Unfortunately, these worms could be a number of different things, some of which aren’t even worms at all. Below we have listed a few possibilities:

To help describe the worms, the reader actually pointed to a previous article on All About Worms that describes small worms you might find in your bathroom, so let’s list these first, just in case these are in fact the creatures that our reader found. The first is the larvae of moth flies, which are often found around drains, including shower drains. Although often found in the area described by the reader, these larvae tend to be very small (less than a forth of an inch in length), and thus considerably smaller than the reader’s worms. Moth fly larvae also tend to be a dark grayish color, not red. The other “worms” covered in this article are carpet beetle larvae. These larvae can be found all over one’s house, including the shower. Again, though, carpet beetle larvae don’t precisely meet the description found in our reader’s question, as these larvae tend to be a brownish color with pale strips along their bodies.

While we’re on the topic of larvae, we should mention the midge fly larvae (often called “blood worms”), 2000 species of which can be found all over North America in aquatic settings. For the most part, people report seeing midge fly larvae in pools, but presumably they could be found in a shower, especially if there is stagnant water accumulated. Midge fly larvae are often red, but they don’t grow to over half an inch in length. So, alas, these larvae also don’t perfectly match the worms (or whatever the case may be) that our reader is confronting. However, given the prevalence of blood worms, they are definitely worth considering.

The reader should consider two additional possibilities: pinworms and horsehair worms. Pinworms afflict humans, causing irritation around the lower intestine and anus area, where they can be observed with the naked eye. During a shower, an infected person might be able to scrub a few of these pinworms off, which would explain why they are in the shower. Like all the other creatures described, though, pinworms are very small, usually under a half of an inch (they also tend to be white), but they are very thin. Horsehair worms, which infect certain types of insects and are found in water, are also extremely thin. However, these worms don’t match the reader’s description for the opposite reason that all the others don’t: they are often considerably longer than two inches; in fact, they can grow to be as long as a foot. Horsehair worms come in several different colors, ranging from an off-white to black.

Regrettably, all of the worms described above are imperfect matches to our reader’s question. On the other hand, all of the worms (and larvae) listed above seem to be the prime candidates, so we would encourage our reader to closely research each to see if one of them actually matches up with the worms that he is observing.

First, pinworms are very small. They are usually under a half an inch in length, and they are extremely thin. They basically look like short pieces of fine thread, or, if their body was rigid, we suppose they would probably look a lot like pins. Obviously, their name and appearance are not coincidental. Because they are so thin, they resemble horsehair worms, although they are much smaller, and they would seem to be proportionally shorter than horsehair worms as well (because horsehair worms can be very long despite their extremely thin body).

Even though they are small, pinworms can be seen by the naked eye, which is fortunate from the standpoint of diagnosing the problem. What is less fortunate is where you might observe pinworms: they are found in the lower area of the large intestine, right inside or possibly around the anus, where the females lay their eggs at night (this is what leads to increased irritation at night), as well as in the stool of afflicted people. They are a yellow-white color, which also makes them easier to see.

If you suspect that you or your child has pinworms, address the problem with haste. They are highly contagious, but eminently curable, so talk to your doctor if you think pinworms are afflicting you and/or your family.

As for earthworms, besides being grossed out, accidentally swallowing a worm won’t harm you. In fact, some worms are actually beneficial to the body, although they are not necessary for survival. Worms are packed with protein, they are a source of nourishment and food for many animals, and they may provide a fair amount of entertainment as documented in the popular book How to Eat Fried Worms.

Other types of beneficial worms are being used in experimental research to treat intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is an intestinal disease that causes severe cramps and sudden attacks of diarrhea. It is not curable, but doctors are trying to find ways to manage the disease and give patients relief from its symptoms. Worms are proving to alleviate the symptoms of this disease and give relief to those who suffer from it.

One mother from Iowa (Anna Glanz) visits her doctor every three weeks to drink worm eggs. The worms then grow inside her gut and then pass out of her system after a few weeks. The result of this treatment has been a complete remission from the disease. She no longer has any of the symptoms she previously suffered from. While the idea of deliberately eating worms (or in this case worm eggs) may make some nauseous, those who participate in research trials are finding that it is far better than suffering from the condition itself.

Other researchers continue to investigate the advantages of worms in the human body. Some believe that the human immune system is now out of balance since worms have been eradicated from the body. Gut worms in particular were part of the human system until about 50 years ago. A unique coincidence of this fact is that until about 50 years ago, allergies were virtually non-existent.

One UK scientist developed a case of hookworms when on a field trip. He studies himself as well as the worms living inside him because he has had nearly a complete remission of his hay fever symptoms since the hookworms entered his body.

These ideas are not entirely new. In many underdeveloped countries, natives still function with worms in their bodies. And, in some countries, such as China and Mexico, that eat worms as part of the daily diet. Worms can be nutritious, good for your health, and they do have a lot of protein.

Most worms that dwell in soil and gardens are fairly safe to eat. However, there are also many insects that appear to be worms in the early stages of life, but they are not worms at all. Butterflies, moths, and flies are commonly mistaken for worms in their larval stages. And while maggots (baby flies) are not likely to hurt anyone, they are seldom among the animals (worms or otherwise) that anyone wants to eat, even on a dare.

Source
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3287733.stm

Another type of worm that could possibly end up on the skin, although it cannot survive there, is the pinworm. Pinworm is easy to contract through infected food and water. Pinworms can be easily passed from an infected person to a non-infected person through bathroom stalls and dirty hands.

Pinworm is the most common type of parasite infection in the United States and Europe today. While pinworm is most often found in kids, it can occur in adults as well. Humans become infected with pinworm after drinking water or eating food contaminated with pinworm eggs. Pinworm eggs are ovoid on one side and approximately .55 mm x .25 mm in size. The eggs can last for twenty days in most moist environments, even sewage.

The pinworm belongs to the family Oxyuridae, order Oxyuroidea, and the phylum Nematoda. Pinworms are classified as Enterobius vermicularis. Threadworms are also classified as Enterobius vermicularis. Pin worms are also called “seatworms” and they have several spellings including “pin worm,” and “pin worms.”

The adult pinworm, is small, white, and has a threadlike appearance. It develops in the body’s large intestine and lays its eggs in the anal region. The female pin worm can lay up to 15,000 eggs. While some people will not experience any symptoms of pinworms, others will experience mild to moderate symptoms. The most common symptom of pinworms is itching around the anus. The itching worsens at night when the female pinworm lays her eggs on the infected person. If the itching is too much to bear, the infected person may scratch. If the person does not wash his hands, it is possible that he can touch or scratch another area of the skin, leaving pinworms behind. Again, the pinworm won’t survive on bare, dry skin for long. It needs a dark, moist (not wet) environment to survive.

Pinworms rarely cause symptoms in other areas such as the vagina or urinary tract as these areas are constantly being flushed/cleansed with urine. If the pinworm does somehow make its way into the vagina or urinary tract, which is extremely rare, any irritation will go away on its own along with the pinworm. The pinworm just can’t survive in these areas. Because pinworms are easy spot, they are easy to detect. They are most active at night, so this is the best time to look for them. Pinworms can also be seen on the outside of the infected person’s stool.

There are several pinworm treatments on the market today. According to MedicineHealth: “Albendazole (Albenza) is the most common treatment for pin worms. Treatment is a single tablet, which kills the worms. There are different strengths for adults and children younger than 2 years. To lessen the chance of reinfection, the infected person will have to take a second dose two weeks after treatment. Pinworm eggs can survive for a few weeks. Other treatments such as Mebendazole (Vermox) and pyrantel pamoate (Pin-Rid, Pin-X) also work. They are also taken in a single dose and repeated 2 weeks later.”

There are several things that must be done after treatment (and beyond) to prevent reinfection. The treated individual should:

Avoid biting the fingernails

• Clean and vacuum play areas and continue this practice indefinitely
• Get into the habit of thoroughly washing the hands after using the bathroom, before and after eating, and before preparing food
• Launder all bedding every 3-7 days for 3 weeks
• Make sure the child or infected person changes his/her underwear daily
• Thoroughly wash all bedding, clothing, pajamas, and toys with hot water and soap to destroy any lingering eggs
• Wash underwear and pajamas daily for 2 weeks

If you or your child has been treated for pinworms and you (and your child) have carefully followed all of the steps listed above and your symptoms return, do not get discouraged. It is common for individuals, especially children, to become reinfected several months or so after being treated for pinworms. If this happens, call your doctor to get started on another round of treatment immediately.

The pinworm belongs to the family Oxyuridae, order Oxyuroidea, and the phylum Nematoda. The pinworm is classified as Enterobius vermicularis. While pinworm is most commonly found in school-aged children, it can occur in adults as well. Humans may become infected with pinworm after drinking water or eating food contaminated with pinworm eggs. Pinworm eggs are ovoid on one side and approximately .55 mm x .25 mm in size. The eggs can last for twenty days in most moist environments — even in sewage.

The adult pinworm, which is small, white and threadlike, develops in the body’s large intestine and lays its eggs in the anal region. The female pinworm can lay up to 15,000 eggs at a time.

In some cases, individuals that become infected with pinworms will not experience any symptoms while others will experience mild to moderate symptoms. The most common pinworm symptom is itching around the anus. The itching becomes more intense at night when the female pinworm lays her eggs on the skin of infected person. Pinworms rarely cause symptoms in other areas such as the vagina or urinary tract. If they do, which is extremely rare, any irritation will go away on it’s own along with the pinworms. Pinworms just cannot survive in these areas of the human body.

Pinworms are easy to detect by sight. They are most active at night, so this is the best time to look for them. Pinworms can also be seen on the outside of the infected person’s stool. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for pinworms. According to MedicineHealth:

“Albendazole (Albenza) is the most common treatment for pinworms. Treatment is a single tablet, which kills the worms. There are different strengths for adults and children younger than 2 years. To lessen the chance of reinfection, the infected person will have to take a second dose two weeks after treatment. Pinworm eggs can survive for a few weeks. Other treatments such as Mebendazole (Vermox) and pyrantel pamoate (Pin-Rid, Pin-X) also work. They are also taken in a single dose and repeated 2 weeks later.”

There are several things that must be done after treatment (and beyond) to prevent reinfection. The treated individual should:

• Avoid biting the fingernails.
• Clean and vacuum play areas. Continue this practice indefinitely.
• Get into the habit of thoroughly washing the hands after using the bathroom, before and after eating, and before preparing food.
• Launder all bedding every 3-7 days for 3 weeks.
• Make sure the child or infected person changes his/her underwear daily.
• Thoroughly wash all bedding, clothing, pajamas, and toys with hot water and soap to destroy any lingering eggs.
• Wash underwear and pajamas daily for 2 weeks.

If you have been treated for pinworms and you have carefully followed all of the steps listed above and you still become reinfected, do not get discouraged. It is common to become reinfected several months or so after treatment. Simply call your doctor to get started on another round of treatment.

Bloodworms are the larvae of the midge family Chironomidae and they can grow up to 6 mm/0.2 inches in length. Because their blood plasma contains haemoglobin, most bloodworms are red in color. While the most recognizable physical characteristic of the bloodworm is its red color, not all bloodworms are red. Some are green and others may have blue bands. Green bloodworms get their color from their environment. Also spelled “hemoglobin,” haemoglobin increases its ability to take up oxygen. The bloodworm (larvae) commonly burrows in the oxygen-poor mud bottom of pools and rivers, so haemoglobin is of great value to the larvae.

Bloodworms have a distinct head and segmentation is pronounced on the abdomen. Prolegs or “leg like” projections can be found on the first thoracic and last abdominal segments of the bloodworm. The gills are on the last abdominal segment of the bloodworm. Gills can also be found on the segment preceding the last segment. Bloodworms typically frequent surface waters.

Although bloodworms frequent surface waters, they thrive in the horses’ body. Bloodworms may enter the horses body through ingested food or water. They travel by way of the blood vessels to the aorta. The aorta feeds the intestinal tract. The bloodworm matures in the horses’ intestinal tract and then it makes its way into the intestines to lay eggs. Bloodworms can cause inflammation, aneurysms, and colic. Other symptoms of bloodworms in horses include:

• Tail rubbing
• Stomach ulcers
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• Cough/nasal discharge
• Anemia
• Poor appetite
• Rough coat
• Recurrent colic
• Pneumonia

Because bloodworms are nearly impossible to eliminate in pastures and surface water, according to American Horse Rider Magazine, the best way to protect your horses from bloodworms is by creating “a good prevention program.” American Horse Rider suggests “putting your animal on a proper treatment schedule that runs every 30 to 45 days once the foal reaches one or two months of age.” In addition, you should visit your vet on a semi-annual basis to conduct a fecal egg count. By doing this, you will have the information needed to adjust your de-worming program if it is not effective. AHR also suggests rotating “different animals into your pasture to break the parasites’ lifecycle.” This way, you will have a good chance of “staying ahead of the game.”

Although complete elimination of bloodworms in pastures and surface waters is nearly impossible, it is possible to control bloodworm populations. You can help control populations by not spreading manure in pastures. If you must use manure, break up manure clumps during the dry, summer months. Bloodworms cannot survive dryness and heat. You can also remove manure from the pasture at least once a week.

For more information about bloodworms in horses or other animals, please visit American Horse Rider Magazine at www.horses-and-horse-information or Agri-med.com.

Abdominal discomfort
Anemia
Bloody stools
Chills
Constipation
Coughing
Diarrhea
Eye pain
Fatigue
Fever
Gas
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Mental dullness
Nausea
Nervousness
Protein deficiency
Rashes
Stomach bloating
Vomiting
Weakness

Some of the most dangerous symptoms of worms such as anemia, protein deficiency, and vomiting can cause health problems such as muscle loss, weight loss, osteoporosis, malnutrition, mental illness, and heart disease. Anemia can cause blood loss, shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, severe sensitivity to cold, and weight loss. Frequent vomiting can cause weight loss, nutrient deficiency, hair loss, tooth erosion, spasms, dizziness, and esophageal erosion and ulcers.

To detect worms, your physician will collect a feces sample and examine it for parasites and/or eggs. Your physician will recommend several treatment options depending on the type of worm. The treatment options may include oral antibiotics or topical treatments. Herbal and home remedies are as follows:

Colon cleansers and/or colonics
Black walnut leaves
Wormwood
Quassia
Cloves
Male fern
Capsicum,
Sage
Cramp bark,
Pumpkin seed
Capsicum
Thyme
Garlic
Black walnut
Pine needles
Sassafras

Most herbal or home remedies should be taken orally for a minimum of two weeks. Some individuals may complain of re-infection. To help avoid this, it is very important to change your eating habits immediately. Certain foods, spices, and beverages might help to ward off parasite infections as well or they may keep you from becoming infected through food or water sources. These include:

Cranberry juice
High-fiber foods
Pumpkin seeds
Garlic
Pomegranates
Apple cider vinegar
Figs
Bottled or distilled water
Thoroughly cooked meats and seafood
Organic fruits and vegetables, washed thoroughly

About Parasitic Worms

The different types of worms include Cestoda, Nematoda, Protozoa, or Trematoda. Common types of worms from each category include tapeworms, (Cestodes); hookworms, pinworms, and roundworms (Nematodes); giardia (Protozoa); and flat worms, (Trematoda). According to the World Health Organization, although the more than 2 billion people around the world are infected with one or more of the existing 3,200 parasitic worms, the most common type of parasitic worms in humans is the roundworm.

It is estimated that one in every four humans is infected with roundworms. Humans may become infected with roundworms or other types of worms by ingesting them through contaminated water or uncooked foods. Humans may also become infected by interacting with pets or even by shaking hands with an infected person.

Intestinal Worm Prevention

Avoid the following foods and activities:

Undercooked meats
Chestnuts
Sugar
Watercress
Refined carbohydrates
Swimming in lakes, rivers, an streams
Using the microwave to cook meats

You should always wash your hands thoroughly after a visit to the restroom whether it is in your home or in a public place. In addition, wash kitchen utensils and countertops with hot soapy water after each use and wear gloves when changing your cats litter box or cleaning up after your pets.

For more information about parasitic worms, visit the official World Health Organization website at www.who.int.

Abdominal discomfort
Anemia
Bloody stools
Chills
Constipation
Coughing
Diarrhea
Eye pain
Fatigue
Fever
Gas
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Mental dullness
Nausea
Nervousness
Protein deficiency
Rashes
Stomach bloating
Vomiting
Weakness

Some of the most dangerous symptoms such as anemia, protein deficiency, and vomiting can cause major health problems such as muscle loss, weight loss, osteoporosis, malnutrition, mental illness, and even heart disease. Anemia can cause blood loss, shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, severe sensitivity to cold, and weight loss. Frequent vomiting can cause weight loss, nutrient deficiency, hair loss, tooth erosion, spasms, dizziness, and esophageal erosion and ulcers.

The different types of worm categories are Cestoda, Nematoda, Protozoa, or Trematoda. Common types of worms from each category include tapeworms, (Cestodes); hookworms, pinworms, and roundworms (Nematodes); giardia (Protozoa); and flat worms, (Trematoda). According to the World Health Organization, although the more than 2 billion people around the world are infected with one or more of the existing 3,200 parasitic worms, the most common type of parasitic worms in humans is the roundworm.

It is estimated that one in every four humans is infected with roundworms. Humans may contract roundworms or other types of worms by ingesting them through contaminated water or uncooked foods. Humans may also contract worms from pets or even from shaking hands with an infected person.

To detect worms, a physician will collect a feces sample and examine it for parasites and/or eggs. Fortunately, most parasites can be eliminated through a round of antibiotics or by using several natural remedies. Parasites can be eliminated from the body with colon cleansers and/or colonics, several rounds of antibiotics or medications as prescribed by a physician, or by utilizing a number of different herbal or natural remedies. It’s best to meet with an herbalist to discuss the best remedied for intestinal worms. Your herbalist may suggest one or more of the following:

Black walnut leaves, wormwood, quassia, cloves, male fern
Capsicum, wormwood, sage
Cramp bark, pumpkin seed, capsicum, thyme, garlic
Black walnut, pine needles, sassafras

Most herbal remedies should be taken orally for a minimum of two weeks. Some individuals may complain of re-infection. It is very important to change your eating habits immediately if you suspect a parasite or worm infection. It’s best not to go back to your regular eating habits in order to prevent re-infection. Certain foods, spices, and beverages might help to ward off parasite infections or they will keep you from becoming infected through food or water sources. These include:

Cranberry juice
High-fiber foods
Pumpkin seeds
Garlic
Pomegranates
Apple cider vinegar
Figs
Bottled or distilled water
Thoroughly cooked meats and seafood
Organic fruits and vegetables, washed thoroughly

Preventing Intestinal Worms in the Human Body

Avoid the following foods and activities:

Undercooked meats
Chestnuts
Sugar
Watercress
Refined carbohydrates
Swimming in lakes, rivers, an streams
Using the microwave to cook meats

You should always wash your hands thoroughly after a visit to the restroom whether it is in your home or in a public place. In addition, wash kitchen utensils and countertops with hot soapy water after each use and wear gloves when changing your cats litter box or cleaning up after your pets.

For more information about parasitic worms, visit the official World Health Organization website at www.who.int.

When testing for worms, your doctor may ask a series of questions to determine if you are experiencing symptoms related to a parasite infection. These may include diarrhea, fever, coughing, vomiting, mucous in stools, abdominal cramps and gas, loose, foul-smelling stools, loss of appetite, and listlessness. Many individuals infected with parasites also feel “sick” overall, but not sick enough to interfere with normal daily activities.

Your doctor will also determine if you have certain conditions that are common in individuals infected with worms. He might test for allergies, digestion problems, infections such as yeast/candida infection, bacterial dysbiosis (bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine), and metabolic problems that may cause weight loss (underweight).

The different types of worms your physician may be testing for include:

-Cryptosporidium Infection
-Giardiasis Infection
-Entamoeba Infection
-Pinworm Infection
-Roundworm Infection
-Trichinosis
-Tapeworm Infection
-Whipworm Infection

Parasitic worms belong to four groups including Cestoda, Nematoda, Protozoa, or Trematoda. Tapeworms are Cestodes, while hookworms, pinworms, and roundworms are Nematodes. Giardia are Protozoa and flat worms are Trematoda.

Of these five common parasitic worms, the most common type of parasitic worms in humans is the roundworm. It is estimated that one in every four humans is infected with roundworms. Although this may sound alarming, there’s no need to panic. Parasitic worms such as roundworm rarely cause serious complications in Europe and North America.

Humans may contract worms by ingesting them through contaminated water or uncooked foods. Humans may also contract worms from pets and even from shaking hands with an infected person.

After being tested and diagnosed with worms, your physician will prescribe antibiotics based on the type of worm and severity of the condition. In addition to antibiotics, parasites can be eliminated from the body through the use of colon cleansers and/or colonics and/or by utilizing a number of different herbal or natural remedies.

It’s best to consult an herbalist for the very best herbal remedies to get rid of a parasite infection. In the meantime, there are several popular (and effective) remedies consisting of the following combinations of herbs and ingredients:

Black walnut leaves, wormwood, quassia, cloves, male fern
Capsicum, wormwood, sage
Cramp bark, pumpkin seed, capsicum, thyme, garlic
Black walnut, pine needles, sassafras

In general, herbal remedies should be taken orally for a minimum of two weeks. Some individuals may complain of re-infection. It is very important to change your eating habits immediately if you suspect a parasite or worm infection. It’s best not to go back to your regular eating habits in order to prevent re-infection. Certain foods, spices, and beverages might help to ward off parasite infections or they will keep you from becoming infected through food or water sources. These include:

Cranberry juice
High-fiber foods
Pumpkin seeds
Garlic
Pomegranates
Apple cider vinegar
Figs
Bottled or distilled water
Thoroughly cooked meats and seafood
Organic fruits and vegetables, washed thoroughly

Avoid the following foods and activities if at all possible:

Undercooked meats
Chestnuts
Sugar
Watercress
Refined carbohydrates
Swimming in lakes, rivers, an streams
Using the microwave to cook meats

Finally, never underestimate the power of clean hands! You should always wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom whether it is in your home or in a public place. In addition, wash kitchen utensils and countertops with hot soapy water after each use and wear gloves when changing your cats litter box or cleaning up after your pets.

For more information about parasitic worms, visit the official World Health Organization website at www.who.int.

If left untreated, worms in the human body can cause everything from anemia to rashes to weakness. Symptoms of worms include:

Abdominal discomfort
Chills
Constipation
Coughing
Diarrhea
Eye pain
Fatigue
Fever
Gas
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Mental dullness
Nausea
Nervousness
Protein deficiency
Stomach bloating
Vomiting

The symptoms you will experience depend on the type of worm. There are more than 3,200 types of parasites in existence today and at any given time the human body may be infected with dozens of them. The most common parasite in humans is the worm. Parasites are either Cestoda, Nematoda, Protozoa, or Trematoda. Some parasitic worms are microscopic while others are easy to identify by sight.

Just a few of the different types of worms that infect humans include: tapeworms, (Cestodes); hookworms, pinworms, and roundworms (Nematodes); giardia (Protozoa); and flat worms, (Trematoda). The most common type of human intestinal worm is the roundworm. It is estimated that one in every four humans is infected with roundworms. It is important to keep in mind, however, that parasites rarely cause any serious (or fatal) complications in Europe and North America.

Symptoms of worms are also common symptoms for many other diseases and conditions, so its best to consult a physician for an accurate diagnosis. A physician will test for parasites by taking a feces sample and examining it for parasites and/or eggs. Fortunately, the vast majority of parasites can be eliminated by using identical methods for each type of infection or by using antibiotics that target several different types of parasitic worms. First, parasites can be eliminated from the body through the use of colon cleansers and/or colonics, several rounds of antibiotics or medications as prescribed by a physician, and/or by utilizing a number of different herbal or natural remedies.

Before using any herbal remedy, please discuss your options with a professional herbalist for the very best (and safest) remedies. Some of the most popular herbal remedies for worms include:

Black walnut leaves, wormwood, quassia, cloves, male fern
Capsicum, wormwood, sage
Cramp bark, pumpkin seed, capsicum, thyme, garlic
Black walnut, pine needles, sassafras

In general, herbal remedies should be taken orally for a minimum of two weeks. Some individuals may complain of re-infection. It is very important to change your eating habits immediately if you suspect a parasite or worm infection. It’s best not to go back to your regular eating habits in order to prevent re-infection. Certain foods, spices, and beverages might help to ward off parasite infections or they will keep you from becoming infected through food or water sources. These include:

Cranberry juice
High-fiber foods
Pumpkin seeds
Garlic
Pomegranates
Apple cider vinegar
Figs
Bottled or distilled water
Thoroughly cooked meats and seafood
Organic fruits and vegetables, washed thoroughly

Avoid the following foods and activities if at all possible:

Undercooked meats
Chestnuts
Sugar
Watercress
Refined carbohydrates
Swimming in lakes, rivers, an streams
Using the microwave to cook meats

Never underestimate the power of clean hands. You should always wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom whether it is in your home or a public facility. You should always wash kitchen utensils and countertops with hot soapy water after each use and wear gloves when changing your cats litter box or cleaning up after your pets.