What should I do if I suspect my daughter has worms?

Question

I suspect that my 3 year old daughter has intestinal worms. During the night, she wakes up (between 1 to 4 hours awake) and she is restless. She does not wake up crying. She is calm and quiet but she is constantly moving and this can last a long time. This has been going on for about 1 month and no major changes have occurred in her life.

Sarah-Yan Chagnon · Accepted Answer

Hello, The only types of worms that can be treated without a doctor's prescription are pinworms. These worms are also the most common. The main symptom is that the child will scratch at the anal level. However, some children are not symptomatic. To start a treatment provided by the pharmacist, it is first necessary to visualize worms The simplest method is the flashlight test. This involves looking at the anal area with a flashlight while the child is sleeping. You should see small, round, white worms. Ideally, the test should be done 2 to 3 hours after sleep time. I am linking you to the Ministry of Health document on this subject https://publications.msss.gouv.qc.ca/msss/fichiers/guide-garderie/chap7-oxyurose.pdf If you see worms, you can consult your pharmacist who will prescribe a treatment for the whole family. We look forward to hearing from you, Sarah-Yan Chagnon, pharmacist