Will I get tapeworms now? 🙈🤣

[Rampicruz]

So I was in a hurry to clean my run tonight and there was wind blowing dirt and dust everywhere. When I dumped the straw and dirt and chicken poop into the bin I got a ton of blow back. Then it dawned on me...I had to worm my chickens last week because someone's poop had tapeworms in it. Then I remembered that tapeworm eggs live in the dirt....so naturally now I'm mildly paranoid that I should look out for signs of weight loss, malnutrition and worms in my toilet I read that they are probably not a problem....and I didn't just get a spoon and eat some dirt....but if anyone has something to help ease my mind that would be nice. Not sure if it's worth mentioning to my PC. Sincerely....a woman with anxiety disorder (don't judge me too harshly please)

 

[Debbie292d]

Most every source says we can't get diseases or worms from our chickens, other than salmonella.

Still, we all should wash our hands with soap and water after handling them, but look at the children, and some people, who don't. Yuck!

 

[azygous]

It's natural to be concerned. And I have an anxiety disorder, too, so you are in good company.

I think you can be reassurred that you did not stick your tongue out and catch the wind blown debris as if they were snow flakes. That would be the only way any worm eggs could get into your intestines. Any particles that made it into your nasal passages would be trapped by your nose hairs before they got anywhere near your throat.

Here's one I bet you didn't know. You can get round worms by walking barefoot on grass where dogs have pooped that carry worms. Yep, right through the soles of your feet. Now that's pretty creepy.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Good news, tapeworms need an intermediate host to complete their life cycle !

So even if you did somehow inhale or swallow tapeworm eggs/segments they will not be able to develop into adult worms.

 

[Rampicruz]

Thank you everyone!!! This helps!!!

 

[Rampicruz]

Good news, tapeworms need an intermediate host to complete their life cycle ! View attachment 3979977
So even if you did somehow inhale or swallow tapeworm eggs/segments they will not be able to develop into adult worms.

Thank you. I did not eat any snails of Flies lol.

 

[Rampicruz]

It's natural to be concerned. And I have an anxiety disorder, too, so you are in good company.

I think you can be reassurred that you did not stick your tongue out and catch the wind blown debris as if they were snow flakes. That would be the only way any worm eggs could get into your intestines. Any particles that made it into your nasal passages would be trapped by your nose hairs before they got anywhere near your throat.

Here's one I bet you didn't know. You can get round worms by walking barefoot on grass where dogs have pooped that carry worms. Yep, right through the soles of your feet. Now that's pretty creepy.

I'm not sure whether to thank you, or curse you I love to walk around barefoot outside and often let my daughter do it too....not sure thats happening anymore LOL

 

[Rampicruz]

Most every source says we can't get diseases or worms from our chickens, other than salmonella.

Still, we all should wash our hands with soap and water after handling them, but look at the children, and some people, who don't. Yuck!

We are huge on hand washing in our home. My daughter adores the chickens. If she pets, or holds them, or touches anything inside the run/coop...hands are washed as soon as we are done.

 

[azygous]

Walking barefoot on your own property is relatively safe as long as you don't have a slew of stray dogs pooping on it. But I do not recommend ever going barefoot in a dog park.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I would be far more concerned about tapeworm from undercooked pork or fish or getting debris in my lungs from chicken dust. Always wash your hands after, avoid touching your face and you will be fine. I do a mask when cleaning your coop to protect your airways from chicken dust. I was cleaning my coop a couple years ago and the wind blew a nice big pile of dust in my face. I was hacking up a storm for days so now I keep a pack of disposable masks in my barn for cleaning the coop.