothbrushes;
- Keep the toothbrushes in a closed cabinet and wash them before each use;
- Wash hands before and after each diaper change;
- Do not chew your nails and do not put your fingers in your mouth;
- Keep nails short;
- Each person should have their bath towel;
- Wash bedding and towels at least once a week;
- Clean the rooms, the bathroom and the kitchen at least once a week.
These care should be maintained for 6 weeks to ensure that all eggs are eliminated without being transmitted to another family member.
Home treatment for worms
The home treatment for worms can be done with jatobá tea as it has vermifuge properties. To make the tea, simply put 1 tablespoon of the peel of the jatobá in a pan with 500 ml of water and boil for 15 minutes, drinking 3 cups of tea per day.
See another natural treatment for worms in: Home remedy for worms.
Signs of improvement
Signs of improvement of worms include decreased abdominal pain and swelling, reduced itching in the anus or intimate region of the woman, decreased nausea and vomiting, and absence of worms in toilet paper or faeces.
Signs of worsening
Signs of worsening of worms arise when the individual does not take the treatment and include weight loss, increased abdominal volume, lack of appetite or dark stools.
