Ever thought about deworming yourself?
- Thread starter MafiaPrincess
- Start date
Pyrantel only works on a few types of tapeworms, but it does work.
Not sure what all species can infect humans. Taenia saginata and solium for sure (one of the many reasons to thoroughly cook meat; prazi kills both), D. latum (if you eat raw fish I suppose; prazi kills this one) possibly, and D. caninum (common dog tapeworm) if you eat fleas...Prazi kills this one too.
There's a couple others humans can get (E. granulosas - which is VERY cool but also very rare in the US; if you want to be grossed out, read about this one and be sure to google image search 'hydatid cysts'
- for instance) but they generally aren't found in the US.
And really tapeworms, unless you just have a super heavy infection (at which point you'd probably know) don't consume enough nutrients to make a difference in your diet. The "you must have a tapeworm!" thing is a bit of a myth. There's also grosser stuff living inside you already, so what's one more to the party?
Oh and it should be noted that your body has an immune system and keeps stuff in check for the most part. It can kill tapeworms (unless they encyst in your muscles).
Not sure what all species can infect humans. Taenia saginata and solium for sure (one of the many reasons to thoroughly cook meat; prazi kills both), D. latum (if you eat raw fish I suppose; prazi kills this one) possibly, and D. caninum (common dog tapeworm) if you eat fleas...Prazi kills this one too.
There's a couple others humans can get (E. granulosas - which is VERY cool but also very rare in the US; if you want to be grossed out, read about this one and be sure to google image search 'hydatid cysts'
- for instance) but they generally aren't found in the US. And really tapeworms, unless you just have a super heavy infection (at which point you'd probably know) don't consume enough nutrients to make a difference in your diet. The "you must have a tapeworm!" thing is a bit of a myth. There's also grosser stuff living inside you already, so what's one more to the party?
Oh and it should be noted that your body has an immune system and keeps stuff in check for the most part. It can kill tapeworms (unless they encyst in your muscles).
As a healthy, immunocompetent adult, I don't really worry about it for myself. If I had kids or any vulnerable adults in my home I would probably ask the doctor for something. But I wouldn't do it myself unless the doctor was no help whatsoever.
ETA: But honestly the mere thought doesn't creep me out THAT much. I'm not a very squeamish person, though.
ETA: But honestly the mere thought doesn't creep me out THAT much. I'm not a very squeamish person, though.
