A 18-year-old male asked:
Is helminthic therapy a viable treatment for autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and asthma?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ed Friedlanderanswered
Pathology 46 years experience
Reality check: I would dismiss hollywood leech therapy out of hand. For decades, people have proposed that infesting folks with worms might tweak the immune system favorably. Despite some pilot studies for inflammatory bowel disease, the new work isn't promising. Latest studies failed for allergic rhinitis, nothing for asthma or psoriasis. If offered helminths by an unorthodox healer for either, it's your money.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Tracy Lovellanswered
Internal Medicine - rheumatology 23 years experience
Unknown: There is research looking at the roles that infections may play with certain types of diseases, but currently it is not standard care to use helminthic therapy unless you have a true helminthic infection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 21, 2020
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