"Rope worms" (or "ropeworms") is a

pseudoscientific Pseudoscience consists of statements, beliefs, or practices that claim to be both scientific and factual but are incompatible with the scientific method. Pseudoscience is often characterized by contradictory, exaggerated or unfalsifiable cl ...

term for long thin pieces of damaged

intestinal epithelium The intestinal epithelium is the single cell layer that forms the luminal surface (lining) of both the small and large intestine (colon) of the gastrointestinal tract. Composed of simple columnar epithelium its main functions are absorptio ...

or other bowel content that have been misidentified as human

parasitic worm Parasitic worms, also known as helminths, are a polyphyletic group of large macroparasites; adults can generally be seen with the naked eye. Many are intestinal worms that are soil-transmitted and infect the gastrointestinal tract. Other par ...

s. "Rope worms" were reported in 2013 in two self-published papers by Volinsky and Gubarev et al. In fact, they are not actual parasites, but instead fragments of

mucous membrane A mucous membrane or mucosa is a membrane that lines various cavities in the body of an organism and covers the surface of internal organs. It consists of one or more layers of epithelial cells overlying a layer of loose connective tissue. It ...

shed from the gut following the use of bleach enemas (usually marketed as

Miracle Mineral Supplement Miracle Mineral Supplement, often referred to as Miracle Mineral Solution, Master Mineral Solution, MMS or the CD protocol, is a branded name for an aqueous solution of chlorine dioxide, an industrial bleaching agent, that has been falsely ...

) and other similarly ineffective and toxic cleanses, such as the

essential oil An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the ...

enema described by Volinsky et al. The phenomenon results from improper identification of intestinal artifacts expelled from the body. These "ropeworms" are often discussed, with images shared and claimed as evidence of successful detoxing, on

autism Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing d ...

forums and altmed Facebook groups, wherein various toxic and/or ineffective products are falsely claimed to cure autism and a myriad of other conditions and ailments. In one Facebook group, 8500 members have allegedly been charged $60 to join, half a million dollars combined, leading to questioning of the leaders' intentions. Parents in these groups may be reluctant to take their children to their doctors, even when dangerous reactions to chlorine dioxide are apparent, such as vomiting,

malaise In medicine, malaise is a feeling of general discomfort, uneasiness or lack of wellbeing and often the first sign of an infection or other disease. It is considered a vague termdescribing the state of simply not feeling well. The word has exist ...

, dehydration, and

jaundice Jaundice, also known as icterus, is a yellowish or, less frequently, greenish pigmentation of the skin and sclera due to high bilirubin levels. Jaundice in adults is typically a sign indicating the presence of underlying diseases involving ...

. Doctors and other mandatory reporters are generally required to report suspected child abuse (including the use of chlorine dioxide enemas) to child protective services.

References

Alternative detoxification Autism pseudoscience Health fraud {{alt-med-stub