Tapeworm segments in human stool look like tiny grains of white rice that may be moving.
Tapeworm may be seen in the toilet bowl or passing through the anus.
Most people with tapeworm infections have mild symptoms or none at all.
© Verywell, 2018
There are no at-home tests for tapeworms.
Tapeworm infection is easily treated with praziquantel, a drug that paralyzes the tapeworm and forces it from theintestines.
Attempting to deworm yourself at home with natural remedies is not recommended.
Why Are There Small Worms in My Poop?
Small worms in your poop likely indicate an intestinalparasitic infection.
Tapeworms are not present in every human body, and tapeworm infections are rare in the United States.
Tapeworm infections occur when a person ingests food, water, or soil contaminated with tapeworm larvae or eggs.
What Does Tapeworm Look Like in Poop?
An adult tapeworm has up to 1,000 segments, calledproglottids.
Each proglottid contains 30,000 to 100,000 eggs.
Usually, only the rice-like proglottids are visible in stool.
It is much less common to see long, intact tapeworms.
What Can Be Mistaken for Tapeworm Segments?
Pinworms are often mistaken for tapeworm segments.
When cysticercosis forms in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis.
Although the condition is rare, it can result in behavior changes and life-threatening complications, such asseizures.
The cysts may need to be removed surgically.
Can Tapeworms Make You Hungry?
Tapeworm infection can make you feel hungry.
However, they are more commonly associated with loss of appetite and weight loss.
Other than this, there are no ways to check yourself for tapeworms.
There are also no at-home tests for tapeworm infection.
Tapeworm infections are easily treated with medication that can be prescribed by a healthcare provider.
See a healthcare provider if you notice these symptoms or other unusualchanges in bowel habits.
What Kills Tapeworms in Humans?
The most effective way to kill tapeworms in humans is prescription medication.
Altogether, attempting to deworm yourself at home is not recommended.
Do Worms in Poop Go Away on Their Own?
Tapeworms do not typically go away on their own.
Tapeworms can stay in the intestines for years or even decades until they are effectively eliminated.
Without treatment, tapeworm infections will persist and may cause complications.
Summary
The most common sign of a tapeworm infection is seeing a tapeworm in poop.
Tapeworms like look like grains of rice and may be moving.
Tapeworm infections are diagnosed using a stool sample to analyze the jot down of tapeworm.
In some cases, imaging studies may be needed to determine the extent of infection.
If you see tapeworm in your poop, see your healthcare provider.
Some tapeworm species can cause serious, long-term health problems.
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