Herxheimer Reaction

If you are already familiar with the concept of a "Healing Crisis" then you already know what the Herxheimer Reaction is.

The Jarisch -Herxheimer or Herxheimer reaction was named for the German dermatologist, Karl Herxheimer (1844-1947).

Dorlands Medical Dictionary defines the Herxheimer reaction as a transient, short-term, immunological reaction commonly seen following antibiotic treatment of early and later stage syphilis and other diseases which is manifested by fever, chills, headache, myalgias (muscle pain), and exacerbations of cutaneous lesions.

The reaction has been attributed to liberation of endotoxins-like substances or of antigens (a substance which causes an immune reaction) from the killed or dying microorganisms.

Simply stated, it is a reaction that occurs when the body is detoxifying and the released toxins either exacerbate the symptoms being treated or create their own symptoms such as headaches, body ache, joint pain, sweating, general malaise, sore throat, nausea and or / flu like symptoms.

The reaction is caused by an immune system reaction to the toxins (endotoxins) that are released when large amounts of pathogens are being killed off and the body does not eliminate the toxins quick enough.

History

The phenomenon was first described by dermatologist Jarish Adolf Herxheimer (1860-1902) working in Vienna, Austria, and a few years later by his brother Karl Herxheimer (1861-1942), also a dermatologist, working in Frankfurt Germany.

Technically known as the Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction, the syndrome is most often referred to as Herxheimers Reaction or the Herxheimer Effect, and is also called "Herx" or "Herks" for short. It is also known as die-off syndrome, a detox reaction or a healing crisis.

The Herxheimer brothers ( who were many treating syphilitic lesions of the skin) noticed that in response to treatment, many patients developed not only fever, perspiration, night sweats, nausea and vomiting, but their skin lesions became larger and more inflamed before settling down and healing. Interestingly, they found that those who had the most extreme reactions, healed best and fastest. The patient might be ill for 2-3 days, but then their lesions resolved.

Although the experience may not feel particularly good, the Herxheimer Reaction is actually a sign that healing is taking place.