10 Homeopathic Medicines to Manage Hookworm Infection

A hookworm infection is an infection caused by intestinal parasites called hookworm. Among various hookworms the main hookworms that can cause infection includes Ancylostoma duodena and Necator americanus. Homeopathic medicines for hookworm infection help in providing symptomatic relief from symptoms like skin rash, itching, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, colic / cramps, tired feeling, weight loss. 

This infection spreads when a person with this infection defecates in the soil or such feces are used in soil for fertilizer purposes. The eggs in such faeces hatches in 1 or 2 days and passes larvae in the soil. The survival time of larvae in the soil is about 3 to 4 weeks. A healthy person tends to get this infection when his / her skin comes into contact with such soil containing larvae of this worm. The larvae get into the body through skin contact. This usually occurs when a person walks barefoot on the soil contaminated with this worm’s larvae. Other than this there is also a possibility of getting this infection from eating contaminated food (like fruits or raw unwashed vegetables contaminated with such soil) or drinking contaminated water.

Once in the human body, the larvae gets in the bloodstream and from there are carried to the lungs. Afterwards the person can cough them up and swallow them from where they reach to the small intestine. The worms can live in the small intestine for over 2 years. People who live in places where sanitation facilities are poor or use of human faeces is done as fertilizer are at high risk of getting this infection. People  who live in areas where the climate is warm are also at risk of this infection. 

Symptoms 

There may be no symptoms at all of this infection especially if a person is healthy and has strong immunity, take an iron rich diet and the infection is of mild intensity. In cases where symptoms arise, initially there occurs itching and skin rash from allergic reaction located on the skin area from where the larvae penetrated into the skin. When the hookworm enters and grows in the intestine there appears diarrhoea (loose stool), pain in abdomen, abdominal colic / cramps, loss of appetite, nausea, blood in stool, tired feeling, weight loss and fever. In long term cases anaemia may occur. This arises because the hookworm get nutrients by feeding on the human blood. The chances of intense anaemia are high if the diet is not proper. It may also be severe in women who are pregnant or if a person is having malaria.  When red blood cell count becomes very low it may lead to heart failure. Its next complications include nutritional deficiencies, ascites (build up of fluid in the abdomen) and slow physical growth and mental development (in the children).

Homeopathic Medicines for Hookworm Infection 

Homeopathic medicines are recommended in mild-to-moderate cases of a hookworm infection. They are of natural origin which are very safe and effective in these cases. These boost the body’s defence mechanism to fight with worm infection and get rid of it. The homeopathic medicines are recommended in mild to moderate cases of hookworm. But in cases where the symptoms are severe, and ascites are present,  malnutrition is quite marked, anaemia is very intense or there are signs of heart failure, then it is highly advisable to take urgent help from conventional mode of treatment.

1. Cina – Leading Medicine for Hookworm

It is a natural medicine prepared from plant Cina Maritima also known as Artemisia Maritima that belongs to the family compositae. It is a very effective medicine for cases of worms. Its use is mainly indicated when there is pain in the abdomen. The pain can be cutting or pinching type. In some cases it is felt as twisting pain about the navel. Sometimes the abdomen can be bloated also.  Along with this there is diarrhoea. In such cases the stool is loose, watery with white mucus. Sometimes stool is blood stained.

2. Calcarea Carb – For Diarrhoea and Abdominal Distension

This medicine is very beneficial for cases where diarrhoea and abdominal distension is marked. For using it the stool is watery, slimy, that smells very fetid or sour. It may have undigested food particles in it. Sometimes it can be blood streaked also. It is attended with pain in the abdomen. The stool occurs mostly after eating. In some cases the stool may occur involuntarily also. Other than above there is marked distension of the abdomen attended with its hardness. With this there is a sensation of pressure or pain in the lower abdomen. Nausea accompanies it.

3. Spigelia – For Pain in the Navel Region

It is another prominently indicated medicine for managing these cases. It is prepared from dried herb of plant Spigelia anthelmia commonly known as pink – root. This plant falls under family loganiaceae. This medicine is very helpful to manage pain in the navel / umbilical region of the abdomen. Abdominal pains are mostly cutting, griping or pinching type where it is required.  It is attended with pressure in the umbilical region. Next symptom that appears is diarrhoea with frequent urge to pass stool. There may be passage of offensive flatus (gas) in addition to above symptoms.

4. Carbon Tetrachloride – Rare but Effective Medicine for Hookworm

This homeopathic medicine is well indicated and very effective for cases of hookworm. It is a great medicine for worms and parasitic infections. As recorded in homeopathic literature it has proved as a best vermifuge (a drug that helps to expel worms from the intestinal tract) for hookworm in the countries where this disease is very much pronounced. It remains effective in removing 95% of hook worms present in the body as per homeopathic writings.  

5. Sabadilla – For Colicky Pain in Abdomen

This medicine is prepared from seeds of the plant Sabadilla officinalis / Asagraea Officinalis having the common name cevadilla. It belongs to the family melanthiaceae of liliaceae. This medicine is useful for colicky pain in the abdomen. Along with this there is a sensation of turning, whirling and twisting in the whole abdomen. This is attended with violent urging for stool. Next it is also of help in cases where violent shootings, boring or digging type of pain in the abdomen is present. With this there is diarrhoea with liquid, stool that can mixed with blood. Abdominal bloating is also there. Lastly it is useful for burning or boring types of pain in the region of the navel.

6. Natrum Mur – When There is Weight Loss and Weakness

This medicine is prominent to bring improvement in body weight and weakness. Persons needing it have weight loss in spite of eating well and having a good appetite. They also have great weakness, tiredness and get exhausted very easily. Next they may have abdominal colic and also nausea. Sometimes they complain of cutting, griping pain in the abdomen along with much rumbling. Additionally they can have frequent, watery, profuse stool that passes out in a gush. It may be bloody also. Anaemia may be present in cases that need this medicine.

7. Silicea – Another Medicine for Colic

This is yet another medicine in the list to relieve colic due to worms. In cases that require it there is a cutting type of pain in the umbilical region. The pain may get better from warm applications. In some cases the abdominal pain is felt after a meal. This may be accompanied with excessive gas with much rumbling, gurgling and distended abdomen. Abdomen can be hard, tight and sometimes attended with pain on touching. With this bloody stool is present in a few cases. 

8. China – For Diarrhoea and Weakness 

This medicine is prepared from dried bark of plant Cinchona Officinalis also known peruvian bark. This plant belongs to family rubiaceae. It is highly valuable medicine for managing diarrhoea and weakness. It is indicated when stool is loose, copious and frequent. Excessive gas passes with it. The stool has an offensive smell. Excessive weakness occurs with this. There is also loss of appetite. Weight loss and anaemia may also be present along with above symptoms.

9. Sulphur – For Managing Skin Rash and Itching

It is a highly recommended homeopathic medicine for managing cases where skin rash and itching are present. The skin is dry and scaly where it is required. In most cases needing it the skin itching gets worse from warmth and in the evening time. When scratched burning sensation may be felt on the affected skin surface. 

10. Calcarea Phos – For Colic and Diarrhoea

This medicine is well indicated when there is sharp, cutting pain in the abdomen which is followed by diarrhoea. The colic is felt usually after eating. The abdomen pain is better by passing gas and also after passing stool. The stool is loose, green and contains multiple white flakes. The stool is very offensive. Persons needing it are thin, weak and may be anaemic.