Tapeworm (also called cestode) is a type of parasite infecting humans and animals. Tapeworms are also referred to as flatworms and they live in the digestive and intestinal tract of humans and animals. The symptoms of a tapeworm infection in humans can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue or weight loss. In some cases, tapeworm infection (medical name taeniasis) can cause other symptoms such as headaches and itchy red rash. Sometimes, stool from a human affected by these parasitic worms will contain eggs and segments of tapeworm.<\/p>\n
The most common reason for humans getting tapeworms is ingesting contaminated food or water that has tapeworm eggs. In many cases, signs of a tapeworm infection occur months or even years after the tapeworm entered the human body.<\/p>\n
In this article, I will look at what tapeworms are and what symptoms can help you know if you have a tapeworm. You will also find some scientifically-proven home remedies to get rid of tapeworms in humans.<\/p>\n
What is a Tapeworm?
\nTapeworms are a type of parasite that can live in the human\u2019s body and may or may not cause a wide range of symptoms.<\/p>\n
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that there are a number of species of tapeworm known to infect humans. The most common types of tapeworms that can cause parasitic infections in humans are:1, 2<\/p>\n
Taenia saginata \u2013 tapeworms from eating contaminated beef.
\nTaenia solium and taenia asiatica \u2013 tapeworms found in pork.
\nDiphyllobothrium latum \u2013 tapeworms in humans from eating undercooked or raw fish.
\nLifecycle of a tapeworm in humans
\nGetting rid of tapeworm parasites in humans can be a challenge because of their lifecycle. Dr. Richard D. Pearson from the University of Virginia School of Medicine says that the lifecycle of a tapeworm is as follows:3<\/p>\n
Tapeworm larvae or eggs enter the body through contaminated food.
\nThe tapeworm grows in the intestines and attaches itself to the intestinal wall.
\nThe tapeworm grows into a segmented body. Sometimes the segments break off and you can see tapeworm segments in stool.
\nThe tapeworm also produces more eggs that end up in human stool.
\nTapeworm infections in humans can happen when spheres from the parasite enter the bloodstream. This can cause cysts in the liver, brain, or other organs.
\nWhat Does a Tapeworm Look Like?
\nWhen you see a picture of a tapeworm, you will notice that the parasite looks like a long, segmented worm.<\/p>\n
Doctors from the National Health Services say that tapeworms can resemble a measuring tape because they are flat and look like a ribbon. When you have a tapeworm infection, your poop may also show signs of a tapeworm in it. Parts of tapeworm in stool can look like grains of white or yellow rice that wriggle around.4
\nTapeworms can also grow very long. Some tapeworms may be as short as 2 inches (50 mm); however, many tapeworms from infected beef or pork can grow as long as 15 to 30 feet (4 to 8 m). Doctors from the Mayo Clinic report that some tapeworms grow to 80 feet (25 m)!5<\/p>\n
Tapeworm Pictures
\nPictures of tapeworms show that they look like flat, ribbon-like worms that have a head, neck, and segmented body<\/p>\n\n