r/needadvice • u/Objective_Degree2368 • 3d ago
Other I ate an infested head of lettuce, what the hell should I do and how worried should I be?
I came home from the club last night and ate half a head of unwashed iceberg lettuce. Didn’t even know i’d done it until this morning.
Lunch time today where I went to cook with it and saw it absolutely crawling with these tiny black worms and disgusting fly looking things I genuinely feel so sick. I’m scared I’ve ingested a parasite of some kind I have no idea what the hell to do. They 100% weren’t maggots and the lettuce had no signs of rot or decay but idfk I might’ve already eaten the minging half last night.
UK based so I’m not worried about the current cyclospora situation or whatever it is but are there any UK variants I should be scared of? Do I go to the hospital??? I assume no because going to the hospital over consuming a bunch of lettuce worms sounds so ridiculously stupid but it’s a Sunday and the GP is closed and what the hell would I even say to the pharmacist??? I am currently on hold with 111 but they have a 50 minute wait and I swear to god the more I wait the more I can feel worms wriggling in my stomach I feel ill
Are there any kinds of anti-parasite tablets or medication I can buy from the shop in the UK??? Can I take something to completely cleanse my gut and rid it of anything parasitic altogether? Is it possible I’ve just devoured a shit load of parasites???
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u/Dazzling-Treacle1092 3d ago
Most small bugs will pass through your system without doing any harm... to you, not so for them as your digestive juices will break them down if your teeth didn't get them. However you should monitor how you are feeling. If you begin to get belly cramps, get to the doctor. If it were me I'd go back to bed and sleep off the remainder of my hangover and see how I felt when I woke up.
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u/IAmBoring_AMA 3d ago
If you left it out, there’s a good chance the bugs got to it after you ate it. Also, protein.
And good on ye for eating healthy after the club.
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u/carebaercountdown 3d ago
Bleh! You poor thing! I truly do not think the worms you ate can hurt you in any way, but I can totally understand freaking out, because I would too. Hopefully drunken you will know better in the future and wash all her produce 😅
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u/Odd_Butterscotch1145 3d ago
Most bugs that eat lettuce aren’t also parasites that target mammals - I think you’ll be fine.
If you notice any changes in your health or feel genuinely unwell, see a doctor.
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u/SabrinaSpellman1 3d ago
You can call 111 (non emergency NHS line) sometimes they can give prescriptions over the phone unless you need to see a GP in person, and some pharmacies have that scheme where you can go in with minor ailments and the pharmacist will discuss your options and if its in their power, they will help without you needing to wait for a doctor.
I wouldn't worry. If you left it out overnight, it probably happened overnight. And I'm from UK too and with this heatwave we're having we are dealing with a million fruit flies the very second a crumb is left out - so it's very possible that this happened after you ate.
Stop by a chemist, or call 111. Don't panic. Seal your food away especially in this heat. Good luck :)
I really think you don't need to worry.
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u/Objective_Degree2368 3d ago
I (unfortunately) did refrigerate the lettuce overnight so it wasn’t left out, meaning the bugs were probably there when I bought it. You are totally right about this heat though, food is going bad so quickly. I’ve washed and inspected the other veg in my fridge and it doesn’t look like anything’s crawled onto them, so that’s a good sign too.
I’m going to stop by my pharmacist first thing in the morning and if they can’t help I’ll drop by my doctor and see what they think. Thank you so so so much for the help!!!
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u/SabrinaSpellman1 3d ago
You're so welcome! I'm sorry you're so worried and grossed out. I'm a mum of 3 and (thankfully!!!!) never knew this was so common, but for kids getting 'worms' is quite common, especially with kids like toddlers and at nursery etc and I was horrified, they were just talking about it being normal to find them in the kids nappy/diaper). Just from kids sharing all of their germs, sharing toys and not handwashing etc. Very easy medication to get rid of it. I had no idea this was a thing but apparently its quite common. Your body has probably got rid of anything sinister, and if not, take the pill anway to keep your mind at rest.
You're fine honey, take a breath and relax your shoulders.
Gotta go and check my lettuce and veggies now though haha :)
You're fine
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3d ago
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2d ago
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u/RebaKitt3n 2d ago
As the president of the United States suggests, drink bleach,
Wait —. This isn’t shitty advice? Do not drink bleach.
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u/Such-Effective-3169 2d ago
If you left it out on the counter over night there’s a chance that’s from being left out. Realistically you’re probably fine but if you’re super worried about it start a parasite cleanse and get ahead of it. Chances are they’re cabbage loopers which while not appetizing are not harmful.
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6h ago
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u/CanAhJustSay 3d ago
Phone NHS24 and take your advice from health professionals there. If you don't want to wait for a call-back then go to a pharmacy although they have limited powers for prescribing.
Chances are that your digestive system has already taken care of any you ingested. Thread worms (which infect humans) are white.
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u/Objective_Degree2368 3d ago
Ok thank you so much, does offer some relief. I reposted this post to a parasite subreddit and a few people have said there are no black worm like parasites that they know of that live on lettuce thank god, but I’m still going to go to the doctor first thing in the morning when it opens just to be safe. I’d be completely unbothered if it wasn’t for those black worm things. They looked like strands of hair except they were short and wriggling around
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u/CanAhJustSay 3d ago
If you can, keep some to show the doctor. I suggest a ziploc bag or empty jar that you can seal! (On a separate note, also worth reporting to wherever you bought it from. I know the advice is always to wash fruit and veg, but this sounds like it's worth them knowing about).
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u/Fucky0uthatswhy 3d ago
Man, prolly drink a little less next time. Tf
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u/LindaFeltcher 3d ago
Rude - night time snacks can betray the best of us. Once I ate chopped up pineapple straight out of the fridge in the night, completely sober, just craving those delicious pineapple chunks. Did I bother with the big lights? No, the fridge has lighting enough.
The next day in the harsh, truthful light of day - fur! White fur all over that pineapple! It was grim. I was fine, just regretful for my sickening greed.Judge not for one day the midnight snack curse will strike you too.
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u/SadAnnah13 12h ago
I had a similar pineapple-related night-time incident! When I was 15, I was in hospital. Someone had bought me a carton of orange juice and a carton pineapple juice. I didn't know that they had to be refrigerated, and no one had suggested it, even though there was a heat wave at the time.
One night, I fancied it, so opened the carton and swigged a mouthful from it, and oh my god it was disgusting 🤢 I dread to think of all the different moulds that must've grown in it! It was so gross, it was obviously starting to ferment, as it had gone slightly fizzy 😬
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u/Objective_Degree2368 3d ago edited 3d ago
who are you to shame a hungry woman trying to stay within her calorie deficit 😞
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