Horsehair Worms in Humans – Fact or a Myth

Horsehair worms in humans do not infect human beings in any way. They are parasitic in nature, but only affect suitable parasitic hosts only. These thread-like roundworms are specifically found in various insects and small amphibians as well. These worms generally dwell in old stored water, garden soil and cabbage plants and in other bigger insects as well. However, in spite of many controversies, no instances of horsehair worms in humans and other plants and animals have been found yet. These worms are easy to identify, and must be essentially get rid of to stop their breed and lifecycle in the home area. There are many effective ways to get rid of horsehair worms, though no traces of horsehair worms in humans have been found yet.

Horsehair worms in humans – Learn more about horsehair

Horsehair worms in humans have very rare chances to parasitize vertebrates, especially human beings. These long thread-like worms resemble the hair of a horse tail, and are mostly found in cabbage plants, swimming pools, bird baths, pet dishes, garden soil, unhygienic toilets, and essentially in body cavities of various insects like cockroach, grasshopper, crickets, millipedes, beetles, snails, centipedes, and many others. These worms are easy to identify with their slender, very long size, and brownish-black or yellowish-tan in color. Horsehair worms in humans are rarely found, and resemble the ‘Gordian Knot’ together in a mass of hundred or more, especially found after a rainfall, in the freshwater pools or stored water. There have always been some myths about these worms, especially about their emergence and existing in human beings, the fact being these worms are most harmless to animals and human beings. Horsehair in humans is just a mere myth, and there are proven facts that these roundworms cannot parasitize vertebrates essentially. The modern technology has also proven it.

Horsehair worms in humans – True facts to know

Horsehair worms in humans have been rarely found, and are more prominently present in bigger insects, soil and cabbage plant. However, there have always been controversies and myths that these worms have a parasitic effect on the animals and human beings as well. The fact is these worms can only parasitize invertebrates only, most significantly the insects. To ensure a proper lifecycle, these worms have to infect the long lived invertebrates. However, they can only infect a smaller host population, thereby the effect being nominal. Horsehair worms in humans occur in most rare condition when they ingest these worms into their body. However, the horsehair worms’ incapability to penetrate and infect the vertebrates prevents them from parasitizing humans. Not just humans, but these worms fail to infect pets, birds and livestock also, not even plants. In rare cases of horsehair worms in humans, they can only feel some irritation in the intestinal tract, but with no occurrence of any infection.

Horsehair worms in humans – Ways to control it

Horsehair worms in humans have no existence as such, but to control such emergence in the home area, clean all stored water troughs and swimming pool regularly. To avoid the occurrence of horsehair worms in humans, use a mesh filter for drinking water and other purposes. Protect your home from nasty insects to prevent horsehair worms in humans.