Many types of worm can cause problems in humans. Show In Australia, worms that may infect people include:
These intestinal worms are parasites – they survive by living in another living thing (the host) and getting their food from it. What are the symptoms of a worm infection?A person with intestinal worms may not have any symptoms, but threadworms (Enterobius vermicularis), the most common worm infection in Australia, often do cause symptoms. A person with threadworms (also known as pinworms) may have an itchy bottom or redness and scratch marks around the bottom. A child with threadworms may be irritable, not sleep very well and lose their appetite. Threadworms (come out of the anus at night to lay their eggs between the buttocks, causing extreme itching. They look like small white threads moving about and may be seen with a torch. The threadworms may also be seen on the surface of the stools (poo) if a person has a heavy infestation. Other types of worms may not cause any symptoms (for example pork and beef tapeworms or Strongyloides stercoralis) or only cause symptoms a long time after infection (for example dog tapeworm) or if there is heavy infection. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, tiredness and weakness, abdominal pain and weight loss. Some worms cause anaemia. Once they have entered humans by penetrating the skin, the larvae of some worms, for example dog hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum) or Strongyloides, can migrate under the skin causing diagnostic pink or red curving tracks known as larva migrans or larva currens. The tracks may be raised and cause intense itching. There may be tingling or prickling half an hour after the larvae penetrate the skin. CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. How do you get worms?Threadworms are usually acquired by ingesting the eggs. Humans are the only host of threadworms. The adult worms live in the lower intestine, coming out of the anus at night to lay their eggs. Children with threadworms can get the eggs under their fingernails when scratching their itchy bottoms at night. The eggs can then be spread via bed linen, bathroom fittings and other items, even food. The eggs can survive for around 2 weeks like this on surfaces. Some other types of worms enter humans when their larvae penetrate the skin, often through bare feet. Dog hookworms can be caught like this through the skin. This commonly happens by being barefoot outdoors and coming into contact with larval hookworms in soil or sand contaminated with stool from an infected dog. Strongyloides, a roundworm, also infects humans when its larvae penetrate the skin. Pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) and beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata) can be acquired from eating undercooked meat containing cysts of the tapeworm larvae. These infections are not common in Australia, and are usually only acquired overseas. Dog tapeworms (Echinococcus granulosus) are yet another type of tapeworm. They can infect humans who accidentally ingest the tapeworm’s eggs, which are released from dog or dingo stools. The tapeworm sheds segments into the animal’s stool, which then rupture releasing the eggs. The eggs can contaminate a dog’s coat, kennel, and fields and play areas. A person may then ingest an egg and become infected. Patting an infected dog may be enough to get infected. Dog tapeworm can cause a serious disease in humans, known as hydatid disease. Dwarf tapeworms (Hymenolepsis nana) are acquired by ingesting dwarf tapeworm eggs or are transmitted between people in areas of poor sanitation and hygiene. Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) infection happens if a person ingests the eggs from contact with infected soil, or by eating foods grown in soil that contains whipworm eggs. How are worms diagnosed?Threadworms can be diagnosed by a ‘sticky tape test’ available from your doctor. The test detects threadworm eggs that are deposited around the anus at night. It involves using special sticky tape to take a sample first thing in the morning. The sticky tape is pressed onto the area around the anus, causing any threadworm eggs present to stick to the tape. The doctor or a laboratory will examine the tape under the microscope to look for the eggs. Other types of worms may be diagnosed in the laboratory from a fresh stool sample. For example, tapeworms are diagnosed by finding worm segments or worm eggs in a stool sample. Other worms are diagnosed by the presence of eggs, larvae or the parasites themselves, in the stool sample. Dog hookworm may be diagnosed by finding the parasite on a gut biopsy specimen. The characteristic rash of larva migrans on the skin can also indicate infection with dog hookworm. If this rash moves very quickly, e.g. 2-10 cm per hour, then it is known as larva currens, and indicates infection with Strongyloides. Infection with some parasites, for example Strongyloides, may cause eosinophilia, an increase in the type of white blood cells known as eosinophils. What do intestinal worms look like?Intestinal worms that infect humans and their larvae vary in appearance and size:
What are the treatments for worms?The treatment for threadworms is worming tablets, which are available from the pharmacy. All the family should be treated, even if they have no symptoms. When taking the medicine, you should also ensure you follow strict hygiene practices to prevent re-infestation. Other intestinal worm infections are also treated with medicines that kill the parasite without harming the person, such as albendazole, mebendazole, ivermectin and praziquantel. Your doctor or a gastroenterologist will advise on the appropriate medicine and the dose. The worms are then usually passed out of the body. Hydatid disease, caused by dog tapeworm, is serious and potentially fatal. The cysts may be in the liver, lungs, spleen or kidneys, and rarely the brain. Removal of the cysts requires tricky surgery and medicines. Can a child with worms go to daycare or school?Children with worms can still go to daycare or school if they have been treated, unless they have loose bowel motions. How can you avoid getting worms?Good hand hygiene and keeping fingernails short is the best way to avoid threadworms. Aside from threadworms, most worm infections in Australia occur in rural and remote communities, or in travellers returning from overseas. They are more common in tropical or subtropical areas. To avoid these types of worms:
Pinworms are tiny, thin worms that can infect the colon and intestines of humans. People of all ages can get pinworm infections, but they tend to affect children or those who live in close quarters. Pinworm infection is the most common worm infection in the United States. It is highly contagious and spreads quickly from person to person through ingestion or inhalation of the eggs. Pinworm infections occur when a female pinworm lays eggs in the folds of skin around the anus. This causes intense itching, particularly at nighttime. When the infected person scratches the anal area, eggs can get on the fingers and under the fingernails and contaminate items such as bedding and clothing. People living in the same household as the infected person may come into contact with the eggs and also get an infection. It is possible to have a pinworm infection with no symptoms at all, so it is essential that all members of the household receive treatment.
Some people may be interested in natural home remedies to get rid of pinworms. While there are some popular home remedies for pinworms, there is little scientific evidence to support their use. People who believe that they have a pinworm infection should seek medical attention first. They can then use the home remedies below as complementary treatments. WormwoodEarly studies suggest that the herb wormwood may be effective as a treatment for some parasitic infections. People can use wormwood by making it into a tea or tincture. It is best to speak to a doctor before trying it and to limit its use to a maximum of 4 weeks. People have used wormwood for centuries to treat pinworm, and it has also featured in veterinary medicine too. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that wormwood is effective for pinworm infections in humans. GarlicGarlic is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. Some people use it as a complementary remedy for pinworm, hookworm, and roundworm infections. To use garlic, people can eat the cloves raw or use chopped garlic in a variety of dishes. Alternatively, they can mix finely minced garlic with petroleum jelly to form a paste, which they can apply directly to the skin in the anal area. However, it is vital not to apply the paste to hemorrhoids, areas of skin breakdown, or irritated skin. CarrotsRaw carrots are rich in fiber, which can help keep the digestive system healthy and promote regular bowel movements. Researchers do not know whether carrots fight against pinworms directly, but they may help push the pinworms out of the intestines. Unless a person has an allergy to carrots, eating them raw is a safe home remedy. It is best to wash carrots first to eliminate bacteria and pesticides. Pumpkin seedsPumpkin seeds contain a compound called cucurbitacin. Very early studies suggested that this compound might make pumpkin seeds effective against internal parasites. In fact, the United States Pharmacopoeia listed pumpkin seeds as a treatment for intestinal parasites in the years 1863–1936. It is possible to eat pumpkin seeds or blend them with water to form a paste to eat. However, there is no recent evidence to suggest that pumpkin seeds can help get rid of pinworms. Coconut oilCoconut oil has a range of different household and health uses. It is a popular home remedy for pinworms, as many people believe that applying the oil around the anal area can prevent the female from laying eggs there. Some people also ingest a teaspoon of pure coconut oil each morning. As long as people are not allergic to the oil, it is safe for them to try this. However, there is no scientific evidence that coconut oil is an effective remedy for pinworms. Papaya seedsA 2012 study in rats demonstrated that papaya seeds could treat worm infections. However, no studies in humans show that they are effective. To use this treatment, a person can eat papaya seeds, either on their own or with honey to sweeten them. Share on PinterestWashing linen and towels may help during treatment. The standard medical treatment for pinworm infections is medication, but people must also remove all traces of the worms from the household by cleaning and adopting good hygiene practices. As pinworms pass easily from one person to another, doctors recommend that everyone in the household receives treatment to help prevent reinfection. The most common and effective prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications for pinworm infections include:
A typical course of medication will consist of an initial dose and then a second dose a couple of weeks later. It is also essential to keep the house clean and practice good hygiene during treatment. Hygiene practices and household cleaning strategies should include:
Pinworm infections do not usually cause severe complications, but they can disrupt sleep and reduce a person’s quality of life. Some people may wish to try using home remedies for pinworms. However, if symptoms persist, it is best to see a doctor to obtain the proper treatment and eradicate the infection. Pinworm infections are straightforward to treat with medication and good hygiene practices. It is essential to treat everyone in the household to prevent reinfection from pinworm eggs. |
How to get rid of worms in humans without medication
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