What are hookworms?
Hookworm is a common, chronic, parasitic infection due to the invasion of the worms Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale in human beings. Human beings are the main vectors of N. americanus and A. duodenale. Indeed, around 20% of the world’s population carries hookworms and suffers a huge volume of daily blood loss. Approximately seven million liters!
What are the symptoms of hookworm infestation?
Generally, the symptoms vary according to the severity of the infestation. Moreover, it is common for people with light infestations to be asymptomatic. Heavy infestations may cause a person to become anemic due to worms feeding on the host’s blood. Other symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, weight loss, constipation, or diarrhea. Most importantly, chronic infestations in children may retard growth and thinking ability and may cause a potbelly appearance. Occasionally coughing and upper respiratory tract infections may occur from the worms moving through the lungs.
Prevalance of hookworms
Hookworm is an endemic in many tropical and subtropical areas, especially in areas where human feces are not disposed off in a sanitary manner. Particularly, ancylostomiasis is the most prevalent hookworm infestation and is second only to ascariasis in infestations by parasitic worms. Necator americanus is most common in the Americas, Central and South Africa, South Asia, Indonesia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Ancylostoma duodenale is the dominant species in the Mediterranean region and North Asia.
What are the different types of hookworms?
- Ancylostoma caninum found predominantly in dogs.
- Ancylostoma tubaeforme found predominantly in cats.
- Uncinaria stenocephala found predominantly in dogs and cats.
- Ancylostoma braziliense found predominantly in dogs and cats.
- Ancylostoma ceylanicum found in the civet cat of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
Even though these are predominantly found in pets, they implicate in human cutaneous larva migrans. A deviation of the larvae from its usual trajectory to locate under the skin is cutaneous larva migrans. See below for details.
How do you get hookworms?
In fact, anybody can get hookworm. However, agricultural workers in endemic areas have a higher risk of infestation. The illness can be more serious in babies, children, pregnant women and people with poor diets. Moreover, people can become infected with hookworm by walking barefoot on soil that contains infective larvae. Other infestation routes include drinking water or eating food contaminated with larvae. Cases of mother to baby transfer of the hookworm Ancylostoma duodenale are also reported. Hookworm larvae are capable of penetrating the skin in a few seconds. Hence even sunbathing on the beaches or bathing, swimming, wading in pools, reservoirs or contaminated waters in the epidemic areas can contract the larvae.
Life cycle of hookworms
- Adult hookworms live in the lumen of the small intestine, where they attach to the intestinal wall with resultant host blood loss.
- Eggs pass in the stool. Under favorable conditions like right soil type, moisture, warmth, shade, the eggs hatch into noninfective larvae, rhabditiform larvae, in one to two days.
- These larvae take seven to ten days to become infective, filariform larvae and then penetrate human skin, usually the foot. Notably, itchy skin or ground itch occurs where the larvae penetrate the skin.
- On entry, the larvae make their way to the lungs by the blood and immune systems. The larvae get coughed up and swallowed into the digestive system. Finally, they attach to the small intestine wall by hooks and develop into adults in six to seven weeks. Adults produce 15,000 to 20,000 eggs a day which exit in the feces.
The worms penetrate the skin and may migrate locally in the skin instead of migrating to the lungs. This condition is cutaneous larva migrans.
Are hookworms contagious?
Specifically, hookworm is not transmitted from person to person. Infected people can contaminate soil for several years if the right conditions are present. Nonetheless, larvae can survive in the dirt for several weeks. However, they do not survive in clay, dry or hard-packed soils, or in temperatures that are freezing or higher than 45 ºC.
Hookworm hibernation period
Symptoms can take weeks or months to develop depending on the severity of infestation, and the amount of iron in an infected person’s diet. Besides, ancylostoma duodenale can stay dormant in the body for eight months.
Prevention and treatment of hookworms
- Dispose of human feces in a sanitary way so that it doesn’t contaminate the soil.
- Wear covered footwear in areas where the disease is endemic.
- Wash hands after going to the toilet and before handling or eating food.
- Use safe drinking water and safe food preparation practices.
- Keep pets out of areas used for sleeping and eating. Avoid close contact with them.
- Deworm if necessary or as directed by your primary physician.
Hookworms synonyms
- Ankylostomiasis or ancylostomiasis.
- Miner’s disease.
- Tunnel disease.
- Intertropical hyphemia.
- Uncinariasis.
- Necatoriasis.
Diagnosis of hookworm infestation
Look out for eggs under the microscopic examination of stool samples. However, no eggs may be present in the early stages of infestation. Other tests like blood examination or endoscopy will confirm hookworm presence.
Medications for treating hookworm infestation
Pyrantel pamoate and mebendazole give good results. Treat anemia with iron supplements.
I think I may have hook worms but I am not sure – I just got pronounced that I am anemic (low iron) and that I have a high eosinophil level (three times the normal) which usually indicates parasites or allergies but I am not allergic to anything —when I go to the bathroom I can see little worms like a centimeter or two long. Help if you have any idea of what it may be.
The reason for anemia could be either poor iron intake or parasitic infection. Since you see worms in stools, it should be parasitic in nature. Taking deworming medicines under physician guidance could help you out.
My dog has been bleeding in her poop and well I was wondering if I could be contaminated with it from my dog.
The gut could have been bled due to some other cause also. Unless you know the real reason, you can’t be sure.
Hi Raj. I found a brown worm in my stool (approx 2.5-3 inches long). I showed a gastroenterologist and he said it was a tapeworm. However, it does not resemble one, as it is not flat, ribbon-like, or segmented. I think it could be a hookworm. Do you know if they grow to be that long in humans?
Nope.
From what you say, it seems to be tapeworm only. You could see its physique clearly and better only under a lens.
Tapeworms are the most dangerous as they get into brain. So act at once. Follow your doctor’s advice.
Thanks! Definitely following doctors orders!
Is the hookworm in humans the same as in Sea Lions?
No idea.
We recently adopted a dog and discovered she has hook worms. She’s being vet treated; however, my concern is my daughter and our environment.
The only suggestion that the vet gave me was to bleach spray the potty area. However, since time passed between her adoption and the time we could get her into the vet, I’m concerned this suggestion is a mute point.
Do you have another suggestion for me to kill larvae in my (large) yard?
A tough job indeed, especially if you have grass and plants, as the larvae can survive for years! Maybe someone experienced like a pest control expert could give you valuable input.
Or want to do it yourself? Table salt, borax, disinfectants, pesticides? Virkon S, Wondercide EcoTreat?
Enlighten us too of your successful accomplishment.
my son is 3.5 years old…he got pain in stomach…we have done a motion test..the result is hookworm…is that hookworm visible to our eyes..
Although hookworms are visible to the naked eye, they are rarely seen in stool.
I have this circular rash on my butt and is seems to be getting bigger. It’s really itchy and when I wash it with water, it burns like hell. My doctor told me that it was contact dermititis and recommend soap and water. But the rash will only dry up and come back worst. I tried Clobetasol Proprinate and it didn’t help. Now, the rash is also on my wrist and seems to be spreading.
You should probably see another doctor. That sounds serious
Clobetasol propionate is used to treat various skin disorders including eczema and psoriasis. So your doctor’s diagnosis/prescription may be in relation to that.
Don’t know if It is a fungal infection. If it is fungal, a fungicide should help. Anyway, your doctor is the best person to help you out. Keep up with the follow-up visits.
I think it was Ringworm..
Ringworm signs and Symptoms are like that only!!
I just got a puppy on Sunday, took her to the vet yesterday and found out she has hook worms. She took her 2nd dose of treatments today. How likely is it that my kids have been infected?
I would also like to know if vacuuming my carpet every day will get rid of any eggs or larvae. She is pretty good about using her puppy pads but has had a couple of accidents.
You are at high risk.
I might have a hook worm can anyone tell me
I felt something in my mouth and when I went to the bathroom it was a worm …. sometimes I have red circle on my belly,hand,chest……what does this mean???
typographical errors corrections
I took a lot of worm expellant when I was young. could It be that the wormS was not completely destroyed and it Came back. I am now in USA.
I used to have stomachache but now it is gone due to many GI medications, prayer and fasting. Recently I begin to lose weght, blood text shows some infection in the intestine.CT scan of abdomen and pelvis is done. Could HOOKWORMS OR Tape worm stays for Long time. without notice.
Thus delerose again . I am gaining g the weght bsck by eating regularly but no diagnosis made. Can someone reply
Thank you
I came back from Caribbean & had itching & burning pain on toe
Red squiggly lines that looked like varicose veins & a small area that looked like a mosquito bite
My doctors didn’t know what it was
A friend had it & went to a infectious disease dr
I got Albenza tablets that helped for subcutaneous migran larva , hookworm !!!!
I needed another dose 2 weeks later .
Before they knew what it was I was put on antibiotics because it got infected
It was so bad I wanted to cut my toe off. Now it’s totally gone
I believe I have hookworm. I have been to 3 hospitals a total of 6 times to Emergency in a month & to my family doctor over a dozen times. Blood tests,blood culture tests, stool tests, sputum test, the entire life cycle specimens I have collected from my body sent in for analyses & xray of jaw due to feeling them throughout my face & an Opstitrition. All tests come back negative. Yet I can see them in the larvae stages going in my body. They drop down into my shoes & my feet are like pin cushions & are red & swollen & my limbs feel like I have mollasses inside. I have pain in my intestines, constant chills & very low energy, holes/cuts that don’t heal where I feel pain everyday, many times a day& many more symptoms. I have taken video’s of them present moving in my ears & another video of the life cycle specimens I collected. I also kept duplicate samples of all life cycle’s of this parasite. I have a video of a live amoeba organism(3rd stage). I went to Doctor with video’s. He refused to see me before & another doctor at his office looked in ear & they still saw nothing. I believe these things are skittish & when another is present they disappear back into holes they create in skin inside ears & nose. They shouldn’t speak to alert them of their presence. Use a magnifying glass & should look from the outside & approach with a light instead of always sticking that contrapsion they use in your ear right away. They may not continuously miss them that way! I’m still not diagnosed. I may have no option than to post video on Youtube & hope someone can help me. & send copies along with my history to the College of physicians & Surgean’s. Only problem is it will possibly detroy a medical practice (the other doctors in this practice don’t deserve that) for I believe I have had them for years & my Doctor has missed it along with all the doctors I’ve seen in the Emergency Departments – In each case, including my Doctor’s, everytime I said that I believed I was infectious they said to wait with other patience. & most doctor’s think I have psychological problems. I have had no history of such -Ever! I have had 2 operations in the last 5 years to remove absessed cysts between my anus & testies. Which is where they are present & it would happen when the parasites die. I have almost every symptom that is said is present if you have them. If anyone can offer help-please reply. All I want is to see a disease specislist but can’t get a doctor to refer me. I’ve been waiting for my doctor but I believe he is only pasifying me hoping it’s a phase or -I just don’t know?Please help!
you must come from the UK, i have same problem if they cant see anything with that ear scope they stop looking and say that i need mental health check and then go through all the questionns related to that. You say yes im not sleeping well and yes i am depressed and no it s not all in my head, there are some in my lungs and intestines. Cant they even comprehend the possibility that from the lungs you cough and the worm is then projected to the soft palet at the back of your mouth it then crawls up into your face. Their text book says that they worm goes from you foot to the heart and then to the lungs to be coughed up and then swallowed into the digestive system where they start to breed. Somehow they cant see that and insist that it is not the case. The best thing that you can do is show the white worm that is in your eye bag it can be seen with naked eye and then they wont be able to say you dont havee them. I havve them under my scalp and eyes jaw neck back. makes you wonder what makes them qualified to be doctors. Anyway meanwhile buy some wormwood, black walnut powder or capules garlic clove oil start takin it as tea or tabs at least that will kill the ones in your digestive system. I dont know about the rest.
I have this too. For many years doctors told me it’s nothing but all in my head. Well actually it is, have them in my scalp face and ears. I’ve read all about cutaneous larva migrans, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and pretty sure it’s the hookworms. Finally last year my new dermatologist gave me Ivermectin pills and cream. It was great but came back about 5 months later. So I’m now hyper cleaning again, washing sheets everyday in bleach, bathing 3 times a day etc. It’s exhausting. Well last night I was changing my sheets and cleaning my new waterproof mattress cover when I noticed very small brown dots coming up, looked with my magnifying glass and saw they were brownish squiggly worms. Even as small as they were I was able to get a photo with my 10x camera. Afterwards it dawned on me that a few months after my Ivermectin treatment last year (about a month before the re-infection) that I had taken the old mattress cover off thinking it was safe. Wasn’t for sure they could get into your bed but wasn’t taking any chances back then. That was a huge mistake. So if someone tells you to only change your sheets every day after discovering an infection go one step further and protect your mattress, better yet, once you get rid of the infection also dump the mattress. Another area, scrub your shower every time before you use, also you toilet seat. And I’m using Boric Acid on my carpets just in case. Better safe than sorry. I’ll tell you something else, these things are sharp and can burrow into almost anything, had one leave a mark on the seat. And you should see what they do to a paper towel.
Hi, I got a cat and found out it had hookworms and we cleaned the house and my room completely but then we found out our dog had them too and I touched them with my fingers by quickly washed my hands, could I have hookworms or I’m I just being paranoid?? Should I see a doctor??
Hookworms usually get in through wet feet. Deworm your pets and family regularly, 15-20 days apart for the first time, and once in 4-6 months there after.
Keep the surroundings clean. Better not allow the pets indoors.
I was pregnant and started having little dots and a deep wat I thought was athletics feet I started getting these big seed chunks of skin falling out I had little seeds every where I sat then a infection came from head to toes sores some as big as golf balls docs kept saying it was normal in a pregnancy I started passing out having seizures and triangular wholes with scabs in middle then I got out of shower one day and these clear worms wers sticking out the docs said I was crazy put me on meds ID bring them in and they wouldn’t believe me I started taking pi. Worm meds from Walgreen’s well I see them in the tub I take 3 salt water baths a day and they die bit anyway can my baby have them he’s colic and screams at around 5 everyday my cats have a parasite but I can’t afford help is my new born OK I have been asking for help about a year no doc knows or have ever seen wat is going on with my skin I’m ruined is he OK anyone help
wormwood black walnut powdeer garlic cloves, sip tea of wormwood and black walnut shell with tea bag helps, sip through the day kill the worms in you digestive tract. If breast feeding better not
help yes ive moved into a new home and a bad habbit of walking round with bare feet,plus ive a dog,my trouble becan with skin itching around chest neck my face worst itch ever ,i had white deberah follng of me then started to feel movment with sever itching i new i had a form of parasite as thet started poking throu skin on kneck back scalpmy skin was very red and hot then on brushing teeth i saw 2 small white like larvea pearce my lip so fast i was horrifid ,i then have had them in my mouth nose and they been on cotton bud in ear ive been to gp 4 times put on antidepresants also ive collect white spiky things in a jar done vidio of 2 like small worm like larvea coming out of lip and few in hands ive a caugh felt un well run down my eyes are twitching ive diahrea stomach ache and wind .ive pulled them out of my mouth like tiny worm but harden when they hit air could this be hook worm ive surched every were .but gp isnt taking me serious ? and i need treatment im over wemed at this
come on, why do all gps and docs ignore this in humans but worm their dogs as a matte of course. It makes me wonder whether these paracites are being used as a means to give people worse problems, arthritis, alergies, mental health issues. it makes no sense otherwise they cant be that ignorant of possibilities. My doctor is currently treating me like im insane and not spending more than a few seconds looking at what ever i say is the prob. They assume their own diagnosis based on one or two words that you say. ie im ver tired and upset and frustrated, =
Deworm periodically.
How and when does a person know if they are totally rid of hookworm infection
We plan to vacation in an area where people have acquired hookworm from the sand on the beach. Is there something we can clean our feet with to kill the larvae and prevent an infection or should we just wear aqua shoes when walking on the beach?
Cover the feet with appropriate footwear and better not to wet the feet, as there are incidents already of hookworm infection at the said place.
I suddenly got what looks like the google image of a hookworm on my inner thigh, when I showered, the skin peeled off like a blister.
Got OTC dewormer from pharmacy. I live in California, no pets, no camping, rarely rarely barefoot.
Does a hookworm cause skin to peel?
It could be; however, only a physical examination could provide a definitive answer to your question.
Better take dewormers at 21 days’ interval for the first time to break a worm’s cycle, and at regular intervals thereafter.
Didn’t know I had hookworms until I used some methamphetamine. They hated it so much they were literally crawling out of my skin to get away. I drank it in some coffee. Then I took a hot shower and that’s when they erupted. Literally jumping out of my skin. I went to urgent care, they gave me hydroxyzine, it’s a sedative!!!! So I bought some Panthel Pomate. They seem to be gone, but I’ve been dosing my self once every two weeks.
So i have my two cats and i just found out they have hookworms bcuz one of my cats went t my bed w dirt from their littler in its paws and when i went t sleep i felt my arm itchy and i touch it and it was a worm small white i think now im infected we do clean the littler every day but i keep it in my room is not a big place and i have a question they gave them some vaccines and some for the worms so idk what is that gonna do for them but im gonna bring them to the vet either way im just very scared like i feel like one worm may be enter to my ear while sleep cuz like i said one of my cats doesnt clean himself good help!!!