Roundworms
These are some of the most common—and most shocking—parasites out there. A single roundworm can lay up to 200,000 eggs a day and grow as long as 15 feet. It’s estimated that over 1 billion people are infected globally. Symptoms often include abdominal discomfort, asthma, insomnia, weight loss, rashes, and even more serious conditions like appendicitis or peritonitis, all triggered by their secretions or waste.
In large numbers, roundworms can block the intestinal tract, damage the intestinal wall, cause liver abscesses, pancreatitis, poor nutrient absorption, and loss of appetite.
Hookworms
Affecting more than 700 million people, hookworms start by penetrating the skin—often through bare feet. Once inside, they make their way to the intestines where they latch on and feed on your blood, slowly draining your strength and energy.
Symptoms include iron deficiency, abdominal pain, protein loss, poor appetite, dry skin and hair, mental fog, and in severe cases, heart complications. Young hookworms use tiny teeth to dig into the intestinal wall, making recovery even harder.
Pinworms
Commonly seen in children, pinworms affect about 1 in 5 kids. Female worms lay up to 15,000 eggs daily around the anus, often causing itchiness, digestive issues, insomnia, and irritability.
The tiny white worms grow up to half an inch and are highly contagious—their eggs can live for up to two days on surfaces around your home. Many infected people show no symptoms, making them easy to spread unnoticed.
Whipworms
These parasites infect hundreds of millions globally. Symptoms include bloody stools, nausea, weight loss, anemia, and in more severe cases, rectal prolapse.
Whipworms can damage the intestinal lining and open the door for secondary bacterial infections. They typically grow to 1–2 inches long.
Tapeworms
Known for their shocking size, tapeworms can grow up to 35 feet long and live for a decade inside the intestines. Some species can lay up to one million eggs daily.
Their segmented bodies are equipped with hooks and suction cups that help them cling to your intestinal walls, absorbing nutrients and causing digestive problems, weight loss, and weakness.
Flatworms (Flukes)
These tiny but dangerous parasites infect more than 250 million people worldwide. Flukes can take up residence in the liver, lungs, bladder, kidneys, and intestines.
They’re linked to serious conditions affecting major organs, and some species can even destroy red blood cells. Though usually smaller—around 1 to 2.5 cm long—their impact on the body can be severe.