Parasite Symptoms
General Parasite Symptoms
Since there are so many different types of parasites, the symptoms are varied. Tapeworms, for example, cause very different symptoms than roundworms or hookworms.
Often, digestive issues are a sign that you might be hosting parasites. Do you have unexplained bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or gas? The answer may be clearing out parasites from your GI tract or bile duct.
Some other symptoms of parasites include the following: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Anxiety
Brain fog
Chemical sensitivities
Fatigue, lethargy
Food sensitivities
Itching, especially rectally at night
Mood disorders
Skin rashes
Stomach pain, tenderness, or cramping
Teeth grinding
Unexplained aches and pains in either joints or muscles
Weight loss
Drainage When Detoxing
When an “eradication agent,” such as the CellCore Para 1, 2, and 3 products, is introduced to the body, parasites die. They release inflammatory toxins that alert the body to expel these toxins as fast as possible. (6, 7)
This can be uncomfortable for you. However, if you are prepared and have the right tools in the house to deal with these reactions, you’ll have a much easier time.
Parasites can release neurotoxins, heavy metals, viruses, and other toxins, which enter into the interstitial fluid that surrounds the tissue cells. These toxins then travel to the lymphatic system, which filters the body’s waste. (8, 9)
Next, they head to the spleen, lymph nodes, or liver to be further filtered, and then sent to other drainage pathways (like the bladder, colon, kidneys, or even the breath and skin).
The trouble is, especially if you are chronically ill, some of these detoxification organs can be blocked. This means the toxins can recirculate in the body as they wait to be detoxified, and that’s what typically causes die-off symptoms. (3)
Die-off is sometimes necessary to endure, because the very thing causing the drainage trouble can often be the parasites themselves. Parasites inhabit the liver and bile duct, but also many of the other elimination organs. (10, 11, 12)
The more you work on eradicating parasites, the easier these reactions can become.
Die-Off Symptoms and How to Combat Them
Symptom: Aches and Pains
A very common, but uncomfortable, detox symptom is an aching body. The joints, muscles, or even organs in you may hurt as a result of the body eliminating toxic waste while parasites die.
How to Fight It
Try an epsom salt or magnesium chloride bath. This helps pull toxins from the skin, and also replenishes the magnesium, which the body burns through quickly during stress. (13)
Exercise because not being active can actually worsen joining pain. This doesn’t have to be intense exercise. Instead, focus on easy movements to promote stability and to stretch affected joints and muscles. (14)
You can also use hot/cold packs for immediate relief to joint pain. Start with a hot compress for 20 minutes and then switch to a cold ice pack for another 20. (14)
For an extra boost to keep joints and connective tissue strong, you can include more collagen in your diet by consuming foods high in protein. Collagen can also be taken in supplement form, powders, or bone broth. (14)
You can also get chiropractic care to get non-invasive adjustments to provide instant and long term relief from aches and pains. (14)
Symptom: Anxiety and Depression
Parasitic infections, especially food-borne ones, can be responsible for depression, anxiety, and even schizophrenia. Certain parasites, metacestodes of Taenia solium, actually influence the neurotransmitter pathways. This negatively impacts dopamine, GABA, and serotonin levels. (15)
Many parasitic infections, like Toxoplasma gondii, can be responsible for disorders like OCD and generalized anxiety. Additionally, certain neurological symptoms can flare during a “die-off” reaction. (16)
In a 2013 study published in JAMA Neurology, researchers took cerebrospinal fluid at the peak of a 55-year-old man’s Herxheimer reaction. They found elevated cytokines (particularly interleukins), which returned to normal when the reaction was finished. These white blood cells help stimulate an immune response (including inflammation) in response to a trigger or toxin. (17)
Experiencing anxiety and depression is common while killing off parasites, and usually is temporary. Though it may be difficult for you to foster this mindset, bear in mind that die-off reactions mean that the body is working hard to eliminate the toxins and the anxiety and depression will fade.
How to Fight It
Get out in the sun and soak up some Vitamin D. Not only is this a great mood booster, but it’s also a wonderful way to boost the immune system and help the body with its detox burden. (18, 19)
If it’s too cold or cloudy, you can try a light therapy lamp. This lamp can be placed a few feet away so you can see it out of the corner of your eye. You can even do this while reading or working (eyes need to be open). This works best in the morning or afternoon, because if you use it in the evening, it can be stimulatory and disturb the circadian rhythm. (20, 21, 22, 23)
Emotional trauma processing tools, such as EFT and Braintap, are also available. You can also look into programs like Gupta and DNRS to help rewire trauma loops in your limbic system without the use of supplements or drugs. Braintap uses light, tones, and “auriculotherapy” (trigger points in the ears activated by frequencies) that all work together to create a relaxing experience. (24, 25)
For anxiety, try Buteyko breathing exercises, diffusing Bergamot oil, and drinking a calming tea. (26, 27, 28, 29)
Symptom: Breakouts
Toxins can leave the body through the skin, and so can parasites and their eggs. If toxins pile up in the body, this can appear as breakouts on the skin. When it comes to cleansing, the skin may be purging these toxins which can also cause breakouts because the pores are clogged. (30, 31)
How to Fight It
If you are experiencing more breakouts than you normally do, keep your skin clean by washing it twice a day.
Apple cider vinegar can be used on breakouts in a face wash, toner, or spot treatment (32, 33, 34)
You can make your own skin rescue cream: almond oil, coconut oil, and tea tree oil. These three oils all have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit the skin. (35, 36, 37, 38)
Symptom: Cravings
When you are parasite cleansing, avoid the foods that help feed these parasites. The biggest two to avoid are sugar and grains, but animal products, too, can slow down digestion. (39)
Add as many fresh vegetables as you can. You should also include some low-sugar fruits like berries, citrus fruits, or melons, and plenty of healthy fats to your diet.
Sugar is linked to diabetes, heart complications, liver and kidney disease, poor oral hygiene, obesity, and other systemic diseases. It can also suppress immune system activity for up to six hours after consumption. (40, 41)
Eliminating all processed, boxed or packaged foods, and reaching for the one-ingredient foods that don’t need a nutrition label (like produce) will help you keep your parasite infestation under control.
Reminder to watch out for hidden and artificial sugars, too, and even “healthier” sugars like honey, at least while you’re actively cleansing.
How to Fight It
A cup of peppermint tea (or any herbal tea) can help fight your sugar cravings. (42)
Adding more healthy fat, like avocado or coconut oil, can help your body feel satiated as well. (43)
Symptom: Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints during a parasite cleanse. It’s tough on the body to process and eliminate the toxins released when killing parasites. Most people begin to regain vitality and energy after spending some time on the parasite protocol.
How to Fight It
Sleep is vital, not only for fighting fatigue, but also for giving the body the time and space it needs for healing. Be sure to get 8-10 hours of sleep if possible.
Along with sleeping more, you should also slow down on exercise. Replace your cardio or kickboxing with some gentle yoga or stretching, at least until your body has had some time to recover. (44)
B vitamins can also help combat fatigue. Adequate supply of B vitamins is required for appropriate functioning of the energy-production system. These B vitamins (except folate) support fundamental cellular functions for energy-yielding metabolism which affects cognitive and psychological processes to combat fatigue. (45, 46)
Mitochondria are the energy producers of the body, so boosting their function during a cleanse can help mitigate fatigue. CellCore’s MitoATP is designed to upregulate ATP production and promote cellular renewal. (47, 48, 49, 50)
Symptom: Flu-like symptoms, Fever, Chills
When fighting Lyme disease, relapsing fever, or other parasitic infections, you may experience brief Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions to treatment. In a 2017 study, these patients’ symptoms resolved in just a few hours. Researchers deemed these temporary uncomfortable symptoms as necessary for eradicating the spirochetal infection. (51, 52, 53)
How to Fight It
You should remain comfortable. Rest is recommended to get over this die-off symptom, especially since it’s normally a shorter duration.
If you experience chills, an infrared sauna can help. Sauna therapy has been used as a health practice for thousands of years in Scandinavia. Infrared saunas can be used in short sessions to enhance blood flow and cardiac functioning, and longer sessions can be done to detox heavy metals and purge other toxins. (54, 55)
Sufficient hydration will help this process along, especially with a fever.
You could use anti-inflammatory painkillers, or natural fever-reducing herbs, like moringa and kudzu root (56, 57)
Symptom: Headache
Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of any kind of detox you will experience. They can occur as the body adjusts to the parasite cleanse diet (avoiding caffeine and sugar), or because of parasite activity in your head. Sometimes, these types of headaches can co-occur with sensitivity to light and nausea.
How to Fight It
Try applying some Frankincense oil or WO China healing oil on your temples, across your forehead, and on the back of your neck (58)
Rubbing peppermint essential oil across the temples has also been shown to reduce the symptoms of tension headaches. (59)
Make sure you’re well-hydrated, as headaches can easily worsen due to dehydration. (60)
To help with hydration, ginger tea may help reduce nausea and vomiting, as well as provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidants to stay migraine pain (61, 62)
For another natural way to treat headaches, acupuncture can be another option. A technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this practice uses thin needles that are inserted into the skin to stimulate meridian points on the body. (63, 64)
You can also practice yoga to relieve stress, which may help reduce headaches and chronic migraines, as well as increase quality of life because of its therapeutic effects. (65, 66, 67)
Symptom: Increased GI Upset
Since parasites like to live in the digestive tract, sometimes digestive symptoms can increase during a cleanse. You might experience bloating, constipation, cramps, diarrhea, or other issues with digestion. (68, 69, 70)
How to Fight It
Fresh ginger or pure aloe can be calming to the digestive system. If you are struggling with diarrhea, activated charcoal can help bind your stool. (71, 72)
A digestive essential oil blend of ginger, fennel, peppermint, rosemary, and lemon (with coconut oil as a carrier oil) can also be helpful to apply topically on the stomach. (73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
Traditionally, chamomile has been used to treat digestive ailments. Chamomile tea may protect against diarrhea, nausea, and gas due to its anti-inflammatory properties. (78, 79, 80)
You can also increase your green juice or bone broth intake to give the digestive system a break. (81, 82, 83, 84)
Symptom: Insomnia
Whenever the body is processing toxins, issues with sleeping can arise. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a body clock that explains why certain times of day align with certain organs. For example, if you frequently wake up between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM, it could be the liver that is affected. You may also experience trouble falling asleep or staying asleep while you’re detoxing.
How to Fight It
You can try a castor oil pack before bed, followed by a warm Epsom salt bath. This can give your body a boost in eliminating toxins before you climb into bed. (85, 86, 87)
Diffusing certain oils, like cedarwood and lavender, is also a great option to calm the body and encourage sleep. (88, 89)
Sleep hygiene is also essential during this detox period. Create a completely dark room, avoid screens late at night, and avoid eating stimulating foods two hours before bed. (90, 91)
Symptom: Phlegm or Stuffy Nose
Mucus and phlegm are the body’s way of trapping and eliminating toxins. A flare-up of these symptoms can occur once you start killing parasites. When parasites enter the body, the immune system creates antibodies to the parasite’s protein signature. These antibodies are coated in the mucus, so the sinuses need to be clear to drain the excess bacteria. (92, 93)
How to Fight It
Using a saline rinse in a Netipot or Navage system is a great method to irrigate the sinuses and battle the stuffiness that occurs with die-off. Using Para 3 in a sinus rinse can help the detox process by targeting parasites in the sinuses. You can also add HydrOxygen to help boost the process. (94, 95)
Along with a sinus rinse, a nasal saline spray can also help clear the sinuses by adding moisture and breaking up the mucus. (95)
Symptom: Skin Rashes
Skin is an organ of elimination, and sometimes the body tries to eliminate toxins in this way. You might experience a variety of skin reactions during detox. These include dry skin, flare ups of eczema or psoriasis, skin sores, or a number of other rash-like symptoms. The good news, though, is that these typically resolve on their own in a few days. (96)
How to Fight It
Dry skin brushing is a good way to stimulate your lymphatic system and also slough off that dead, toxin-containing skin. Make sure that you use a soft, firm brush with natural bristles, and always brush towards the heart. It’s best to skin brush once or twice a day, ideally before a shower. (97)
Additionally, coconut oil with some diluted tea tree oil is a great way to help skin rashes heal a bit faster. (98, 99)
Oatmeal is another natural option due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. You can make a poultice or bathe with powdered oatmeal. (100)
Drainage Support for Lymphatics and Liver/Bile Duct Support
You always want to make sure your liver and bile duct are functioning well if they're experiencing die-off.
Since the lymphatic system helps process the toxins and waste and remove them from the body, you should give it some extra care while on a parasite cleanse. LymphActiv is effective for this purpose in establishing drainage in the body for a more effective detox. You can also look into taking the Liver Cleanse to leverage your natural liver cleansing ability.
General Die-Off Support
Binders: Carbon Technology binders made of humic acid and fulvic acid extracts can safely escort toxins out of your body to help regain balance and rebuild what was damaged. You can take any Carbon Technology products long term without a break, which may help you get better quicker. BioToxin and ViRadChem are CellCore’s main parasite binders. (101, 102)
Epsom Salt Baths: These can help draw toxins from the skin. If you are sensitive to Epsom salts, your body may have trouble with its transsulfuration pathway. Epsom salts are Magnesium Sulfate, which can be hard for a small percentage of the population to process. In this case, you can try Magnesium Chloride flakes instead. Taking certain forms of magnesium, like Magnesium Citrate, can also keep the bowels moving. (103)
Green Juice: Flooding the body with nutrition in the form of green juice or green smoothies will help digestion, energy, and immunity. (81, 82)
Hydration: Staying hydrated is incredibly important during a parasite cleanse. Dehydration slows down the organs of elimination, like the lymphatic system, and keeps toxins trapped in the body longer. Add some trace minerals and lemon to water for additional benefit. (104)
Infrared Sauna: Infrared saunas can help sweat out toxins and eliminate them faster. Just be sure you restore electrolytes and minerals lost through sweating. (54, 55)
Stress-Relief: Practicing forms of stress-relief, like meditation or yoga, keeps the body out of fight-or-flight mode and encourages the parasympathetic nervous system to take over. The parasympathetic nervous system is the “rest and digest” enforcer, which allows the body to relax and heal. (65, 105)
Supplements: Other CellCore products such as CT-Minerals, HydrOxygen, and MitoATP can also be used to support the body during detoxing of parasite die-off symptoms.
What Next?
If you are choosing to rid your body of parasites, make sure you’re also giving your body the drainage and emotional support needed to process the toxins.
Experiencing die-off symptoms, alongside existing health issues, can be discouraging. Provide additional support for yourself during your cleanse and remind yourself that experiencing die-off is a necessary (and temporary) discomfort in order for you to continue on your pathway to optimal health.
