Treatment | Worms in the intestine

Treatment

An important aspect of the treatment of intestinal worm diseases is the prevention of reinfections or new infections in contact persons. To this end, it is important to adhere to strict hygiene measures. This includes not only thorough hand washing after bowel movements, but also avoiding the consumption of unwashed self-harvested fruit and the consistent cooking of meat.

In addition, showers should be taken daily and bed linen and clothing must be changed after the start of medication so that after healing by the medication no reinfection occurs via the worm eggs deposited in the laundry. Furthermore, the fingernails should be kept short so that no eggs can collect under them. If a worm disease requiring treatment has already occurred, drugs called antihelminthics can be used to kill the worms.

The active ingredients used are praziquantel, albendazole and mebendazole. The drugs must not be used during pregnancy. Often a single dose is sufficient, but some types of worms require long-term therapy.

In any case, the success of the therapy should be checked, as a reinfection should be excluded. The drugs used in worm infestation are called antihelminthics and kill the worms, which are then excreted in the stool. Important representatives of this class of drugs are praziquantel, albendazole and mebendazole.

In some cases a single administration of the drug is sufficient. In the case of a more serious infection, e.g. in the context of alveolar echinococcosis, lifelong therapy may be necessary. Possible side effects often affect the gastrointestinal tract in the form of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Long-term use may result in a reduction in the number of white blood cells and increased liver values. In addition to the drug therapy controlled by the doctor, some home remedies are also attributed with positive effects on combating worm infestation. Herbs like thyme, oregano or gentian are said to help fight the worms.

A tea can be made from thyme, which should be drunk every day for three weeks after each 10 min infusion. Gentian is also taken in the form of a tea, but it should be steeped for up to 8 hours. Oregano is best taken in capsule form.

It should be noted that the medicinal herbs should not be used in children. Garlic is also said to have a positive effect. It is recommended to take garlic milk daily on an empty stomach for a total of three weeks.

For the garlic milk, three cloves of garlic are crushed and stirred into a cup of milk. Similarly, you can drink a glass of white cabbage juice in the morning, which, unlike garlic milk, does not need to be produced by the person himself and can be purchased. Regular consumption of carrots, the juice of boiled carrots or papaya (kernels) before each meal is also said to have a beneficial effect.

The use of grapefruit seed juice is only recommended to a limited extent, as it should not be taken by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Black cumin oil can be given to children and is also available in capsules. Furthermore, it is recommended to enjoy a diet low in carbohydrates, and therefore low in sugar.