In mild cases, children with ascariasis may have no obvious symptoms. In severe cases, they may exhibit poor appetite, cravings for unusual substances, pale complexion, emaciation, intermittent periumbilical abdominal pain, soft abdomen upon palpation, or palpable masses of worms that gather and disperse, vomiting or passing worms in stools, and irregular bowel movements. Some children may develop light-colored spots, blueish patches on the sclera, small white spots on the lower lip, thin or patchy tongue coating, or a red tip of the tongue. The cause of this condition is ingestion of Ascaris eggs. Transmission routes mainly include contaminated hands or consumption of unclean food. Children with weak spleen and stomach function, irregular diet, and pre-existing damp-heat are more susceptible. Clinically effective traditional prescriptions and folk remedies include:
[Formula One] Shi Junzi 30 grams, lean pork 20 grams, flour 30 grams. Crush the Shi Junzi flesh, wash and chop the pork finely, mix with flour evenly, make 10 cakes, steam until cooked. Take 1 cake twice daily. Suitable for children with deficiency-heat and ascariasis.
[Formula Two] Shi Junzi in appropriate quantity. Lightly roast until fragrant. Administer 2 grains per year of age per day (maximum 20 grains daily), chewed in 3 portions, taken continuously for 3 days as one course. Suitable for pediatric ascariasis and pinworm disease.
[Formula Three] Lianggenbaipi and Binglang each 20 grams, sugar as needed. Remove bark from Lianggenbaipi, combine with Binglang slices, decoct in water, concentrate, add sugar to form 60 ml syrup. Drink before bedtime on an empty stomach, continue for 2 days. Suitable for pediatric ascariasis and hookworm disease.
[Formula Four] Fengyan Guo 7–10 pieces (shell removed), lean pork 100 grams. Boil both ingredients with sufficient water, season with a little salt, drink the soup and eat Fengyan Guo and pork. Effective for pediatric malnutrition and ascariasis.
[Formula Five] Pumpkin seeds washed clean, dried, shelled, ground into extremely fine powder. For children over 5 years old: 10–15 grams per dose; for children under 5: 6–9 grams per dose. Mix with honey and take twice daily for 2–3 days. Effective for pediatric ascariasis.
[Formula Six] Huanglian 3 grams, Wu Mei 10 grams, Huangbai (stir-fried) 5 grams, Shi Junzi 12 grams, Binglang and Chuangjiao (stir-fried) each 10 grains, Jinlingtan 9 grams, Xixin 2 grams, Tufuling 15 grams, Chishaoyao 10 grams. Decoct and take once daily, three times per day. This formula by Li Yuefang calms worms and relieves pain, suitable for pediatric ascariasis.
[Formula Seven] Wu Mei 15 grams, Xixin 6 grams, Chuangjiao 3 grams, Dangshen and Danggui each 9 grams, Huanglian, Huangbai, Ganjiang each 6 grams, Guizhi 9 grams. Decoct to yield 500 ml, administer via rectal drip infusion at 40–50 drops per minute. This formula by He Chengyao is suitable for pediatric ascariasis-induced intestinal obstruction.<pediatric ascariasis>