Across social media platforms, videos and content promise relief from bloating, fatigue, itching and unexplained gut discomfort through ‘parasite cleanses’ — herbal powders, detox teas and DIY remedies that claim to flush out hidden worms. For many, this sort of content offers a simple explanation for complex symptoms. For doctors however, this represents a growing clinical concern.
“There is a fundamental misunderstanding about what parasites are and how common they actually are,” says Madhumitha R., senior consultant in infectious diseases and infection control at MGM Healthcare, Chennai. “Parasites are medical conditions. They require testing, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment, not guesswork.”
What parasites are and are not
Medically, parasites are organisms that live in or on a host and derive benefits at the host’s expense. In humans, this includes intestinal worms, protozoa such as amoeba and giardia, and, less commonly, parasites that affect blood or tissues. “They spread through contaminated food or water, poor hand hygiene, walking barefoot in contaminated soil, undercooked meat, overcrowding and travel to endemic regions,” Dr. Madhumitha explains. “They are not universally present in everyone.”
Yet the idea that ‘everyone has parasites’ has become one of the most persistent myths circulating online. “The biggest myth I hear is that everyone needs regular cleansing,” she says. “That is simply not true.”
Experts say patients now arrive convinced they have parasites often without any medical evidence, even when their blood work and stool tests are normal. “In the emergency room, patients commonly tell us they are using so-called parasite cleansers sold online as herbal supplements or detox routines,” says Syed Harris, consultant emergency physician at SIMS Hospital, Chennai. “They assume these products are safe because they are labelled ‘natural’.”
Symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, itching, weight changes or irregular bowel movements are frequently attributed to parasites, even though they are far more commonly caused by acidity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food intolerance or anxiety. “Sometimes, the symptoms actually worsen after the cleanse, and patients don’t realise the product itself is causing the problem.”
According to Pandurangan Basumani, senior consultant Interventional gastroenterologist and director at the Kauvery Institute of Digestive Sciences, this pattern is now routine. “Many patients come in absolutely certain parasites are the cause,” he says. “But once we test, it turns out to be acidity, IBS, food-related issues or stress affecting digestion. Actual parasitic infections are far less frequent than people expect, especially in city-based patients.”
One reason these beliefs persist is visual misinterpretation. “People often mistake mucus, undigested food or normal gut lining for worms after a cleanse,” says Dr. Madhumitha. “These are normal physiological products that the body excretes, not an infestation.” A. Sangameswaran, senior consultant in gastroenterology and hepatology at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Vanagaram, sees this repeatedly. “Many people think a worm is whatever abnormality they see in their stool,” he says. “In most cases, it is just mucus or undigested food.”
Are parasite cleansers harmless?
Doctors emphasise that parasite cleansers are not risk-free. “Possible complications include liver injury, electrolyte imbalance, severe diarrhoea, dehydration, drug interactions and delayed diagnosis of the real problem,” says Dr. Madhumita.
The consequences can be severe. “We have seen abnormal liver tests, severe abdominal pain, electrolyte imbalance, dizziness and weakness after repeated cleansing,” says Dr. Harris. “With prolonged use, people may develop nutrient deficiencies or general malnutrition.” Some products act like strong laxatives, disrupting the gut microbiome– the bacteria essential for digestion and immunity. “Once this balance is disturbed, patients may experience repeated stomach issues or worsening of existing digestive conditions,” Dr. Harris adds.
Bimal Kumar Sahu, senior consultant in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery at Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, says the risks increase with prolonged or unsupervised use. “Some herbs can harm the stomach, liver or kidneys, especially if taken in large amounts or for long periods,” he explains.
Focus on early diagnosis
One of the most serious consequences doctors point to is delayed diagnosis. “When people keep ‘cleansing’ instead of testing, real conditions are missed,” Dr. Madhumitha says. “We have seen cases of acute hepatitis, worsening anaemia and malnutrition because patients kept treating a disease they didn’t have.” Dr. Sahu highlights this concern. “Patients who relied on cleanses instead of medical care have missed real problems like ulcers or infections,” he says. Dr. Harris adds that self-treatment can even mask genuine parasitic infections. “Random cleansing is unnecessary and can be harmful,” he says. “True parasitic infections are diagnosed with specific tests and treated with targeted medicines.”
Doctors say the correct approach is straightforward. “If you have symptoms, under the guidance of a healthcare professional, do stool tests or blood tests,” Dr. Madhumitha adds. “Get the right diagnosis and targeted treatment.” Prevention, she says, is far less dramatic than online detox routines: handwashing, safe drinking water and proper cooking. “‘Natural’ does not always mean safe,” she says.
“Treating a disease you don’t have can harm the body you do have.”Dr. Sangameswaran says, “When someone presumes they have parasites, a medical check-up is the most guaranteed way to establish if this is true.”
Dcotors also emphasise that as digestive discomfort becomes medicalised online, fear amplified by misinformation is increasingly driving health decisions. “Stress and wrong information make fear worse,” says Dr. Sahu. “Once tests rule out parasites, patients often feel immediate relief.”
Experts emphasise — parasites exist, but they are not as common as social media suggests and cleansing without diagnosis carries real risks.
Published – December 29, 2025 02:08 pm IST
