What Do Passed Tapeworm Segments Look Like? (2024)

Tapeworm segments in human stool look like tiny grains of white rice that may be moving. Tapeworm may be seen in the toilet bowl or passing through the anus. Most people with tapeworm infections have mild symptoms or none at all. When symptoms do occur, they may include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and upset stomach.

There are no at-home tests for tapeworms. If you find a tapeworm in your stool, seal it in a container and take it to a healthcare provider for lab testing. Tapeworm infection is easily treated with praziquantel, a drug that paralyzes the tapeworm and forces it from the intestines. Attempting to deworm yourself at home with natural remedies is not recommended.

Why Are There Small Worms in My Poop?

Small worms in your poop likely indicate an intestinal parasitic infection. Types of small worms that can be seen in human poop include:

• Beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata): Eating raw or undercooked beef contaminated with T. saginata can result in beef tapeworm infection (taeniasis). With taeniasis, you may see small, rice-like tapeworm segments in stool.
• Pork tapeworm (Taenia solium): Eating raw or undercooked pork contaminated with T. solium can result in pork tapeworm infection (taeniasis). Pork tapeworm may shed small, rice-like segments in stool.
• Broad fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum): Eating raw or undercooked fish contaminated with D. latum can result in broad fish tapeworm infection (diphyllobothriasis). Broad fish tapeworm also shed small, rice-like segments in stool.
• Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis): Swallowing or inhaling pinworm eggs can result in pinworm infection (enterobiasis). Also called threadworms, these worms are thin, white, and about the size of a staple. They tend to be seen around the anus rather than in stool.
  

What Does Tapeworm Look Like in Poop?

An adult tapeworm has up to 1,000 segments, called proglottids. Each proglottid contains 30,000 to 100,000 eggs. If a proglottid separates from the adult tapeworm, it will travel through the intestines and may appear in stool.

Here's how a tapeworm proglottid in human poop looks:

• Shape: Flat, rectangular segment that may look like a rice grain or cucumber seed
• Movement: Often still but may be moving in stool or around the anus
• Size: About .5 to 1 inch in length
• Color: White, pale yellow, or golden in color
• Contents: Adult tapeworm proglottids are filled with eggs

Left untreated, tapeworms can grow up to 30 feet and live up to 25 years. Usually, only the rice-like proglottids are visible in stool. It is much less common to see long, intact tapeworms.

Symptoms of a Tapeworm in Humans

Aside from passing a tapeworm, egg, or proglottid in your stool, other symptoms of an intestinal parasite infection include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Gas or bloating
• Dysentery (loose stools containing blood or mucus)
• Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva
• Stomach pain or tenderness
• Feeling tired
• Weight loss
• Bumps under the skin (cysts)

Infection with T. solium tapeworms can result in an infection called cysticercosis, in which tapeworm larvae get into other tissues, such as muscle, brain, or eye tissues, and form cysts.

When cysticercosis forms in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis. Although the condition is rare, it can result in behavior changes and life-threatening complications, such as seizures. The cysts may need to be removed surgically.

How to Check Yourself for Tapeworms

You likely won’t notice changes in your stool from a tapeworm infection unless you pass a tapeworm segment. Other than this, there are no ways to check yourself for tapeworms.

There are also no at-home tests for tapeworm infection. So, if you suspect you may have tapeworm eggs or segments in your stool, you will need to see a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.

What to Do if You Find Worms in Human Poop

If you find worms in human poop:

• Call your healthcare provider: Your provider will likely ask you to come to their office for testing. Less commonly, they may ask you to collect a stool sample and bring it to their office or a specified laboratory.
• Collect a stool sample: If you need to collect a stool sample, find a sterile container with a secure lid. Use a clean tool, such as a scoop, to collect a small amount of stool and seal it in the container. Avoid touching the stool with your hands.
• Label and store: Follow your provider's instructions to label the container. You may be asked to write your name, date, time of collection, and your provider's information. You may also be asked to place the container in a cool place, such as a refrigerator, until you can deliver it.
• Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the sample. Clean any tools, clothes, or surfaces that may have been contaminated.
  

When to See a Healthcare Provider

See a healthcare provider right away if you see or suspect evidence of worms in your stool. You should also see a healthcare provider if you:

• Recently traveled to a developing country and feel unwell or have signs of infection
• Have masses or lumps under the skin
• Have prolonged stomach pain, nausea, or other signs of tapeworm infection
• Think you may have been exposed to tapeworms within the past three months
• Have pus or blood in your stool

Some symptoms of tapeworm infection, such as prolonged stomach pain, weight loss, and blood in stool, can be signs of other serious medical conditions. See a healthcare provider if you notice these symptoms or other unusual changes in bowel habits.

What Kills Tapeworms in Humans?

The most effective way to kill tapeworms in humans is prescription medication. The most common drug prescribed to treat tapeworm infection is praziquantel. In most cases, only one dose is needed to clear the infection.

Pumpkin seeds, raw garlic, vinegar, and coconut are often suggested as remedies for tapeworms, but their effectiveness is not scientifically proven. Altogether, attempting to deworm yourself at home is not recommended.

Summary

The most common sign of a tapeworm infection is seeing a tapeworm in poop. Tapeworms like look like grains of rice and may be moving.

Tapeworm infections are diagnosed using a stool sample to analyze the type of tapeworm. In some cases, imaging studies may be needed to determine the extent of infection.

If you see tapeworm in your poop, see your healthcare provider. Some tapeworm species can cause serious, long-term health problems.