How to Get Rid of Hookworms When Infected

Hookworms are intestinal parasites. They cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. If left untreated, they can cause anemia and protein deficiency. Children and pregnant women are particularly at risk. Hookworm infections are primarily found in tropical and subtropical-developing countries. It is rare in the United States due to our advanced sanitation and sewage control. According to MedlinePlus, over 1 billion people are infected by hookworms worldwide. The infection can be caught simply by walking barefoot in contaminated soil.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor's prescription

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Instructions

Removing Hookworms

• 1

  Call your doctor if you have been in a contaminated area and have an itchy rash and subsequently a cough. Other symptoms can be gas, nausea, vomiting or bloody sputum. Sometimes there are no symptoms.

• 2

  Get the tests ordered by your doctor. Typically, this will be a complete blood count (CBC) with differential and/or a stool ova and a parasites' examination.

• 3

  Increase the protein in your diet as instructed by your doctor. This will help replace the blood lost because of the hookworm larvae.

• 4

  Purchase the parasite medicine prescribed by your doctor. Typical medications will be albendazole, mebendazole or pyrantel pamoate. Use as directed. According to MedlinePlus, treatment easily eradicates the infestation.

• 5

  Wear shoes when walking outside in areas that could be contaminated to prevent hookworm infections.