Paranoid About Parasites? You Might Have This Surprising Condition 🪱

Many People Worried About Parasites Actually Have This Condition

Health and wellness influencers have been sharing videos of bears with bum-worms, usually segwaying into content about “the importance of parasite cleanses”.

There’s a long list of symptoms that having parasites can cause, and after hearing them, it’s no wonder so many people find themselves paranoid.

Here’s a few examples of symptoms that parasites can cause:

And the list goes on.

With the list being so long and varied, most people can find at least a few symptoms they personally experience. You can see how, naturally, many people can come to believe that their mysterious symptoms can be explained by parasites.

While parasite infections are a real concern that do sometimes happen, they are relatively rare in the developed world, and perhaps more common than these is paranoia about parasites.

People who worry excessively about parasite infestation may have a condition known as:

Delusional Parasitosis

Paranoia levels vary for those who experience parasite-paranoia. In severe cases, this paranoia is a recognised condition known as ‘delusional parasitosis’. While delusional parasitosis isn’t common (and often exists alongside other conditions), recognising this as a medical condition can highlight the very-real distress and suffering that accompany these anxieties, shedding light on the significant impact they can have on a persons’s life.

Parasite-related anxiety has been on the rise in recent years and is likely to persist. Across the internet, wellness gurus are increasingly promoting products and services such as parasite cleanse coaching, capitalizing on this growing concern.

Why is it LESS likely that you have parasites?

Firstly, parasites exist, and in some cases, humans contract them. Things like travelling, drinking contaminated water, and a few other factors can make infections more likely. Children are more likely to contract parasites like pinworm or head lice. This often happens because because their immune systems are still developing, they like to touch and sometimes taste things, and they might not always wash their hands properly.

If you’re concerned that you or a family member may have a parasitic infection, talk to your doctor.

For those are likely to be struggling with parasite-paranoia, here’s some food for thought to help you gain further insight on what might actually be happening.

Firstly, just because someone is exposed to something, doesn’t mean they’ve contracted it.

Humans are extremely resilient creatures. Every day we encounter things like bacteria, viruses, mold and even parasites. But, that’s exactly what our immune system is for! Our bodies are well-equipped to deal with these kinds of things.

Most humans are not suitable hosts for parasitic infections.

Like all living beings, parasites have specific requirements and conditions needed to survive. More often than not, threats like this are eliminated within a short time of entering the body.

Here’s a few fascinating ways our bodies naturally removes internal-pests like these:

• Immune Response: A healthy person typically has a robust immune system that can recognise and eliminate parasites before they can establish a significant infection. The immune system produces antibodies, activates immune cells, and triggers inflammation to combat parasites effectively.

• Host Defense Mechanisms: The body has various defense mechanisms, such as physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes), digestive enzymes, and antimicrobial substances, that help prevent parasites from entering and surviving within the body.
• Competitive Exclusion: The body’s natural microbiota (beneficial bacteria) can outcompete parasites for resources and space within the body, making it harder for parasites to establish themselves and cause infection.
• General Health and Wellbeing: Adequate nutrition and exercise supports a healthy immune system and overall physiological function, making it more challenging for parasites to exploit weaknesses or vulnerabilities in the host.

A more likely cause for unexplained symptoms:

Speaking with a healthcare professional can help you gain insight and understanding to help you uncover possible causes.

One interesting and highly plausible explanation for unexplained symptoms is having an unbalanced nervous system.

When the body spends too much time in fight-or-flight mode, unexpected symptoms can begin cropping up.

A dysregulated nervous system can lead to a variety of surprising symptoms beyond the typical ones we might expect. These can include gastrointestinal issues like chronic constipation or diarrhea, unexplained muscle twitches or spasms, increased sensitivity to light, sound, or touch, frequent headaches or migraines, changes in appetite or food cravings, difficulty regulating body temperature, such as feeling excessively hot or cold, unexplained fatigue or insomnia, sudden mood swings or emotional outbursts, memory lapses or difficulty concentrating, and even skin problems like rashes or excessive sweating.

Balancing the nervous system is essential for physical health because it regulates vital functions like heart rate, digestion, and immune response. When the nervous system is in harmony, it improves communication between the brain and body, promoting optimal organ function and overall well-being.

If you think you might have a dysregulated nervous system, you can check out this blog: