
“Is this a tapeworm?” asks Tammy in her submission regarding the clear, whitish worm-like critters pictured below. “I’m sure it must be. But the strange thing is I found it coiled up, I thought it was just some type of elastic on the side table in the bedroom! How would it get there? I freaked out that I touched it, but realized it was strange if elastic. I put it in a baggie with some eye drops to keep it moist. I’m freaking out because I don’t understand where it came from to end up on a table! I have no pets in this room. I thought worms came out in poop! And rarely seen as a whole worm. Please help me with this ASAP. I’d really appreciate.”
To start with, we cannot answer Tammy’s first question. This is because we are not able to identify any organism that negatively affects the health of humans or pets, as such an organism constitutes a medical situation. Only a medical professional is qualified and legally able to identify such organisms, which includes tapeworms (as they are intestinal parasites). If Tammy genuinely thinks these are tapeworms, and/or she starts developing any symptoms as a result of having found this worm, we advise that she consult a medical parasitologist (a physician who specializes in identifying and treating parasitic infections).
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To find a medical parasitologist or other health care provider who can actually help, our reader can do one or more of the following:
– Visit our parasite care resources page here: https://www.allaboutworms.com/get-medical-attention-and-tests-for-parasites
– Search for a medical parasitologist in their area using this directory of medical parasitology consultants: https://www.astmh.org/for-astmh-members/clinical-consultants-directory.
– Search for a local parasitologist by doing a Google search for “medical parasitologist (name of the closest big city)” or “tropical medicine specialist (name of the closest big city)”.
Now, if we assume this is not a worm, then our best possible guess is that these are horsehair worms, though we will admit that we are not confident about this conclusion (especially given that one of the worm-like objects in the photo is lumpy, which horsehair worms are not). Horsehair worms are also parasites, but they do not take humans or any mammals as hosts, only insects. They are only free-roaming once they are fully-matured and have burst forth from an insect. So, it could be that a horsehair worm-infested insect was inside Tammy’s home and the horsehair worm got free. However, they typically only burst free when the insect is near a body of water, so it would be odd for them to come out on a side table, which is mainly why we are not convinced of this identification. If anything, we suggest that Tammy brings the baggie of worms to her local county extension office to have them identified by someone in person: they might have a better chance.
In conclusion, we are not sure what kind of organisms Tammy found on her side table. We are not able to confirm or deny if they are tapeworms – only a medical professional would be able to do that (we specifically recommend consulting a medical parasitologist about it as they are best equipped to answer this question). If this turns out not to be a tapeworm, then we still cannot say for certain what it is, though given their shape, they do look somewhat like horsehair worms. We hope this helps, and we wish Tammy the very best.
All About Worms is always free, always reader-supported, we don't subject you to ads or annoying video pop-ups. But it does cost us money out of our pocket to keep the site going (nearly 20 years so far!) So your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP Publishing.
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Hello! Did either of you get answers? I am dealing with the same and having some pretty bad health problems as it’s been three years but it looks just like that. Please let me know. Thank you in advance!!
Me too. And I think research on the horsehair worm in my opinion. Is incorrect regarding “not using humans as hosts” I have been trying for a yr and a half to get a Dr to diagnose my 2 toddlers most likely myself and my 12 year old also, with a parasitic infection, in every nappy (at least 4 or 5 poos a day EACH) CLEARLY can see helmiths, sometimes eggs, segments of tapeworm and I know this because I have researched the crap out of human parasites and know what they look like( Australian drs should really do the same) but in some of them….horsehair worm! Don’t care what they say, I have seen it with my own eyes many times, the only other possibly which I don’t think is even viable would he the pork tapeworm. Tammy you have seen either one of them. Sometimes they look like cotton on a certain for example these pa
Rasites need to be researched SO MUCH MORE because they are wrong. In mu opinion AUstralu coukd be in an unknown silent pandemic. My kids need help they are 3 and 3 and have neatly every symptom that points to a parasitic infection (even without the very seeable ones in naopies) I’m Off to the Dr again Monday and I won’t be leaving until they do some tests, I will not be sent home and told just do stool samples….what about am ultra sound what about blood tests a mri even if they don’t believe it’s parasites which it is….here’s a thought why don’t they look into why BOTH my babies as said do at least 4-5 absolutely disgusting poos a day with weird things shapes strings hairs etc or why for example my daughter who is now 3 but was 2 at tge time, pood out her worming tablet 2 hours later WHOLE, it’s meant to take (I think I’m sorry if I’m wrong) about 48 hours for food etc to pass through us can’t believe they have nor even wanted to check that out. Or the fact both of there hair sits up like it’s static if that makes sense or why they both always have red and black under there eyes. Or there behaviour changes in sick to death of it and I’m so scared for then. I’ll stop here. I don’t care if there’s haters after reading this I know what inknow and I know what I’ve seen and researched over the past yr and a half.
Hi! I have had the same for while now
Did either of you get answers? Please share your findings… I’m a little desperate at this point!! I hope you’re both better without them in you or your room!! Ugh!!
I have seen this parasite! I have no idea what it is , I took a few photos of something identical to this. I sent it to my doctor at OSU wexner. He is still trying to figure out what it is. The only thing different is I found one after i urinated. This scared me to death!. I took a photo but did not collect it…to damn scared to touch it.
Please let me know if you find out what it is. My doctor thinks it’s some sort of tapeworm but it’s very different looking from the usual type.