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Chlorine Dioxide & Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is one of the most common diseases, especially in North America and Europe. It is caused by a group of microorganisms called Borrelia species. Ticks are the main carriers of Lyme disease. They stick to the human skin, gradually invading the skin and entering into the bloodstream, leading to disease. These ticks can be found on the fur or skin of many animals and birds.

  1. The Symptoms of Lyme Disease

    • After the bite of a tick, the affected area shows a reddish appearance. After a week, this area swells and papules appear. The lesions are not confined to a specific area. Swelling occurs in different parts of the body, such as the armpits and groin. Flu-like feverish conditions along with body pain develop gradually. The lesions increase and spread to additional parts of the body. The disease ultimately affects the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. The onset of arthritis and the persistance of skin lesions are the final manifestation in most cases. The disease may persist for a considerable period of time.

    Prevention and Diagnosis

    • You should avoid places where ticks are prevalent. If you do frequent places where ticks are found, you should cover your body with adequate clothing. Vaccines are also available for protection against Lyme disease. In the event you exhibit symptoms of Lyme disease, immediate diagnosis should be done. The central instrument in diagnosis is via laboratory findings from a blood culture. Polymerase chain reaction is also producing reliable results in the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

    Treatment with Chlorine Dioxide

    • Chlorine dioxide plays a very important role in preventing the spread of Lyme disease. It is a strong antiseptic effective against many microorganisms. In Lyme disease, many lesions are likely to appear on different areas of the skin. Pathogenic bacteria or other microorganisms may lodge there and can initiate secondary infection. Chlorine dioxide protects the patient against these infections by providing a protective layer of sterility on the affected parts.

    Mode of Application of Chlorine Dioxide

    • Chlorine dioxide is mainly available in three forms. It can be used as a solution, ointment or soap. Chlorine dioxide must be applied to the skin very gently; otherwise, rupturing the lesion can occur. The molecules of chlorine dioxide are skin friendly and cases of skin sensitivity or irritation do not take place in the majority of patients.

    Limitation of Chlorine Dioxide

    • Chlorine dioxide provides protection to broad areas of the skin but its penetration level is limited. It is used as the primary disinfectant in treating lesions caused by Lyme disease. Many physicians use the compound as a co-therapy along with antimicrobial treatment to obtain more effective results. Hence, although chlorine dioxide provides good treatment for the cure of Lyme disease, it cannot be relied on as the sole remedy.

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