A tapeworm is a flat, segmented parasitic worm that resides in the intestines, attaching to the wall to absorb nutrients. The most common way a person discovers an infection is by noticing small, distinct pieces in their feces or around the anal area. These pieces are reproductive segments that detach from the adult worm to pass out of the body and spread eggs.
Identifying Tapeworm Segments in Stool
The pieces of the tapeworm found in stool are called proglottids, and they are typically small, flat, and rectangular. These segments often resemble a grain of white rice or a cucumber seed, varying in size up to an inch depending on the species. When freshly passed, their color is typically white, pale yellow, or golden.
A major identifying feature is the potential for movement. Fresh proglottids may still be alive and can be observed wriggling or moving when passed in the stool. This movement is a strong indicator that the object is a live parasite segment, not inert food matter.
As the segments dry out, their appearance changes significantly, making them harder to identify. They lose their white, moist look and shrivel to resemble dried, yellowish specks. At this stage, they may look like a sesame seed or a hardened grain of rice stuck to the feces or anal hairs. The flat, defined shape of the segment, even when dried, helps distinguish it from other debris.
How to Distinguish Segments from Other Objects
A common concern is mistaking tapeworm segments for undigested food particles. Undigested vegetable matter, such as fibrous pieces of corn or seeds, can be confused with a segment due to similar size and color. However, food particles are typically fibrous and static, lacking the defined, flat, rectangular shape and the potential for independent movement seen in fresh proglottids.
Another object sometimes mistaken for a segment is intestinal mucus. Mucus is often clear, yellowish, or slightly white and can appear stringy or slimy in the stool. Unlike the solid, defined, and flat structure of a tapeworm segment, mucus is gelatinous and lacks the consistent, rice-like form.
It is important to differentiate tapeworm segments from other types of intestinal worms, such as pinworms. Pinworms are entire, thread-like worms that are thin, white, and typically less than a half-inch long. They look like small pieces of white thread or a staple, making them distinct from the flat, rectangular, rice-grain-like segments of a tapeworm.
Immediate Actions After Discovery
If you observe an object strongly resembling a tapeworm segment, remain calm, as these infections are highly treatable. The next action should be to collect the specimen for laboratory analysis, as this visual evidence is often the most definitive way to confirm the diagnosis. Place the segment into a clean, sealed container, such as a plastic bag or jar, to preserve it.
Contact a healthcare provider immediately to report the finding and arrange for testing. The collected segment is often examined under a microscope to confirm the species of tapeworm and ensure an accurate diagnosis. Your provider may also request a stool sample to check for eggs or other evidence of infection over several days.
Treatment for an intestinal tapeworm infection typically involves a single dose of an oral antiparasitic medication, such as praziquantel. This medication kills the tapeworm, which is then passed out of the body in the stool. A follow-up test is usually conducted after a few months to confirm that the treatment was successful and the parasite has been completely eradicated.