Yes, you should see a doctor if you think you have worms for a proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if you see worms in your stool, have persistent diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, or severe fatigue, as some worm infections need specific medication and can have serious complications if untreated. For mild cases like threadworms, you might start with a pharmacist, but a doctor can confirm the type of worm and provide the correct prescription, notes the {Link: HSE.ie https://www.hse.ie/conditions/worms-in-humans/} and {Link: my.clevelandclinic.org https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15240-roundworms}.
See a GP if you:
find a large worm, a piece of worm or worm eggs in your poo. have a red, itchy worm-shaped rash on your skin.
Diagnosis of worms
Sometimes, with heavy infections, the thin adult threadworms may be seen on the surface of freshly passed faeces. Sometimes the worms can be seen around the child's anus if examined with a torch at night time. The best method of diagnosis is by the 'sticky tape test'.
Threadworms (pinworms) are tiny worms in your poo. They're common in children and are spread easily. You can treat them without seeing a GP.
In more severe cases of intestinal worms, nausea and vomiting may develop.
Symptoms of other worm infections
You can spot threadworms in your poo. They look like pieces of white thread. You might also see them around your child's bottom (anus). The worms usually come out at night while your child is sleeping.
The worms will die after 6 weeks so provided you do not swallow any new eggs then no new worms will grow to replace them. Strict attention to hygiene should be sufficient.
10 FOOD TO KILL INTESTINAL WORMS NATURALLY:
The most common intestinal parasite infection globally is ascariasis. It affects about 1 billion people worldwide. In the U.S., the most common infections are from protozoa, especially the giardia parasite. Pinworms are the most common intestinal worm in the U.S.
10 Warning Signs of Parasitic Infections
Antiparasitic medications that treat worm infections are called anthelmintics. Most are accessible with a prescription, but some are available over the counter (OTC). Mebendazole (Emverm), ivermectin (Stromectol), and pyrantel pamoate (Reese's Pinworm Medicine, others) are three common anthelmintics.
Roundworms and tapeworms typically appear as long, spaghetti-like, or segmented flat worms in stool, whereas hookworms and pinworms are smaller, thread-like worms. Stool tests, particularly the Ova and Parasite (O&P) test, along with blood tests and imaging, are effective for assessing parasitic infections.
While many people may experience no immediate symptoms, the effects of untreated intestinal worms in humans may be far-reaching. Over time, these worms can cause nutrient deficiencies, weaken the immune system, and lead to chronic digestive problems.
Treatment to get rid of worms
You might be asked to give a sample of poo so it can be tested for worm eggs. If you have worms, your GP will prescribe medicine to kill them. You take this for one to three days. The people you live with may also need to be treated.
Symptoms of a pinworm infection can include:
Parasite Cleanse Diet Changes
Some natural medicine providers also suggest a gut cleanse or detox. This involves pairing a high-fiber diet with supplements to clear out your intestines. These supplements include psyllium, beetroot, and flaxseeds.
Knowing if you have parasites involves recognizing symptoms like digestive issues (diarrhea, bloating, pain), unexplained weight loss, fatigue, skin rashes, or muscle aches, but often infections are subtle or asymptomatic, so a doctor's diagnosis through stool samples or blood tests is crucial for confirmation, especially if you have persistent symptoms like fever, extreme fatigue, or blood in your stool.
Some mattress worms are simply parasitic worms, and will remain in their worm-form their entire life. Some common worms that might appear in your home are pinworms, roundworms, and hookworms. If you see tiny white worms crawling on your bed sheets, they could be any of the following: Bed bugs.
Worms are not usually fatal but in serious cases they can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and anaemia. In children, they can also contribute to malnutrition, stunted growth, and absences from school.
For the itching, wash the skin around the anus with warm water. For severe itch, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid) 2 times per day. Use for 1 or 2 days. No prescription is needed.
Do pinworms go away if they're untreated? No. Untreated pinworms lay more eggs, making it easier to spread the infection. Your child will need medicine to get rid of them.
Risk factors for pinworms include poor hygiene, eating after touching contaminated items and living with an individual who is identified as egg positive.
Anyone can get pinworms
While an infected person sleeps, female pinworms crawl out of the anus and lay their eggs on the surrounding skin. People get pinworm infections from swallowing these eggs after touching an infected person's skin or personal belongings, such as clothing, bedding, and toys.