Lyme Herx

[JenniferG]

Is there there a specific protocol for an Epsom Salt bath? My dd7 weighs 48lbs. If there is a difference, that means it was herxing? And it's Lyme? Or, can you "herx" with anything? Sorry, this is all new to me.

[LNN]

A Herxheimer reaction was originally used to describe a reaction caused by the release of biotoxins by dying spirochete bacteria - initially observed for syphilis and then expanded to other spirochetes, including lyme. But you often see it used in a more general sense on the forums to describe any reaction to a bacterial die-off (the scarletina rash known as scarlet fever is caused by dying strep bacteria releasing toxins that cause the rash).

 

In a herx reaction, you can see an escalation of the very symptoms you're trying to treat, so it's hard to determine if what you're seeing is a herx or if the treatment you've started is actually being ineffective. One "test" is to stop treatment for a day or two and see if symptoms start to resolve. If they do, then it was probably a herx. If you stay on the treatment without stopping, herxes "generally" last a few days to a few weeks, tho every individual is different. Because a herx is caused by a build up of toxins, the focus turns to detox as a way to rid the body of the toxins. But if that doesn't provide relief and symptoms are still causing a lot of distress, another option is to back off on the antibiotic or herb that's being used - either a lower dose or a pulse treatment where you take the treatment for a few days, then give the body a few days to clear toxins, then treatment again...

 

As for baths, I haven't come across a protocol. The directions on most containers says to add something like a cup to bath water. We've always just poured a generous amount in. I haven't found conclusive research to say whether these help, but a warm bath is comforting when you feel poorly, so in that sense, I suppose it's therapeutic. Personally, we've found other detox options more helpful.

[momaine]

My dd doesn't want to bathe but I had read in "The Lyme Disease Solution" that it was also a good idea to brush your skin with a brush to brush to remove dead skin and open up pores to allow toxins to pass out.

 

We combined these ideas and I had my dd rub epsom salts on her skin with a facecloth while she showers. The epsom salt is rough and would also help remove dead skin. On all three occasions that she did this, it was followed with a lyme rash, which is the toxins exiting the body through the skin.

 

Two of the times it was two days after Tindamax and she has had those rashes two days after Tindamax on a regular basis, so I didn't know if the epsom salt had helped or not. But the last time she did it was two days after her last rash (which was four days after Tindamax) and she got the rash again. It comes quickly, and leaves just as quickly. Dr. J has seen a picture of it and assured me it was from die off.