Worm Treatment: What to Do If You Suspect an Intestinal Parasite

Think you or your child might have worms? Pinworms are the most common intestinal parasite in kids, but several types can affect adults too. Knowing the signs, how doctors test for them, and which medicines usually work makes dealing with worms faster and less stressful.

Signs, diagnosis, and quick checks

Common signs include itching around the anus (especially at night), stomach pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and sometimes visible worms in stool. For pinworms, the sticky-tape test—pressing clear tape to the skin near the anus in the morning and checking under a microscope—often finds eggs. For other worms, your provider may ask for one or more stool samples, blood tests, or imaging if they suspect a tissue infection (like tapeworms in organs).

Don’t self-diagnose based on one symptom. Talk with your healthcare provider; they’ll pick the right test so treatment targets the specific parasite.

Common treatments and when they’re used

Treatment depends on the worm type. For intestinal roundworms, pinworms, and hookworms, albendazole and mebendazole are commonly prescribed. Ivermectin treats strongyloidiasis and certain other parasites, and praziquantel is the go-to for most tapeworms and fluke infections. For protozoan parasites like Giardia, drugs such as tinidazole or metronidazole are used.

Some drugs require a single dose; others need a short course. Family members or close contacts may be treated at the same time for pinworms to prevent reinfection. Always follow your prescriber's directions and finish the full course unless they tell you otherwise.

Over-the-counter remedies rarely clear intestinal worms completely. Prescription antiparasitics are more reliable and usually safer when chosen for the exact parasite.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, have liver disease, or take multiple medications, mention this to your provider—some antiparasitic drugs aren’t recommended in those situations and safer alternatives or timing adjustments may be needed.

After treatment, repeat testing may be advised to confirm the infection is gone. If symptoms persist or worsen, return to your provider rather than trying another drug on your own.

Prevention is simple and effective: wash hands before eating and after using the toilet, keep fingernails short and clean, wash bedding and clothes in hot water if someone is infected, cook meat and fish thoroughly, and deworm pets regularly. In travel situations, avoid raw or undercooked foods and unclean water in high-risk areas.

Worms are treatable when identified correctly. If you suspect an infection, get tested and follow a targeted treatment plan. Quick action reduces discomfort and cuts the chance of spreading the parasite to others.