Thanks for the info, Mackay, that's what I was wondering about. I read the article through and followed several links. Sure does make your skin crawl to think about it, huh! Looks like the MMS is only FDA approved for purifying water (which is also handy info). I would be a little concerned about using it though, especially on children.
MorelCabin, what do you use to treat them yourself?
We all know the signs and the effects of a heavy worm load on our livestock. A few parasites are to be expected. It's when they overload and clog up the body that problems start to occur. Chickens will get worms just from eating grasshoppers, crickets and earthworms. So I know they have them to some degree most all of the time. That's why I treat them once a year, to clean them out a bit.
Similarly, what steps should we take for ourselves? We have an advantage--eating cooked foods, washing hands, NOT eating poop!
But we can still come in contact with them through our animals and our environment. I'm beginning to wonder if I might need to deworm myself! I have had increasing trouble with fatigue over the past few years and random, nagging aches and pains, as well as terrible brain fog (I am only 33). I was thinking maybe I had a vitamin or mineral deficiency of some sort, but I think parasites are something I need to look into as well...
I also agree with Blackbird, it is just as unhealthy to sterilize everything. Your immune system needs a little challenge from time to time to keep it running strong. But there has to be a healthy balance. Living the country life does give us more exposure than some others. Although it's interesting to note that in the case of the lady with the "brain tumor", her worm came from eating undercooked pork, not crawling through the chicken coop.
Kids are like puppies and they get into more things that put them at higher risk.
I am wanting to know more--if my child ~should~ get them, what signs to look for and how to treat them. I'm more interested in herbal/holistic remedies than OTC right now, although I know that some cases require bringing out the big guns. Also more preventative type things, like ACV or ingesting foodgrade DE--has anyone here tried/had good results with things like that?
LOL, I wonder if you could take in a human stool sample to the vet (maybe say it was from the dog). Probably cheaper than going through your doctor! I know with my animals, that it's better to target the specific worms they are having trouble with, rather than deworming blindly and causing the parasites to build up resistance to the treatment.
I seem to have opened up a pretty big CAN OF WORMS.
But really, I think this is something that bears considering.
