Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Preventing Hookworms
• Method 2 of 2: Getting rid of the hookworm
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Hookworms are parasitic worms also known as soil-borne helminths. They live in the small intestine and are responsible for diseases around the world. When the faeces of infected people or animals are released outside, the eggs are transferred and deposited on the surface of the earth, causing infection to others. The eggs mature, they hatch into larvae and develop into a form that can easily penetrate the skin of a person or animal. Most people and animals contract hookworm infection when walking or lying on contaminated soil. After the hookworms have penetrated the skin, they move into the intestines. You can get rid of hookworm infection with medication.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Preventing Hookworms

1. 1 Wear footwear to avoid stepping on contaminated soil, especially when traveling to tropical, subtropical and developing countries.
2. 2 Deworm your dog. It is the best remedy for preventing hookworm infections in humans and dogs.
   • Although it is a known fact that hookworm infection in animals does not lead to hookworm infection in humans, a rash can occur. Deworming can prevent this rash from developing in humans.
3. 3 Remove all feces left by the hookworm dog. Clean up the area where your dog defecates regularly.
4. 4 Use fresh garlic as an antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal agent. Garlic is sometimes used by alternative medicine to treat parasites such as hookworms.

Method 2 of 2: Getting rid of the hookworm

1. 1 Treat hookworm infection with medication.
   • Mebendazole is a common anthelmintic drug that kills parasites such as hookworm, roundworm, pinworm and whipworm in the human body.
   • Albendazole is another common drug that doctors prescribe to treat hookworm infections. Hookworm infection is 100 percent curable. If left untreated, serious problems such as anemia can arise, especially in young children and the elderly.
   • Pirantela pomoate is considered by veterinarians as one of the most effective drugs for treating hookworms in pets. This drug is safe, effective and well tolerated by pets, and doctors prescribe it to humans as well. This drug paralyzes the worms so that the body can get rid of them naturally through feces.

Tips

• There are very few signs or symptoms of hookworm disease, therefore, over 70 percent of people do not even know they are infected.
• Be careful if children play in open sandboxes. Animals often use the sandbox to defecate.
• Hookworm larvae can live up to 4 weeks after the eggs hatch in soil, grass, flowers, or other foliage.
• Hookworm eggs require moist soil to hatch. Allow your pet to defecate only in areas that receive at least 3 hours of sunlight per day.

Warnings

• Be aware that newborns, young children, pregnant women, and people who are malnourished are at greater risk if they have been exposed to hookworms.
• Drugs intended to get rid of hookworm should not be given to children under 2 years of age. Talk to your pediatrician for expert opinion and advice.

What do you need

• Shoes
• Preparation for deworming
• Fresh garlic
• Mebendazole
• Albendazole
• Pirantela pamoat