We recently received a message from a reader in distress. Her message began with “HOW DO I GET RID OF THEM?!” She went on to explain that she had ascaris lumbricoides parasite worms, got rid of them, and now has horse worms. She said she has done everything, and yet she can’t get rid of the horse worms. She ended her message pleading for “HELP!!!!!!” She didn’t include any photos in her message. Unfortunately, we cannot offer much comfort to our reader. Since we aren’t medical professionals, we can’t give her any medical advice. We will provide some general information on the worms, but we encourage our reader seek help with her medical provider as soon as possible.

We actually just recently wrote an article about ascaris worms. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, ascaris worms, or small intestinal roundworms, are soil-transmitted parasites. Ascariasis is caused by ingesting eggs. This might occur when humans touch soil where ascaris eggs have been deposited and then put their fingers in their mouths, or when they consume plants that have grown in egg-ridden soil that haven’t been properly cleaned and prepared. Most people infected with ascaris worms show no symptoms, or they have mild abdominal discomfort. Ascariasis can be treated by a medical professional.

We aren’t sure exactly what our reader means by “horse worms.” We don’t know of any parasites known as “horse worms”. However, there is a parasite known as “horsehair worm”. We assume this is what our reader is talking about. Horsehair worms, or Nematomorpha, live in damp areas such as watering troughs, swimming pools, ponds, and lakes. Adult horsehair worms are free living, but the larvae are parasitic to arthropods like beetles, cockroaches, and crustaceans. According to the University of California Cooperative Extension, horsehair worms are not harmful to humans.

To wrap up, we heard from a reader who believes she is infected with “horse worms”. We recommend that she see a doctor immediately for proper care.

Summary

Article Name

Reader Worried About Ascaris Worms and Horse Worms

Description

We heard from a reader who believes she is infected with "horse worms". We recommend that she see a doctor immediately for proper care.

Author

Dori Franklin