Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
I recieved an assortment of Burt's Bees products for X-mas.
I tried the bath and body oil with lemon and vitamin E last week and the next day woke up feeling like I got hit by a bus. So exhausted, too tired to chew food.
I just figured it was another day with Lyme.
But yesterday I used the oil again and this morning the same thing happened. Totally wiped-out.
It says it's 100% natural. Ingredients are sweet almond oil, lemon oil, vitiamin E, wheat germ oil, Rosemary, soybean oil, and canola oil.
Is it possible to herz from this ?
Posts: 2977 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2016
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Sorry that you got that "payback hit" for whatever reason. And sorry to say that it's very common to have this happen for a variety of reasons.
It's doubtful, though, that it's a herxheimer reaction. See the definition of a herx in this set as something from very specific anti-spirochetal agents.
Lyme can cause all kinds of feeling just awful that is not a herx, nevertheless -- often related to liver stress that is different than a herx.
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too. -
[ 01-16-2017, 07:12 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Now, though, as you will find time and time, again - over and over - throughout being ill and getting better, there will times when you will feel " like I got hit by a bus."
The term "herxheimer" is often over used for that "hit by a bus" experience that goes with so many other factors. Many find called that "PAYBACK" seems to hold a word for us.
Or, your Rx protocol might have zoomed up for an stronger herx reaction, too.
Sometimes, many times, you won't be able to connect dots and after a while it gets easier to just realize there are so many variables and just move along to manage your needs for that day.
Sometimes, you can figure it out. Other than a herx, it's often adrenal or chemical reaction related. Rosemary has a strong scent.
It might not be the oil at all, though. But, as you check it -- and so many things in the future - some considerations:
CHECK THE KIND OF OILS - are they real? Or are they synthetic? That's the first step. If any are synthetic, likely a chemical hit.
Oils can get old very fast, too. It there a date of manufacture on the bottle? Still, old oils could be an issue.
All the variables, though: Start with what you did the previous day. All the things that expend energy or experience exposures of various kinds.
Hot baths? If you applied this after a hot bath, that can be your answer as to what hit you. Hot baths can be very bad for those with lyme, or too long even somewhat too hot baths. Warm, cozy water for no more than 20 minutes is a good measure just to know.
Treatment, itself will just hit you here and there, even when things might be going relatively well.
Ingredients in this, though, are suspect. WHEAT GERM is certainly something I would avoid at all costs in any skin preparations. Even if on your skin, the gluten in it could trigger some issues for you.
soybean oil, and canola oil could also have farm chemicals. "Natural" does not mean it is free of such. That takes more homework. Burt's Bees is not the same as when it started so take a look at who owns it now and their practices at each step.
Check the freshness of the oil as well. And, with any scents - even from garden herbs and citrus - they can clobber as they are added to the mix if sensory stuff.
Go through your list of VARIABLES and you might have some clues as to what caused this reaction, even if it's not a herx. It does not take a herx to feel like a bus side swiped when you were not looking. -
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Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
Thanks.
Just to be on the safe side, I m not using it again.
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Even if a product is labeled as "natural" or even environmentally safe, that does mean it may not contain harsh ingredients.
Recently, after skin issues of many users, even Seventh Generation lost a class action lawsuit due to methyllisothiazolinone being in one of their products.
That's something that we do not want around our bodies, yet it's even in some baby wipes - as are other harsh ingredients that either slip by or just are not even on consumers' radar.
EWG is a fabulous tool and group to help us sort out questions.
See their section called SKIN DEEP, cosmetics & personal care -
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- Still, if you have any cause to think something you use is not working for you, it's always best to set it aside until further thought can be considered.
Even just the smell of it: For many with lyme - MCS becomes an issue. Multiple chemical sensitivities can make even okay products just clobber. And some scents can vary person to person.
For me, even a real piece of fresh lavender is the kiss of death and will cause a very hard payback of a full day usually - but citrus works well for me as it does for some with MCS -- just never synthetic, though.
And may you avoid the very harsh learning curve when buying "unscented" products. That's not as easy as it sounds but my hands are just screaming now so cannot elaborate. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Burt's Bees Body Oil - Skin Deep / EWG search - nine listings
- has a very good score with "limited data". The rosemary and lemon are real, not synthetic. That's good - unless still just too strong for you. Scroll down for ingredient & their individual scores.
If you are not going to try this again for awhile - or give it away - store in fridge until it's to be used again so the oils don't get rancid (although that is what the lemon and rosemary do, they are natural preservatives, still good to have oil in a cool place).
[ 01-17-2017, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- As you study up on the question of wheat germ oil, even topically, go to top organizations for those with CELIAC disease. For starters:
It is well known in the gluten free community that wheat free does not always mean gluten free. However, it is not as well known that gluten free does not always mean wheat free.
Recently, we have discovered several products labeled gluten free that contain wheat. After finding these products, our office decided to investigate further.
We found that in almost all of these “gluten free” products wheat germ oil was listed in the ingredients.
We wanted to know more; what was wheat germ oil, how could it be labeled gluten free, and was it harmful to celiacs and gluten sensitive individuals? . . .
. . . Typically, when wheat germ oil is used it has been refined. The refining process in theory removes all gluten proteins, and therefore would make wheat germ oil free of any gluten proteins.
Although it is likely to be a small amount it is possible for refined oils to contain trace amounts of gluten. . . .
[more at link above] -
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- In addition to citrus, mint is also often easier for those with MCS. As for other body lotion you might find of help:
This no longer has "fragrance free" on label - my current tube does say that so it may be a new label or formulation.
You can call ACURE offices with any questions. Even if a light scent of inherently fragrant ingredients, what I've been using has no scent to my tender nose.
This is thicker and takes longer to soak in. I rely on both of these at different times of day / for different skin parts. Alaffia is in the Seattle area so you can also call their company directly.
I find no scent to this one.
Sometimes, though, even if no added scents, the product can smell awful just from the smell of some ingredients such as argon oil. It helps to read customer reviews at vary vendor sites. -
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Keebler
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Member # 12673
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