Signs You Might Have a Parasite: 10 Symptoms to Watch For
Written by Laura Woodley, Qualified Naturopath | Diploma in Naturopathy & Applied Intolerance Testing
In my years working as a naturopath at my clinic, Health Sense, one of the most commonly overlooked root causes of persistent health issues has been intestinal parasites. Many of my clients had seen multiple doctors before discovering that the underlying issue wasn't stress, IBS, or just "how their body works" — it was a parasitic infection.
The challenge is that the symptoms of a parasitic infection are often vague, overlap with other conditions, and can persist for months or even years before being identified. In this article, I'm going to walk you through the most common signs, so you can begin to join the dots.
What is an intestinal parasite?
An intestinal parasite is an organism that lives inside the human digestive tract, feeding off your nutrients and disrupting the normal function of your gut. They're more common than most people realise — the World Health Organization estimates that over a billion people worldwide are affected. Common types include roundworms, tapeworms, pinworms, giardia and cryptosporidium.
You can pick them up through contaminated water or food, contact with infected soil, international travel, or even through pets. In the UK, they're often underdiagnosed because the symptoms are so easily attributed to other causes.
10 signs you might have a parasite
Persistent digestive issues — bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating between the two. Parasites disrupt the gut environment significantly.
Unexplained fatigue — if you're sleeping well but still exhausted, parasites may be stealing nutrients before your body can absorb them.
Grinding teeth at night — known as bruxism, this is frequently associated with parasitic infection, particularly in children but also in adults.
Skin problems — itching (particularly around the anus at night), eczema flare-ups, hives, or unexplained rashes.
Disturbed sleep — waking at unusual times, particularly between 2–3am, as this is when the liver is working hardest to process toxins.
Muscle or joint pain — parasites can migrate beyond the gut and trigger inflammation in joints and muscles.
Changes in appetite — either unusual hunger (parasites consuming your food) or loss of appetite as the body responds to infection.
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating — the gut-brain connection is well established; a disrupted gut microbiome affects cognitive clarity.
Nutrient deficiencies despite a good diet — unexplained iron deficiency anaemia or low B12 are common in parasitic infections.
Immune issues — getting ill frequently, slow healing, or persistent low-grade infections.
What to do if you recognise these symptoms
If several of these signs resonate with you, the first step is to speak to your GP for a stool test. However, standard tests often miss certain parasites — if you've been tested and come back negative but still have symptoms, a specialist stool test from a functional medicine laboratory may give you more detailed results.
Alongside any medical advice, supporting your body's natural defences is important. At Pure Detox Naturals, our Para-Detox supplement was formulated specifically for this purpose — a blend of clinically relevant herbs including Black Walnut Hull, Wormwood, Clove, and Pau d'Arco, designed to create an environment in the gut that is less hospitable to parasites while supporting the body's natural elimination processes.
It was the first product I developed from my clinical protocols, and it remains our best-seller for good reason — it works.
The bottom line
Parasites are more common, and more commonly missed, than most people realise. If you've been struggling with persistent, unexplained symptoms — especially digestive issues, fatigue, and skin problems occurring together — it's worth investigating. You deserve answers, not just symptom management.
Explore Para-Detox — our naturopath-formulated parasite cleanse →
