Parasitic Worms

What to do about types of parasitic worms

Most people realize that dogs and cats can get worms, but humans can get a parasite worm, too. Some of the most common parasitic worms that affect humans are pinworms and roundworms. The tapeworm can also get into the human intestine and affect a person's digestion, appetite and physical health.

Common Parasitic Worms

Many people also think ringworm belongs in this category, but ringworm is technically caused by a fungus, not a worm. Tapeworms, pinworms and roundworms are actual living worms. What are the symptoms you'll have if you have a worm living inside you?

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, cause extreme anal itching. In fact, you may be able to see the worms around the edge of the anus and in your stool. They get the name threadworm because they look like small cotton threads, and appear as white squiggly or straight lines in feces. Threadworms can be prevented by practicing good hygiene, like washing the hands after using the bathroom, which can stop the spread of many diseases. They lay eggs around the anus, and when someone scratches, the eggs are passed onto the hand and can be spread to other people.

Roundworms are usually caught while traveling and cause stomach cramps, coughing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes the worms can be seen in feces.

Tapeworms are rarer. Segments of these flat worms can be seen in feces. You get tapeworms from eating something that contains tapeworm eggs, or food that is contaminated by feces that contains the eggs. Undercooked pork, fish or beef can contain these eggs. Tapeworms will often not cause any symptoms for a while, besides showing up in the stool. They may even pass out of your body without you knowing. But when the worm grows there may be stomach pain, appetite changes, weight loss, deficiencies of vitamins and problems from malnutrition.

Treatments for Parasitic Worms

Itching can be treated by creams designed for that purpose, but to kill the worms inside the body there are various systemic medications that can be prescribed by a doctor. In severe cases, IV medications may be called for.