I just heard that hookworms can relieve allergy and asthma symptoms in humans. Has anyone out there tried this or willing to try?

I don’t suffer from asthma or anything, but even if I did, I don’t think I’d be willing to infect myself with a parasite to relieve my allergy symptoms. The parasites can cause damage, like anemia and stunted growth, so I just don’t think I’d go there.

That said, considering there are drugs on the market right now that can potentially kill someone and cause other serious side effects, I think I agree when you say the only reason this was banned is because the drug industry faces the potential to lose a lot of money. I wouldn’t take these worms for the same reason that I wouldn’t take most other medications. The risks just outweigh the benefits.

I would rather have asthma, then worms. yuk

Two things, thanks for telling me how to spell asthma, and secondly I understand that the only symptoms these hookworms cause is diarrhea when you are first infected and anemia that can be easily controlled.

I know that maggots have are widely used to clean infected wounds but I think that I would go crazy if I felt them crawling on me. I’m not sure about the hookworms.

I would not be willing to try such a thing.

You stated this: I have also heard that the FDA shut down the supplier of the hookworms. Just think of the devastation this cure would cause the drug industry. I believe that is the main reason for the shutdown.

I do not know if this is true regarding the hookworms, however, I fully believe that the drug industry shuts down, hides, and otherwise does everything (bribery and blackmail included) within its power to get rid of any remedy that risks their profits. I truly wonder how much we (the general public) have lost out on due to pharmaceutical company greed.

That is like ingesting a tapeworm to lose weight. I mean, the possibility is there, but why be that stupid

@Arisztid I have a friend that is absolutely convinced that a cure for cancer has been found but the drug companies hid it to maintain profits. Why not? Automobile companies have hid or stolen inventions for years without regard to the benefits of their customers. The problem with big industry is big self-interest and no one to control them.

@Keysha according to the program I heard, the hookworms are relatively benign and cause few but manageable problems.

@Ron_C If that is so, I would not be surprised one bit. I agree with you regarding big industry… and it is never going to change.

@Ron_C “the parasite was among the primary causes of stunted growth and malnutrition in developing countries.

“If a kid is infected with 25 hookworms, he’s being robbed of his daily iron requirement, and because the worms suppress the immune system, they can increase the host’s susceptibility to diseases like AIDS and malaria,” – - – from the article.

Sounds safe to me.

@Ron_C NPR/This American Life?

Some in the medical profession use leeches now for edema. I hear it is only the concept that is horrifying.

@bobloblaw that’s where I heard it, then I did a little research.