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Worms are parasitic creatures that rely on a host, including humans, for survival. The most common cause of worm infections is drinking contaminated water or eating tainted food. These parasites come in various types. In this article, you'll find information on the common signs caused by the most prevalent worms, along with specific symptoms of tapeworms, pinworms, threadworms, and roundworms. Begin with Step 1 below for further details.
Steps
Recognizing Common Symptoms of Worm Infections
Monitor unexplained weight loss. When infected with worms, the nutrients you receive are reduced because the worms consume them. Even though your eating habits remain the same, you might start losing weight due to the reduced absorption of nutrients and calories, as the worms have consumed them.
- If you notice unexplained weight loss, track the amount of weight you've lost. If the weight continues to drop, consult a doctor.
Take note of unexplained constipation. If you're experiencing constipation without understanding the cause, you might be infected with worms. Worms can irritate the intestines, leading to digestive issues. This can reduce the amount of water absorbed by the body, causing constipation.
- For example, if you continue eating high-fiber foods, drinking plenty of water, and engaging in activities to promote bowel movements but still can't go, you may be dealing with a worm infection.
Pay attention to bloating discomfort after traveling to a new area. If you've recently returned from a region known for having worm infestations and suddenly experience uncomfortable bloating, you might have contracted worms. Bloating can also be accompanied by abdominal pain.
- If you returned from abroad and had diarrhea, but after taking medication for it, the bloating persists, it could be a sign of a worm infection.
Be aware that worms can make you feel either constantly hungry or never hungry. Worm infections can cause extreme hunger right after eating or make you feel overly full even when you haven't eaten anything.
- This happens because the worms consume the food you eat, leaving you hungry, but they can also cause bloating, making you feel full.
Monitor for fatigue or persistent exhaustion. Worms take nutrients from the food you consume, causing hunger. At the same time, nutrient deficiency leads to a drop in energy levels, leaving you easily fatigued. This may result in:
- Constant tiredness.
- Extreme fatigue after even minor physical exertion.
- A desire to sleep without doing anything.
Be aware that some individuals may not show symptoms. The effects of worms can vary from person to person. It is important to visit a doctor if you've traveled to an area with known worm problems. It’s better to be cautious, especially when dealing with parasitic worms in the body.
Identifying the signs of tapeworm infection
Check your stool for tapeworm segments. If you're infected with tapeworms, you might spot segments of the tapeworm in the toilet after bowel movements or in your underwear. If you find tapeworm segments in these places, contact your doctor immediately. Tapeworm segments typically appear as:
- Small, fibrous pieces
- Off-white in color
Observe if your eyes and skin appear pale. If you're concerned about a tapeworm infection, look into a mirror to check the color of your eyes and skin. Tapeworms can lead to iron deficiency as they absorb blood, causing blood loss. As blood levels drop, your skin and eyes may become pale.
- Tapeworms cause blood loss, which may result in anemia. Symptoms of anemia include: unusual heart palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and trouble concentrating.
Pay attention to abdominal pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Tapeworms can block openings and tubes in the intestines and intestinal walls. When the intestines become obstructed, you might experience abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- The abdominal pain often occurs around the navel area.
Monitor for diarrhea. Tapeworms can invade and inflame the lining of the small intestine, leading to the secretion of excessive fluids. When this fluid secretion becomes too much, the body struggles to absorb the excess fluid, which leads to diarrhea.
Be aware of dizziness. This symptom is quite rare and typically only occurs in those infected with fish tapeworms. Fish tapeworms absorb a significant amount of vitamin B12 from the body, potentially leading to a condition called megaloblastic anemia. A low red blood cell count can result in:
- Dizziness.
- Memory loss.
- Dementia.
Recognize the signs of pinworm infection
Watch for itching and irritation. Pinworms can cause skin irritation as they release toxins into the bloodstream of the infected person. These toxins accumulate in the skin, causing itching, which may resemble eczema.
- The itching tends to worsen at night, as pinworms usually lay their eggs at night.
- The itching is often more intense around the anus, as this is where pinworms commonly deposit their eggs.
Consider sleep disturbances or mood changes. You might notice difficulties falling asleep or waking up more frequently during the night. This could be a sign of pinworm infection, as the pinworm eggs release toxins into the bloodstream. These toxins can travel to the brain and disrupt normal brain function.
- This can also lead to mood changes, such as suddenly feeling anxious when you were previously calm.
Be mindful of muscle and joint pain. Just like the itching and sleep problems, the toxins released by pinworm eggs can travel to the muscles and joints. This condition can cause:
- Muscle and joint inflammation.
- Dull or aching pain.
Be aware if you start grinding your teeth at night. If you suddenly begin grinding your teeth during sleep, something that never happened before, it could indicate a pinworm infection. The toxins released by the pinworms can trigger stress, causing you to grind your teeth at night. Signs that you might be grinding your teeth while sleeping include:
- Flattened or worn-down teeth.
- Increased tooth sensitivity.
- Jaw pain.
- Feeling of tightness in the jaw.
- Ear pain or headaches.
- Bite marks on the tongue and inside of the cheeks.
Seek medical attention if you have experienced seizures or are worried about having them. In severe cases, the toxins from pinworms can actually cause seizures. These toxins may disrupt brain function and lead to seizures. Symptoms include:
- Jerking movements in the arms, legs, or other parts of the body.
- A feeling of dizziness or light-headedness.
- Loss of control over urination or defecation.
- Confusion or unexplained memory loss.
Recognize the signs of hookworm infection
Watch for sudden itching and rashes on the skin. If infected with hookworms, the first symptom you may notice is increased itching on your skin. This itching begins when hookworm larvae penetrate the skin. You might also notice swelling and redness in the areas most affected by the itching, which is caused by the larvae entering the skin.
- Hookworms commonly cause itching on the hands and feet.
Monitor for nausea and diarrhea. As hookworms enter the intestines, they can irritate the digestive tract, leading to nausea and diarrhea. The hookworms may also release toxins, causing digestive disturbances. Nausea might or might not be accompanied by vomiting.
- Look out for blood in the stool. The blood may appear red or black.
Be aware of abdominal cramps. Hookworms can cause inflammation of the colon. They can also irritate the lining of the intestines, including the colon, cecum, and rectum. When this happens, you may experience abdominal cramps.
Pay attention if you suddenly experience iron deficiency. This symptom only occurs in severe hookworm infections. Hookworms directly feed on the host's blood, leading to iron deficiency in the host. Signs of iron deficiency include:
- Extreme fatigue and weakness.
- Pale skin and eyes.
- Chest pain and headaches.
- Shortness of breath.
Recognize the signs of hairworm infection
Notice if you constantly feel the urge to defecate. This condition is called tenesmus. The body's immune system is fighting the invasion of parasites like worms, which can lead to intestinal inflammation. This inflammation in the intestines and stomach makes it harder to defecate, causing tenesmus, or the sensation of needing to go even when the intestines are empty. This condition can lead to:
- Straining during bowel movements
- Pain in the rectum.
- Cramping.
Be aware of signs of hairworms causing intestinal obstruction. Hairworms can block or damage the walls and cavities of the intestines. When an obstruction occurs, symptoms may include:
- Abdominal cramps.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
Monitor frequent diarrhea and dehydration. Hairworms often embed themselves in the intestinal walls, leading to increased secretion of fluid and/or decreased absorption of fluids in the colon. As the colon begins to secrete more fluid, the body has difficulty reabsorbing it, which can result in:
- Diarrhea.
- Dehydration or persistent thirst.
- Electrolyte and nutrient imbalances.
Seek medical attention if you notice rectal prolapse. When infected with hairworms, the rectum loses its internal support due to the worms burrowing into the intestinal lining. This can weaken the muscles around the intestines, leading to rectal prolapse. This condition occurs when:
- The end of the colon, just inside the anus, turns inside out and may protrude outside the body.
Recognize the signs of roundworm infection
Watch out for severe abdominal pain. Roundworms can cause intestinal blockage because they often grow to large sizes, and in some cases, they can grow as large as a pencil. When the intestines become blocked, you may experience severe stomach pain. You might feel:
- Pain in the stomach that feels like cramping and seems unrelenting.
Be aware if you begin to feel itching around the anus. Roundworms can lay eggs, and their eggs can release toxins into your body, causing itching around the anus.
- The itching may be worse at night since the worms typically lay eggs during the night while you sleep.
Seek medical attention if you notice worms when blowing your nose or passing stool. When roundworms reproduce, they may begin to leave their host in search of a new one. Roundworms can exit the body through various routes, typically via:
- The mouth.
- The nose.
- The anus.
Advice
- People with mild hookworm infection often do not show any symptoms.
Warning
- If you suspect you have worms, see a doctor immediately for treatment.
