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Epson Salt Bath and Itching

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Posted 11/1/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I would like some feedback...I have starting to do the body brushing and epson salt baths for a couple of weeks. I am now doing them about every other day. I have hit a problem, that I would like your feedback about.

I can be sensitive to things, so I started with a small amount, like 1 cup of the epson salt and have gradually gone up on the amount I put in the water. Side note: I have not been adding the peroxide yet. From the beginning of doing the bath, I have had slight all over body itching after the bath. Last night, I put in 2 cups of epson salts. while in the bath and after I got out of the bath, I was really itching. I am still having the itching today, not quite as bad, but still here. Can someone be allergic to the epson salt? Has anyone had this experience and what have they done? I am using the espon salt that is magnesium sulfate. Also, I have noticed that my skin has seemed to change texture lately, very dry and like crepe paper, does the epson draw the moisture out of your skin? I am showering off after the bath, not using a soap and using a good lotion. Any ideas or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone,

Tammy50

Posted 11/1/2013 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tammy,
Yes, the Epsom salts can dry your skin, but the crepe paper look is due to chronic Lyme most likely. You can look up Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans - also known as ACA. Here is one site with pictures of it:
/sites.google.com/site/drjoneskids/rash-photos

We have one member here that I know has said she is allergic to Epsom Salt and she has told me that her symptoms were itching, hives, redness, burning sensation. She mentioned that someone can be allergic to the sulfate that is in Epsom salts.

You might want to find another bath salt to use. I believe the member with the known allergy uses Pink Himalayan salt in her bath.
Posted 11/2/2013 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yep! Sounds like an allergic reaction. That member is me! I can't do Epsom salt baths so I use sea salt or Himalayan Pink Sea Salt
Posted 8/24/2014 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
I'm having exact same problem. I've soaked in epsom salts before and never had a problem until now. I think that we just got some from a bad batch, because epsom salts are harvested out of the sea that is exposed to all sorts of things, and you never know exactly what different types of things got infused with the package of salts you obtained. Not meaning it is contaminated, but meaning it may have something in it that wasn't tested for, yet you later learn it is something you're obviously allergic to.

That and after I got to thinking about it, 'Dove' soap has irritated me before in the past. Just never to this degree. I'm thinking it is possible the same irritants in the soap got infused into my skin via the epsom salts, and created an undesirable reaction. Epsom salts dissolve into the skin, the longer you soak in it, and it naturally penetrates at a higher rate than a lot of other things, obviously. Or else we wouldn't be soaking in it for health benefits.

It could be the brand of epsom salts we used as well. There may have been some sort of exposure it took in while being developed through the packaging or transporting process. Also, that particular brand might harvest their salts from a part of the sea that contains something that our body doesn't desire.
Posted 8/24/2014 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Consider also if you have chlorine or fluoride in your tap water, you may need to get a filter to remove those for bathing... If I were you, I'd try a foot bath by heating up some filtered water on the stove, letting it cool to a comfortable temp, adding a small amount of Epsom salts or baking soda, then soaking your feet in it.
Posted 8/24/2014 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tammy,

Razzle has a good point... Lots of water contain fluoride or chlorine. Also, what product do you use to clean your tub? I once posted an article that stated if you can't eat it then you shouldn't use it. I use straight hydrogen peroxide to wash my tub.

Most articles state that Epsom salts are used to stop itching so I really don't know... After my detox bath my skin feels softer. You may want to switch to a good quality Sea Salt like the ones listed below:

www.saltworks.us/salt_info/epsom-uses-benefits.asp

Below are some interesting links:

www.cleanse-me-healthy.com/DetoxBath.html

health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/problems/treating/epsom-salt-baths1.htm

www.amazon.com/Epsoak-Epsom-Salt-19-75-Lbs/dp/B004N7DQHA

Hope this helps!
Denise
Posted 8/25/2014 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Our water has both fluoride and chlorine in it. Maybe that's why when I herx I'm not able to detox effectively with the baths....

So, I'm wondering if I draw the bath, and wait 10 minutes or so, if most of the chlorine will be dissapated?
Posted 8/25/2014 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Takes longer than 10 min. for chlorine to dissipate, and some water utilities are using chloramine, which I don't think evaporates...

Best to get a filter...
Posted 8/25/2014 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Razzle - would a regular carbon filter remove chlorine and fluoride?
I'm wondering if it's possible to put a filter on where the water enters the house...so that all our water is filtered, rather than just at the one tub.
I don't know much about these things - excuse the ignorance... confused
Posted 8/29/2014 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
When I take a bath (especially an epsom salt bath) I get like a prickly itch all over but mostly on my head and upper back. It goes away after I get out though. I read that someone said the prickling means the bacteria are leaving the body but I am not sure if that is true. I always thought it was just from sweating because when I am outside in 90-115 degree weather and start sweating I feel itchy and prickly all over my body. So maybe the itching you are feeling is from your pores opening and sweating? I am really not sure, sorry :/ Or maybe your skin is just detoxing and the itching will go away in time?

about the dryness and skin texture, I have not experienced that. My skin is actually much softer and way less dry since I started taking regular epsom salt baths. My hands used to be so dry that my skin would break off in little chunks and bleed but now they are totally soft and normal.

I too always shower off after epsom salt baths. And I use Indigo Wild zum bar honey lavender soap.

You could maybe try using magnesium bath flakes instead of epsom salt. I bought some but I have not used it yet. The brand I have is "Ancient Minerals". Someone recommended it to me. It might have been mygutsy.com who recommended it but I am not sure. I am not sure if the bath flakes detox the same as epsom salt. Maybe try calcium bentonite clay detox baths? I get my clay from Living Clay co.

about the water filters, I use a filter from crystal quest. I use the shower filter in the bath. My dad rigged it up to where the shower filter is on the bath faucet. The bath filter was no good. There are whole house filters but they are I think like over $2,000. I think mommypotamus.com has water filter information on her blog.
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