Okay so for quite a few days/nights now, at random times of the day and night, my son will out of nowhere start giggling and laughing hysterically and we can't snap him out of it. When we ask him what's wrong or what's going on he says "It tickles!". About 2 minutes later, it stops. This happens at least have a dozen times a day, and the urge is strong enough that it will literally stop him in his tracks. He will bang his head and say "Make it stop" and when I say what he says "the bugs". When we ask where the bugs are he says "My butt". We have looked several (like more than 10) times at his behind at various times of the day and night and see nothing. We even inspected his poop (TMI I know) and see no signs of worms. Now we're wondering if it's worms or perhaps even a mental thing? I can't get into his doctor because they don't see this as a "sick call". Any ideas? I'm confused and worried. BTW, he's 3 and 1/2 if it means anything.
Okay so majority rules. I am trying the tape test. I read about Pin-X online and I'm trying to find it locally. It's OTC but not all pharmacies carry it.
As for the pediatrician, they are just so busy that if it's not a fever or throwing up type illness, there's a wait. Hell, I had to wait over 8 weeks just to get an appointment for his 3-year shots. They are a very popular office and for good reason, they're some of the best in the area.
Thanks to all of you for all the advice, I'm glad it's just not my boy going crazy! You're all great!
Kids ARE very imaginative at this age. Yet, if you have a gutt feeling it's medical, go to another doctor.
I had to switch doctors when my child was young.
This is SUPER common. In Seattle... over 80% of playground tested positive for worm eggs (mostly in middle and upperclass neighborhoods and schools, since low income folk are usually wormed, and middle and up aren't... so you find the most worms in... guess where? And the buggers are super sticky, so they're on swing chains, ladders, school desks... anywhere that kids touch.)
It's a SUPER easy fix. 1-2 pills. Finis. Used to be all children were wormed twice a year, but now only low income children are.
The worms don't usually start exiting in poop until there is a MASSIVE infestation. For pinworms... at night... do the tape thing (clear scotch tape) to check for eggs. Or just skip that and take a poo sample in to be tested.
Pinworms and Roundworms are the most common in our area (from dogs and raccoons), although you find other worms being the most common in other areas (hook, etc.). You won't be able to see most of their eggs (microscopic, the tape thing only shows a few species' eggs)... so I'd just go into the pediatrician's office.
One of my daughters had this issue. She saw little white worms occasionally when she would wipe. Our doctor told us to put a piece of tape on her bottom (anus) before bed. Apparently they come out at night to lay eggs.
And mama, don't be embarrassed! It happens. It's not anything that you did. He could have gotten them anywhere!
*hugs*
I suggest you switch doctors offices, because that is ridiculous, and have him looked at.
I'd call the pediatrician. I'm sure it's nothing serious. but pinworms can be spread easily to other family members but it's easily treatable. I have a friend whose daughter had pinworms. The worms come out at night mostly to lay the eggs outside of the anus. That is the tickling he could feel if that is the case. My friend said she didn't see them in the poop either but she did make a visual confirmation on her daughter's skin after a bowel movement.
If you have pets or go to places where pets go (i.e. parks, friends homes/back yards) then your kiddo could have worms. They are highly contiguous and not at all rare.
Nothing to be embarrassed of. Good for you for noticing.
There are over the counter medications to treat 'em, but it may be worth calling your pediatrician's nurse line to get a recommendation of which to use.
Holy cow, what kind of pediatrician won't see a child if the mother is concerned???? Change docs immediately, go to a different one and have your baby checked out!
You need a new pedi. This is a "sick call". What you can do at home is the tape test. I noticed that some people said do it before bed, but I think it's better when they are sleep. (My son went through this last year. I remember it too well.) I went in around 11 pm with the tape and saw the nasty white thing. It went back in when it spotted the light. There was a milky white stuff all around. I didn't really even need the tape to tell what was going on. The pedi gave us a prescription. We went through two rounds of it. Wash EVERYTHING in hot water. My husband was traveling during all of this, so at least he didn't get them, but I did. It totally sucks. The pedi even gave me a prescription so that I wouldn't have to go to my doc with this.
Hang in there!
I think Adansmama is right. Pinworms cause anal itching, not a tickling sensation. He would be itching his bottom, not having a laughing fit.
As far as getting into the pediatrician, there's nothing they can do diagnostically, other than tell you to look at his anus about 1-2 hrs after he falls asleep. If you see little white things, he's got worms. They only come out at night to lay their eggs, when the body is relaxed. They are not visible in the poop usually. Drs can prescribe medication, but a Dr told us the over-the-counter meds are just as effective. Our Dr told me the key is giving 1 dose as instructed, and then a follow up dose 2 weeks later. The first dose kills the live worms, but not the eggs still in the intestines. The 2nd dose kills the newly hatched worms before they can lay eggs.
Now there's TMI for ya! Can you tell we've had worms before? Your son is at the age when pinworms is common. It's highly contagious, and easily spread amongst little ones who are still mastering wiping and handwashing. (Make sure to teach him to clean under his fingernails, and keep them trimmed) If it is pinworms, make sure to wash sheets the day after giving the medicine, as sometimes the eggs get on the bedding, and that can cause reinfection. Hope you figure it out!
It seemed for some time the hydro colon cleanse was popular. A work acquaintance had this done and told everyone the biggest worm came out and said the nurse said a lot of people have them. No mental issues.
So the doctor won't see him at all? Just call around and get a new doctor.
ok, so I saw the worm thing on Dr. Oz.... He said the worms will usually come out of the anus at night, so take a piece of tape and put it over his anus. The worms will come out and get stuck on the tape - then you will know.... TMI - just passing on what Dr. Oz said....
Can't you get him into the doctor at any time? Can they give you a non emergency visit in a day or two....
There is an over-the-counter medication that is used to treat pinworms by paralyzing them so that they are passed out of the body during a bowel movement. You should be able to get it at any drugstore next to the other "embarrassing" type of treatments. Usually you have to take it twice--One gets rids of the adults, and then in a couple more weeks you take it again to get rid of any eggs that may have hatched. You also need to make certain you wash all of their bedsheets and nightclothing in hot water and vacuum all around the bed the day after the first treatment. Also, If one person in the family has them, it's very probably that other people in the house have contracted them as well so it's a good idea for everyone to take it as a precautionary measure.
Can't get in with the doctor because they don't see it as a sick call?? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! I would suggest finding a new doctor first of all. Secondly, he might just be acting silly. Kids are silly creatures!
Put a piece of strong tape across his rear at bedtime. If its pinworms when they come out, they'll get stuck.
