Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment of tapeworm

by Dr. Stuart Jenkins DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The most common treatment for tapeworm infection involves oral medications that are toxic to the adult tapeworm, including: Praziquantel (Biltricide) Albendazole (Albenza) Nitazoxanide (Alinia)Mar 16, 2021

Medication

This is what you can do:

  • Squeeze the juice from an onion so that you have about 2 teaspoons.
  • Mix the onion juice with some raw plain yogurt and consume daily.
  • Continue the parasite cleanse with onions for 2-3 weeks to be sure that you completely get rid of parasites and intestinal worms.

Procedures

Take Precautions When Traveling

  • Drink bottled water (using a straw for extra caution)
  • Boil fresh water before drinking
  • Avoid raw fruit, vegetables, and especially raw meat
  • Ensure all meat and fish has been thoroughly cooked (ideally in a hygienic kitchen)

Self-care

  • constipation – 2
  • may go up to three days or more without bowel movement – add an additional 3
  • may go up to one week or more without bowel movement – add an additional 4
  • diarrhea – 1
  • alternating constipation and diarrhea – 1
  • dark circles under the eyes – 1
  • purplish-red angular or triangular coloration areas under the inner corners of the eyes – 5

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How do you get rid of tapeworm naturally?

There is a cycle through which dogs get tapeworms:

  • First, the dog will ingest a host that is harboring tapeworm eggs, most often an adult flea. ...
  • Once digested, the tapeworm eggs settle into your dog’s small intestine. ...
  • The adult tapeworm is made up of lots of small segments, each about the size of a grain of rice, called proglottids. ...

More items...

How to get rid of tapeworms naturally?

How to tell if you have a tapeworm?

How do you get tape worms?

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What is the best way to treat tapeworm?

Tapeworms are usually treated with a medicine taken by mouth. The most commonly used medicine for tapeworms is praziquantel (Biltricide). These medications paralyze the tapeworms, which let go of the intestine, dissolve, and pass from your body with bowel movements.

Which is a drug that kills the tapeworm?

Albendazole is also used along with surgery to treat cystic hydatid disease (infection caused by the dog tapeworm in the liver, lung, and lining of the abdomen that may damage these organs). Albendazole is in a class of medications called antihelmintics. It works by killing the worms.

Can tapeworm be treated at home?

A mixture of ground pumpkin seeds and water can help expel tapeworms. Garlic has strong anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. Eating 3 cloves of raw garlic per day can help get rid of all types of intestinal worms.

How would I know if I had a tapeworm?

SymptomsNausea.Weakness.Loss of appetite.Abdominal pain.Diarrhea.Dizziness.Salt craving.Weight loss and inadequate absorption of nutrients from food.

Where can I buy praziquantel?

Praziquantel (Biltricide) for humans requires a prescription and can't be purchased over the counter. If you're worried that you have an infection from blood or liver flukes, please call your provider.

Can I take albendazole daily?

The dose is usually 15 mg per kg of body weight per day, divided into 2 doses, taken with meals for 28 days. This is followed by not taking albendazole for 14 days, for a total of 3 cycles. The dose is usually not more than 800 mg per day.

Can you feel a tapeworm?

Kids with a tapeworm infection may feel a piece of the worm coming out through the anus (where the poop comes out). You may even see a piece of worm in the poop. A tapeworm that's in the intestines for a long time can get big and block the appendix or other organs, leading to appendicitis and other problems.

What is the best deworming medicine for adults?

Mebendazole is a type of medicine for treating worms. It is used mainly for infections of the gut such as threadworms (sometimes known as pinworms) and other less common worm infections (whipworm, roundworm and hookworm). You can buy mebendazole from a pharmacy. It's also available on prescription.

What do tapeworms look like in poop?

Clinical diagnosis is usually made by observing the white, mobile tapeworm segments in the feces or crawling around the anus. These segments look like grains of white rice or cucumber seeds.

Do tapeworms make you hungry?

weight gain while infected as a tapeworm can increase appetite. an increased craving for carbohydrates.

Do you poop if you have a tapeworm?

Once inside your body, the tapeworm head attaches to the wall of your intestines. It uses the food you eat to grow new segments. The older segments, which contain eggs, then break off and leave your body with your poop.

Will a tapeworm go away by itself?

Treatment for tapeworms in humans Sometimes, the tapeworm leaves the body on its own. This is why some people never have symptoms or only have mild symptoms. If a tapeworm doesn't leave your body, your doctor will recommend a treatment based on the type of infection.

What is the name of the drug that is used to treat tapeworms?

praziquantel (Biltricide) albendazole (Albenza) nitazoxanide (Alinia) After completing treatment, you’ll have a follow-up stool sample to ensure the infection has cleared. If you have an invasive infection and the tapeworm forms a cyst or a lump, your doctor may prescribe an anthelmintic drug to shrink the mass.

How to protect yourself from tapeworms?

You can also protect yourself by washing fruits and vegetables before eating. Additionally, make sure meat is completely cooked before consuming. Eating raw or undercooked pork, beef, or fish raises the risk of infection. If you suspect tapeworms in a family pet, speak with your veterinarian about treatment.

How do you know if you have a tapeworm?

A tapeworm infection can go undiagnosed because some people don’t have any symptoms of an infection or they only experience mild symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they often include: 1 nausea 2 loss of appetite 3 abdominal pain 4 dizziness 5 diarrhea 6 weight loss 7 weakness

What to do if a tapeworm doesn't leave your body?

If a tapeworm doesn’t leave your body, your doctor will recommend a treatment based on the type of infection. For an intestinal infection, you’ll need to take an oral medication to get rid of the tapeworm. Antiparasitic drugs used to treat intestinal infections may include: praziquantel (Biltricide)

What happens if you have a tapeworm?

If left untreated, there’s the risk of developing an invasive infection which can affect your tissue and organs. This can lead to brain swelling, inflammation, and intestinal blockage.

Where do tapeworms live?

Trusted Source. new tapeworm infections in humans in the United States each year. Tapeworms are flat worms that can live in the intestines . Humans can get these worms after eating the undercooked meat of an infected animal. This includes infected pork, beef, or fish.

What are some natural dewormers?

In addition to papaya seeds, there are also claims of other natural dewormers. These include garlic, pumpkin, and ginger. These herbs have had antiparasitic effects in some animals, but more research is needed to confirm the benefits in humans.

What is the medication for tapeworms?

Alinia. Another medication, Alinia (nitazoxanide), is used in cases of infection with the Dwarf tapeworm ( H nana ). 2  Alinia is an antiprotozoal drug that may be dispensed as a tablet or as a liquid suspension. It should be taken just after having a light meal and the liquid preparation should be shaken well before dispensing.

What is the best medicine for tapeworms?

Praziquantel (Biltricide) is one medication used to treat tapeworm infection. 1  It is an antiparasitic drug that belongs to a class of drugs known as antihelmintics . To treat an infection with a tapeworm, one dose of praziquantel is given.

What is the name of the tapeworm?

Medications may differ based on the type of tapeworm involved, such as the beef tapeworm ( Taenia saginata) , pork tapeworm ( Taenia solium) , fish tapeworm ( Diphyllobothrium latum ), Asian tapeworm ( Taenia asiatica ), and dwarf tapeworm ( Hymenolepis nana ). It’s important to take the medication as prescribed and to follow directions ...

What is the complication of a pork tapeworm?

Cysticercosis is a complication of infection with the pork tapeworm ( T. solium ). When a human ingests the eggs of the pork tapeworm, either through contaminated food, water, or from another person, the eggs can form spheres called oncospheres . Oncospheres may travel out of the intestine and through the body.

What to do after tapeworm treatment?

After Treatment. To ensure that the tapeworm infection has cleared, a physician will order stool tests. This test will screen for worms, eggs, or proglottids in the stool to ensure that further treatment isn’t needed or that reinfection hasn’t occurred.

Can tapeworms cause diarrhea?

Most tapeworms do not cause symptoms, although some people experience general digestive issues such as an upset stomach and diarrhea or, over time, weight loss and malnutrition. The most obvious sign of a tapeworm infection is finding actual tapeworms or segments of worms (called proglottids) in your stool. 4.

How to prevent tapeworms?

There are several effective methods of preventing tapeworm infection, including: Good hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before eating. Food precautions: In an area where tapeworms are common, make sure to wash and cook all fruits and vegetables with clean water.

What is a tapeworm?

Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that are shaped like a tape measure. A parasite is an animal or plant that lives inside another animal or plant. A tapeworm cannot live freely on its own. It survives within the gut of animals, including humans.

How do tapeworms get into humans?

Tapeworm eggs normally enter the human host from animals via food, especially raw or undercooked meat. Humans can also become infected if there is contact with animal feces or contaminated water. When an infection is passed from an animal to a human, it is called zoonosis.

How do you know if you have a tapeworm?

Symptoms may vary depending on the type of tapeworm, and they may include the following: eggs, larvae, or segments from the tapeworm in stools. abdominal pain. vomiting. nausea. general weakness. inflammation of the intestine. diarrhea.

What are the symptoms of a tapeworm?

If signs and symptoms are present, they usually include tiredness, abdominal pain, weight loss, and diarrhea. Symptoms may vary depending on the type of tapeworm, and they may include the following:

Where do tapeworms live?

While the adult tapeworm stays in the gut, the larvae may settle in other parts of the body. When a larvae infection finally produces symptoms, the infection may have been present for years. In some rare cases, larvae infection can be life-threatening.

Is pork tapeworm dangerous?

Neurocysticercosis: This is a dangerous complication of pork tapeworm infection. The brain and nervous system are affected. The patient may have headaches, vision problems, seizures, meningitis, and confusion. In very severe cases the infection can be fatal.

What is the best way to treat tapeworms?

The type and length of treatment may depend on the type of tapeworm you have. Tapeworms are usually treated with a medicine taken by mouth.

How to kill tapeworm eggs?

Freezing meat to -4 degrees F for at least 24 hours also kills tapeworm eggs. When traveling in undeveloped countries, cook fruits and vegetableswith boiled or chemically-treated water before eating. Wash hands with soap and hot water before preparing or eating foods. WebMD Medical Reference . Sources .

How many types of tapeworms are there?

Six types of tapeworms are known to infect people. They are usually identified by the animals they come from -- for example, Taenia saginata from beef, Taenia solium from pork, and Diphyllobothrium latum from fish.

What happens if a pork tapeworm moves out of the intestine?

If pork tapeworm larvae move out of the intestine, they can migrate to other parts of the body and cause damage to the liver, eyes, heart, and brain. These infections can be life-threatening. Seizuresare the most common symptom of cystocercosis, the infection caused by the larvae of the pork tapeworm.

Why are tapeworms rare?

Tapeworms are uncommon in the U.S. today because of laws on feeding practices and inspection of the animals we use for food. You can further reduce your risk of tapeworms by washing your hands before and after using the toilet and by following these food safetytips. Avoid raw fish and meat.

How to diagnose tapeworms?

Diagnosing a tapeworm infection may require a stool sample to identify the type of worm . If worms are not detected in the stool, your doctor may order a blood test to check for antibodies produced to fight tapeworm infection.

What is the life cycle of tapeworms?

Tapeworms have a three-stage lifecycle: egg, an immature stage called a larva, and an adult stage at which the worm can produce more eggs. Because larvae can get into the muscles of their hosts, infection can occur when you eat raw or undercooked meat from an infected animal.

How to prevent tapeworms?

To prevent tapeworm infection: Wash your hands with soap and water before eating or handling food and after using the toilet. When traveling in areas where tapeworm is more common, wash and cook all fruits and vegetables with safe water before eating.

How long does it take for tapeworms to kill?

Thoroughly cook meat at temperatures of at least 145 F (63 C) to kill tapeworm eggs or larvae. Freeze meat for as long as seven to 10 days and fish for at least 24 hours in a freezer with a temperature of -31 F (-35 C) to kill tapeworm eggs and larvae. Avoid eating raw or undercooked pork, beef and fish.

What causes tapeworms to form?

Tapeworm infection is caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae. If you ingest certain tapeworm eggs, they can migrate outside your intestines and form larval cysts in body tissues and organs (invasive infection). If you ingest tapeworm larvae, however, they develop into adult tapeworms in your intestines (intestinal infection).

What happens if a tapeworm migrated out of your intestines?

If tapeworm larvae have migrated out of your intestines and formed cysts in other tissues, they can eventually cause organ and tissue damage, resulting in: Headaches. Cystic masses or lumps. Allergic reactions to the larvae. Neurological signs and symptoms, including seizures.

How to kill tapeworms in meat?

If water might not be safe, be sure to boil it for at least a minute and then let it cool off before using it. Eliminate livestock exposure to tapeworm eggs by properly disposing of animal and human feces. Thoroughly cook meat at temperatures of at least 145 F (63 C) to kill tapeworm eggs or larvae.

What is the complication of a tapeworm?

Called neurocysticercosis (noor-o-sis-tih-sur-KOE-sis), this especially dangerous complication of invasive pork tapeworm infection can result in headaches and visual impairment, as well as seizures, meningitis, hydrocephalus or dementia. Death can occur in severe cases of infection. Organ function disruption.

What are the factors that can cause tapeworms?

Factors that may put you at greater risk of tapeworm infection include: Poor hygiene. Infrequent washing and bathing increases the risk of accidental transfer of contaminated matter to your mouth. Exposure to livestock. This is especially problematic in areas where human and animal feces are not disposed of properly.

What is the best medicine for tapeworms?

Other medications that are effective at removing tapeworms include chewables, granuals that are sprinkled on food, and tablets. There are also combination parasite medications that treat tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm in one.

What is tapeworm?

What are Tapeworms? Tapeworms are an intestinal parasite. Along with roundworm , hookworm, and whipworm, this flat, segmented worm is found in dogs, cats, humans, and many other species around the world. The most common tapeworm species is Dipylidium Caninum. The medical term for a tapeworm infestation is Cestodiasis.

How do dogs get tapeworms?

There is a cycle through which dogs get tapeworms: 1 First, the dog will ingest a host that is harboring tapeworm eggs, most often an adult flea. There are a few ways a dog might ingest a flea, such as self-grooming, or grooming a canine or feline housemate. Other animals that are potential transmitters of eggs include birds, rabbits, or rodents, which even a well-fed dog might scavenge for. 2 Once digested, the tapeworm eggs settle into your dog’s small intestine. There it will develop into an adult. 3 The adult tapeworm is made up of lots of small segments, each about the size of a grain of rice, called proglottids. Adult tapeworms usually measure anywhere from four to 28 inches in length. 4 As the tapeworm matures inside the dog’s gut, these segments break off and end up in the dog’s stool. Since these segments contain tapeworm eggs, the cycle will begin again, with a new host and most likely a new recipient.

What is the most common type of tapeworm?

The most common tapeworm species is Dipylidium Caninum. The medical term for a tapeworm infestation is Cestodiasis. If you’ve ever seen photos of tapeworms, your reaction was probably one of automatic revulsion. (Especially those alarming videos of tapeworms being removed from people.

How to prevent tapeworms in dogs?

The best way to avoid a tapeworm infestation is to keep your dog free of flea infestation. The surrounding environment must also be treated to prevent recurring infestations. The CDC recommends these steps to reduce the likelihood of tapeworm infestation:

How to tell if my dog has worms?

This is due to the irritation the segments are causing his skin. You may see your dog licking or biting at the area.

What happens when a dog has a tapeworm?

As the tapeworm matures inside the dog’s gut, these segments break off and end up in the dog’s stool. Since these segments contain tapeworm eggs, the cycle will begin again, with a new host and most likely a new recipient. Courtesy ProLabs.

How to diagnose tapeworms in cats?

If you notice tapeworms, take your cat to the vet for an evaluation. A fecal sample can be used to diagnose intestinal parasites like tapeworms. It’s always helpful to save any worms that you find and bring them to your veterinarian for diagnosis. They can be transported in a sealed plastic bag or jar.

What happens when a cat eats a tapeworm?

As a tapeworm grows, pieces of its body break into segments and pass into your cat’s intestines. You may see dried, white or cream-colored segments of the tapeworm in your cat's feces, or you may find them stuck to the fur under your cat’s tail.

Can a tapeworm cause weight loss in cats?

Keep in mind that a tapeworm infection is often asymptomatic and, contrary to popular belief, rarely a cause of weight loss in cats.

Can cats get tapeworms?

Cats (as well as many other mammals) can have tapeworm infections, and they typically settle in the small intestine. Treatment to destroy tapeworms is a critical step in preventing transmission to humans (typically children), and for preventing damage to your cat's body. An infection with the most common species of tapeworms in cats is not ...

Can you deworm a cat?

Deworming medications are effective at removing tapeworms and very safe for your cat. After treatment, the tapeworms will normally dissolve in the cat’s intestines. You don’t usually see an expulsion of the tapeworms into the feces unless it is an unusually high worm load.

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