Dog worm infection is a high-risk condition caused by the Toxocara parasite – commonly found in dogs and cats – entering the human body through the digestive tract. Once inside the body, Toxocara larvae can migrate to vital organs such as the liver, lungs, eyes, and even the brain, causing serious damage if not detected and treated early. My Auris Dental Clinic shares with you, our dear readers, safe and effective ways to manage dog worm infection at home.
What is Dog Worm Infection?
Before applying folk remedies to treat dog worm infection, we need to understand the nature of this disease to apply proper and effective treatment methods.
Dog worm infection is a condition caused by the parasite Toxocara canis, a type of roundworm larva belonging to the Echinococcus family. This parasite enters the human body through dogs or cats – common intermediate hosts. After infecting the body, the larvae can migrate to various organs such as the liver, lungs, eyes, and brain, causing a range of dangerous symptoms.
Among the groups susceptible to infection, young children aged 3-10 are particularly vulnerable. The main reason is that children tend to play outdoors, coming into contact with soil, sand, or objects contaminated with worms without a full awareness of personal hygiene.
Toxocara canis larvae are excreted through dog feces, then persist in the environment and cling to soil, sand, raw vegetables, or daily objects. Simply by direct contact without thorough handwashing, both adults and children are at risk of infection.
Causes of dog worm infection
Factors that increase the risk of dog worm infection:
Living or playing frequently with dogs or cats that have not been dewormed regularly.
Not washing hands thoroughly after contact with soil, sand, or objects contaminated with worms.
Eating unwashed raw vegetables, undercooked food.
Living in a humid, unsanitary environment with contaminated water and soil.
Signs of Dog Worm Infection
Dog worm infection is one of the dangerous parasitic diseases that is often confused with common dermatological issues. This stems from the fact that symptoms of dog worm infection are often atypical, inconsistent, and easily obscured by vague manifestations.
The diversity in the location and number of worm cysts in the body means that the clinical manifestations of this disease vary completely from person to person. As worm cysts migrate and develop, they cause damage to the organs they invade, thereby triggering immune responses and symptoms on the skin or internal organs.
Weight loss, diarrhea (possibly with blood or mucus), vomiting, body weakness, increased salivation, itching, etc.
Here are some signs of dog worm infection you should be aware of:
Recurrent, persistent hives and itching despite no clear allergen contact.
Continuous skin itching; upon closer inspection, long threads may appear on the skin, especially in thin areas like the abdomen, inner thighs, and arms.
Persistent itching of unknown cause, not relieved by allergy medications.
Effective Folk Remedies to Support Dog Worm Treatment
People infected with dog worms should adhere to the treatment regimen prescribed by a specialist doctor. Simultaneously, some folk deworming methods can also be used to help alleviate symptoms, among which purslane is a popular and easy-to-apply home remedy.
Remedy with purslane
Remedy for Dog Worms Using Purslane
Fresh purslane is known for its ability to clear heat, cool the liver, and aid in deworming thanks to beneficial active compounds in the plant. This is a folk remedy trusted by many to support the treatment of dog worm infection.
Take a handful of purslane, wash it thoroughly, then crush it and squeeze out the juice to drink. To enhance treatment effectiveness, drink continuously for 3 to 5 days. Patients should be careful to choose clean, pesticide-free purslane to ensure safety.
For children, parents should prepare about 50g of fresh purslane, wash it well, then mash it with a pinch of salt, strain the juice, and give it to the child to drink daily. This regimen should be maintained for 3-5 days. If the child finds it difficult to drink, a little sugar can be added to make it more palatable.
Folk Remedy for Dog Worms Using Papaya Leaves
In folk medicine, papaya leaves have long been known as a remedy to support the treatment of intestinal worms, especially dog worm infection – a dangerous parasitic infection common in tropical regions. According to recent studies, papaya leaves contain over 50 bioactive compounds, with karpain highly valued for its ability to inhibit bacteria and weaken the activity of various parasites.
Karpain not only helps cleanse the intestines but also boosts the immune system, helping the body actively fight off pathogens. As a result, papaya leaf juice is increasingly used to naturally and safely eliminate intestinal worms.
How to Make Papaya Leaf Juice with Lemon
Ingredients:
10 fresh papaya leaves
½ lemon (juiced)
2 tablespoons sugar
300ml warm water
Instructions:
Wash papaya leaves thoroughly, chop them, then blend with warm water until smooth;
Strain the mixture through a sieve to get the juice;
Add lemon juice and sugar, stir until dissolved;
Drink immediately or chill and consume throughout the day.
The combination of papaya leaves and lemon not only helps cleanse the intestines but also boosts immunity, thereby effectively preventing the risk of re-infection with intestinal worms.
Home remedies for dog worms with folk remedies – Using papaya leaves
Papaya Leaf Water Cooked with Lemongrass
Ingredients:
50g dried papaya leaves
30g dried lemongrass
2 liters filtered water
Instructions:
Boil all ingredients in 2 liters of water.
Once boiling, reduce heat and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
Turn off the heat, strain the liquid, and drink it throughout the day.
Lemongrass has strong antibacterial properties; when combined with papaya leaves, it creates a drink that helps cleanse the intestines, kill parasites, and boost the body’s natural resistance.
Tip for Using Ripe Papaya to Prevent and Treat Intestinal Worms in Children
In addition to the aforementioned drinks, experts advise parents to give young children ripe papaya on an empty stomach in the morning for 3-5 consecutive days. Eating it on an empty stomach helps the active compounds in papaya maximize their ability to soften worms, promoting their natural expulsion from the body, especially effective against roundworms and pinworms.
Remedy with dandelion
Treating Dog Worms with a Folk Remedy from Dandelion Leaves
In the treasure trove of folk remedies, dandelion leaves are known as a precious herb with a characteristic bitter taste and higher biological efficacy in autumn. Thanks to their powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, dandelions have long been used to treat stomach pain, cystitis, and especially dog worm infection effectively.
To use, prepare about 20-40 grams of fresh dandelion leaves, wash them thoroughly, then crush them and squeeze out the juice. This juice should be drunk on an empty stomach every morning. Consistent consumption for 3-5 days helps to quickly eliminate worms, yielding clear results.
However, before applying any method, especially when it concerns medical conditions, patients should consult a specialist doctor to ensure absolute safety. Combining folk experience with professional medical advice is the best way to protect long-term health.
Adhere to a full vaccination schedule
Effective Ways to Prevent Dog Worm Infection, Protecting Family Health
Dog worm infection is a common parasitic infection, especially prevalent in young children and pet owners. The disease not only affects digestion but can also cause many dangerous complications if not detected and treated promptly. Therefore, preventing dog worm infection is essential to protect the health of the whole family.
Here are some preventive measures against dog worm infection that you should apply daily:
Limit direct contact with stray dogs and cats, especially when their health status is unknown. If you have pets, regularly check their health and deworm them according to the veterinarian’s prescribed schedule. Bathe pets regularly with soap or disinfectant solutions to remove parasites and bacteria clinging to their skin and fur. Wash hands thoroughly with soap after contact with pets, soil, sand, or cleaning up dog feces. This is especially important for children – who are more susceptible to dog worm infection due to their weaker immune systems. Always eat cooked food and drink boiled water; avoid rare or raw dishes, especially animal offal that has not been thoroughly processed. Soak and wash food in diluted salt water, combined with thorough food hygiene before preparation to minimize the risk of worm larvae infection from vegetables, meat, and fish.
In addition, you should also have regular health check-ups every 6 months to screen for parasitic infections, including dog worm infection. If unusual symptoms appear, such as prolonged fatigue, digestive disorders, unexplained skin itching, etc., visit a reputable medical facility for timely diagnosis and treatment of dog worm infection.
Early intervention not only helps to completely treat dog worm infection but also effectively prevents dangerous dog worm complications such as damage to the liver, lungs, eyes, or brain.
As someone with experience in public health and dental care, I always advise patients to prioritize prevention over cure. Especially with parasites like dog worms, maintaining proper hygiene habits and regular medical check-ups are key factors in protecting the health of the entire family.
