5 Minutes
Not just “worms”
When most people speak about worms, they are usually referring to intestinal worms like roundworm, pinworm (threadworm), and tapeworm. These are common culprits, especially in children, but worms are only one form of parasite. A parasite is any organism that lives in or on a human (or animal) host, feeding off their nutrition and disrupting health in the process.
Other parasites can include single-celled protozoa like Giardia and Entamoeba (which cause tummy upsets and diarrhoea), as well as microscopic organisms like Cryptosporidium. Some parasites live inside the body, targeting the intestines, blood, or organs. Other parasites, like scabies and certain mites, inhabit the skin.
How do parasites enter the body?
Parasites like intestinal worms are remarkably good at spreading and establishing themselves within the human body. Infection most often occurs through a range of everyday exposures in the home, school, or outdoor environment. Eggs and larvae of many parasites are especially resilient and can be found on a variety of surfaces and materials.
Worm eggs are commonly present in contaminated soil, unwashed fruits and vegetables, undercooked meat, impure water, household utensils, and on surfaces that come into regular human contact, like toilet seats and door handles. Contact with animal faeces, pet fur, and even dust can also be a source of exposure. In communities where sanitation is limited, the risk is much higher.
Transmission occurs in one of three ways:
- Ingestion: The most common route, particularly in children, is through unintended ingestion of worm eggs on contaminated hands, food, or water. Hands are easily contaminated after contact with infected soil, surfaces, or pet fur.
- Direct skin penetration: Some parasites, such as hookworm larvae, can penetrate intact skin, often through bare feet in contaminated soil.
- Inhalation: Less frequently, tiny eggs present in dust or air may be inhaled, later swallowed
Why should we worry about parasites?
Parasite infestations can result in a range of unpleasant symptoms. The symptoms of parasites can include tummy aches, weight loss, disturbed sleep, itchy bottoms (especially at night with pinworm), and, in some cases, anaemia or nutritional deficiencies as worms compete for the vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Heavy infestations can lead to more severe problems, like intestinal blockages. Chronic worm infections have been linked to stunted growth, slowed intellectual development, attention deficit and learning disabilities in children.
Parasites can contribute to inflammation and disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome. Your gut is home to a community of friendly bacteria that plays a vital role in digestion, immunity, and even mental health. When your gut bacterial balance is disturbed, a condition known as dysbiosis can develop, leaving the door open to long-term issues with digestion, allergies, and lowered resistance to infection.
Some protozoan parasites, like Giardia, may cause ongoing digestive problems, fatigue, and malabsorption, even after the initial infection appears to have resolved.
Who is at risk, and why?
Young children are especially vulnerable to intestinal worms and other parasites, as they are naturally curious and explore their world with their hands and mouths. If you have pets, you are at risk. Your pets can carry parasites that infect humans too. If you love gardening, enjoy the outdoors, or travel often, you are also more likely to be exposed to parasites.
Poor hygiene, contaminated water, undercooked meat, and not washing your hands after using the toilet or before meals raise the risk further. Once a parasite is introduced into a family, it can quickly pass from person to person, especially in environments like schools, creches, or where siblings share bedrooms.
Dysbiosis creates a more hospitable environment for parasites to flourish. When beneficial bacteria are depleted (for example, by antibiotics, excessive sugar intake, or poor diet), the body’s natural checks and balances are disrupted, allowing “unfriendly” organisms to multiply more easily.
Ways to deworm
Responsible deworming is a non-negotiable part of family health care. Medicines like mebendazole are widely used and effective at treating the most common intestinal worms. For many families, these treatments provide a rapid and trusted solution, especially where symptoms are obvious or infection is confirmed by a health professional.
Various herbal remedies have been used for centuries to complement or support medical deworming.
- Wormwood has been used since Ancient Egyptian times for its antiparasitic properties and ability to create a digestive environment less favourable to worms.
- Black walnut and cloves are often paired with wormwood in traditional herbal protocols, helping to address both mature worms and their eggs.
- Botanicals like thyme, ginger, and garlic provide additional antimicrobial and gut-supportive benefits.
A natural deworming regimen typically extends over several weeks and should be planned with guidance from a trained herbal professional to ensure both safety and efficacy.
Keeping up excellent hygiene is the cornerstone of prevention. Regular handwashing, washing fruits and vegetables, keeping fingernails short and clean, and practising good pet hygiene all reduce the risk of infection and reinfection.
How often do you need to deworm?
How often you deworm depends on personal risk and the advice of your health practitioner. In areas where parasitic infections are common, or in households with children and pets, you need to deworm every six months.
Protecting your family
Parasites are a part of life, especially for people who embrace an active, outdoor lifestyle. Staying informed, choosing the best of natural and modern methods and attending to hygiene and gut health, enables you to protect your loved ones. With the right knowledge and support, you can take proactive steps towards a thriving, parasite-free family.
References and additional reading:
- Medical News Today (2024) ‘Intestinal worms: Types, causes, symptoms, and treatment’. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324042
- National Health Service (NHS) (2025) ‘Worms in humans’. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/worms-in-humans/
- Clicks (n.d.) ‘Why you need to deworm your family’. Available at: https://clicks.co.za/health/article-view/why-you-need-to-deworm-your-family
- World Health Organization (2005) Deworming. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/69005/WHO_CDS_CPE_PVC_2005.14.pdf
- Healthline (2017) ‘Intestinal Worms: Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Recovery, and More’. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/intestinal-worms
- Medical News Today (2022) ‘Types of human parasite: Worms, infections, and causes’. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/human-parasites
- NHS (2022) ‘About mebendazole’. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/mebendazole/about-mebendazole/
- MedicineNet (2022) ‘How Often Should You Deworm?’. Available at: https://www.medicinenet.com/how_often_should_you_deworm/article.htm