Symptoms in children include nervousness, colic, poor appetite, allergic reactions, and at times malnutrition, as roundworm inhibits absorption of nutrients. Adult symptoms include abdominal pain, edema of the lips, allergic reactions, insomnia, anorexia, and weight loss. People who go barefoot are often infected. They are then swallowed and end up in the small intestine. Symptoms include itchy patches of skin, pimples, and blisters.
Hookworms grab onto the intestinal mucosa, resulting in hemorrhage of the mucosa and loss of blood.
The itchiness can cause insomnia and, as a result, listlessness, restlessness, and irritability. The eggs can then contaminate underwear, pajamas, sheets, hands, and anything that contaminated hands may touch. The eggs can also float about the house. Thus, while most parasitic infections may be avoided through careful hygiene, you may get pinworm by simply breathing. A beef tapeworm does not produce marked symptoms, but can result in diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nervousness, nausea, and loss of appetite.