How to Deworm Yourself Safely

Most people are not aware of how common intestinal worms are.  Parasite worms are especially common in developing countries, but can infect anyone, regardless of age and where they reside. Understanding the neurological conditions, treatment pathways, and medical intervention are critical when determining how to self-deworm safely.

This document outlines key facts regarding deworming processes, the pharmaceuticals that enable this, potential deworming supplements, as well as critical data to build a foundation for the remaining text.

What Are Intestinal Worms?

Parasites that infest the human digestive system are known as intestinal worms, or helminths. The principal forms of helminths are:

• Round worms
• Pin worms
• Hook worms
• Tape worms
• Whip worms

Global health research shows that the infection rate of soil transmitted helminths is 1.5 billion people. This is especially seen in children, and is more frequent in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world.

While many people go unnoticed incurable stages of the disease, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies, anemia, and digestive issues.

Signs You May Need Deworming

Worm infection indicators differ per individual; however, many experience the following:

• Abdominal cramps/pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Unexplainable weight loss
• Anal itching (especially with pinworms)
• Fatigue
• Stools with visible worms.

A worm infection can impact the growth and concentration of children. In places with high rates of infections, mass de-worming increases school attendance and improves nutrition.

If you have a worm infection, a professional diagnosis is essential before starting treatment.

Medical Treatment for Deworming

Worm expulsion medication is the best and most dependable option for worm infection. Doctors provide prescriptions for antiparasitic medications that they believe cater best towards the indicated infection.

Some widely used medications include:

Mebendazole

primarily used for pinworms, roundworms, and whipworms, and works by forfeiting the worms’ glucose absorption abilities.

Albendazole

Has a wider range activity against intestinal worms and works by forfeiting the parasite’s cellular energy production.

Ivermectin

primarily used for specific parasitic worms

praziquantel

Optimally used for infections elicited via tapeworms.

In most cases, you will need to take a second dose of medication, which is recommended after two weeks, to protect the body from reinfection.

Recent research shows that modern deworming medications have an 80-95% success rate for treatment of common intestinal worms, assuming that they are administered appropriately.

To maximize the success rate of the treatment, it is important to do the following:

• Take the prescribed dosage for the entire duration of the treatment
• If household members are at risk of having intestinal worms, they should also be treated
• Ensure that the entire household practice strict hygienic measures to avoid reinfestation of the intestinal worms

Can You Deworm Yourself at Home?

Certain medications are certainly the most recommended best course of action to eliminate an intestinal worm infection at home, and certainly if an infection is left untreated it can also clear up on its own assuming that the individual has a sufficiently strong immune system and that they practice good hygiene. However, if the individual has a sufficiently strong immune system, then it is left at the potential risk of outperforming the individual’s immune system and then providing a severe infection.

An individual should certainly receive medical assistance and treatment if they are experiencing symptoms that are moderate or severe, or if they can see worms in their stools.

Natural Remedies That May Support Deworming

Certain natural approaches should not be used to replace modern medical approaches to treating a confirmed parasitic infection at home, but may assist to some degree to create an environment that is more hostile to parasitic infections and improve the overall environment of the gut:

Garlic for deworming your self

Garlic contains natural compounds with antimicrobial action, and it is also generally accepted that it may have some antiparasitic effects.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are from a certain species of the plant that are known to have a compound in it called “cucurbitacin”, and it is believed that it can cause paralysis in certain species of worms, and as a result, they can be removed from the intestine more easily.

Papaya Seeds

In some traditional cultures, constipation has been treated by the use of papaya seeds, and therefore, they may also be of some use for intestinal health.

Turmeric

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric may assist to some degree in reducing intestinal irritation.

These methods may be well known in alternative medicine but the quality of evidence is inconsistent. They should be used as adjuncts to therapy.

Hygiene Practices to Prevent Reinfection

Reinfection is very common, especially with pinworm. But, with some hygienic practices, the risk can be kept to the minimum. These practices may include;

• Washing your hands and using soap
• Keeping your nails very short
• Avoid touching your mouth or biting your nails
• Always wash the linens or undergarments of your family members who are receiving treatment in your household,
• Keep your toilets or restrooms clean.

In some communities, the reinfection rate can go beyond 30%. This shows how environmental control is equally important,

Who is Most at Risk?

The following mentioned are at a greater risk are;

• Children aged 5 – 14
• People living in overcrowded conditions
• People living in areas with poor or no sanitation
• People that move to areas of high risk

In places with high infection rates, schools are targeted for mass de-worming, leading to a significant drop in infection rates and improving nutritional status of the children.

When to See the Doctor

You should seek care is you experience:

• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained cases of Anemia
• diarrhea
• Weight loss
• presence of worms in the stool
• symptoms that last longer than a few days

Negligence of the infection may lead to intestinal blockage or an infection. This is a complication of Severe infections.

Final Considerations

Knowing the type of infection coupled with safe methods of deworming yourself is essential prior to beginning any treatments. When taken correctly, antiparasitic medications are the most reliable and evidence-based treatments with the most success.

While natural remedies deworm yourself can be beneficial to the digestive system, in confirmed cases, they should not replace medical therapy. Appropriate treatment, coupled with effective hygiene and prevention, is essential to avoid reinfection.

A suspected worm infection should be addressed with prompt diagnosis and treatment to restore comfort and avoid further issues. Most intestinal worm infections can be managed with the right approach.

Read Also : Best Deworming Medicine for Children and Adults