Healingwell Lyme Forum (2025)

FAQs

How do you break up a biofilm for Lyme disease? ›

The only way to effectively combat a biofilm is to “pop the bubble” and disperse it. There are two major ways to do that: (1) using mechanical force to scrape it off (similar to a teeth cleaning), or (2) tricking the cells into dispersing themselves.

Larvae to Nymph

Most cases of Lyme disease are reported from May through August, which corresponds to the peak activity period for nymphs. This suggests that the majority of Lyme disease cases are transmitted by nymphal deer ticks.

Only a positive Western blot test can confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease. For many people, the ELISA test remains positive, even after they have been treated for Lyme disease and no longer have symptoms.

Used appropriately, the Western blot test is designed to be “specific,” meaning that it will usually be positive only if a person has been truly infected by B. burgdorferi. If the Western blot is negative, it suggests that the ELISA test was a false positive.

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid in addition to other acids, vitamins, and minerals. It is also shown to break down biofilms [4].

While there are a number of different solutions and application methods that can be used for biofilm removal, we recommend using a solution of hot water and a chlorinated alkaline cleaner as the best way to treat equipment and flooring.

Although Lyme disease is a year-round problem, April through October is considered tick season. Cases of Lyme disease have been reported in nearly all states in the U.S. and in large areas in Europe and Asia, but the most common areas are the Northeast, upper Midwest and northwestern states.

The initial treatment duration of doxycycline for early-stage Lyme disease may last 10–14 days . The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases indicates that this short course of antibiotics is enough to cure the majority of cases.

Yes, opossums are one of the top predators for ticks and kill more than 90 percent of the ticks they encounter. Not only are opossums really good at removing ticks, they can also eat up to 5,000 ticks per season.

Symptoms. Neurological complications most often occur in early disseminated Lyme disease, with numbness, pain, weakness, facial palsy/droop (paralysis of the facial muscles), visual disturbances, and meningitis symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, and severe headache.

What is the gold standard test for Lyme disease? ›

The CDC recommends that doctors first order an ELISA to screen for Lyme disease and then confirm Lyme disease with a Western blot. During the first four-to-six weeks of Lyme infection, these Lyme disease tests are unreliable because most people have not yet developed the antibody response that the test measures.

Early symptoms of Lyme disease usually happen within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. This stage of disease has a limited set of symptoms. This is called early localized disease.

Only a positive Western blot test can confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease. For many people, the ELISA test remains positive, even after they have been treated for Lyme disease and no longer have symptoms.

These antibody tests have poor sensitivity in early Lyme disease (35-50%) and inadequate sensitivity in some of the later stages of Lyme disease (e.g, 75-89% in neurologic Lyme disease).

The most common blood tests for Lyme disease are insensitive in the very beginning stages of the infection. During later stages of infection, the traditional western blot test improves the specificity of the diagnosis , but it too may lack both sensitivity and specificity in early infection.

Incorporating an alkaline cleaner or detergent improves the effectiveness of biofilm removal compared to cleaning with bleach alone. Bleach used at concentrations suitable for food contact surfaces does have some efficacy on thermophilic bacilli and similar biofilms, although efficacy may be intermittent.

Natural biofilm disruptors such as phytochemicals, herbs and foods like garlic and kale, showcase promising capabilities in reducing biofilm growth and addressing related health challenges.

Bacteriophages or phages, are viruses that infect bacterial cells with high specificity. They are the dominant biological entities in the planet and those phages with virulent or lytic to bacteria are also capable of infecting and destroying biofilm-forming bacteria.

Removing biofilms can be difficult due to the sticky protective nature of the biofilm matrix. Antibiotics, disinfectants, and mechanical removal methods are commonly used to remove biofilms and fight off associated infections.