The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Side Effects
Posted by Patti (Indianapolis, IN, USA) on 08/05/2024
I started the first few days with 1/2 tsp. of DE. On day 3 I went pontooning and got a bad sunburn on my back and shoulders. At the same time I upped my DE dose to 1 tsp and then after a week to 2 tsps. per day. Meanwhile my sunburn peeled and after about 1-2 weeks I got uncontrollable itching on the burned areas. Different products gave me temporary relief. I learned to make a natural antihistamine which helped a lot. Upon research I learned that some people get 'Hell's itch' after a sunburn that can last for months so I didn't research any further and continued with my DE dose at 2 tsps. daily. Finally, 5 weeks since pontooning, I was noticing bumps on the itchy areas and my scalp started itching all over. This was the first time it dawned on me that I was experiencing an allergic reaction to something. I stopped using the DE and the itch started abating gradually over the next few days. I probably won't try DE again even at a small dose. Also I was giving my 8 lb. doggy 1/2 tsp. in her food daily with added pure water and, after a few weeks, when she vomited 2 days in-a-row I took her off of it. I will use my DE for bugs in my basement instead of the boric acid that is not good to use around pets.
Side Effects
Posted by Elizabeth (PA) on 08/30/2023
I just started taking DE . I began with a 2 tsp was way too much, caused watery diarrhea. I dropped to 1/8 tsp and still same result. Will this eventually stop? I had to stop taking it because not conducive with work lol. Maybe take less than 1/8 tsp? Or is there an alternative not so strong?
Side Effects
Posted by Susan (NC) on 08/05/2023
I was just diagnosed with having a tapeworm so part of the protocol was to take diatomaceous earth. I have been taking it for about a week and I'm not sure if this is the problem but it is causing diarrhea. Part of my digestive issues is Lou spells anyway, so I don't know if this is part of the digestive issues or part of taking diatomaceous earth but normally I don't have it every day and I'm having it every day.
Side Effects
Posted by Vanessa (London, UK) on 02/13/2023
I have been taking a teaspoon of DE in the morning for nearly two months. It causes severe constipation. The only way to relieve it is when I stop taking it. I'm drinking lots of water but it makes no difference. Also, haven't seen any improvement in my nails?
Side Effects
Posted by Dawn (IN) on 03/07/2022
Every time I start using Diatomaceous earth in my morning water, my sinuses act like I've got allergies, I get stopped up and so nasally, I've read its part of the detox process How long does it last? It's so annoying having to keep blowing my nose. Am I allergic? I really want to grow my hair thicker its been shedding since I had covid, I did not get the vax either. This is so frustrating.
Side Effects
Posted by Juliana (Edmonton ) on 01/02/2022
Hi,
I started to use about a month + ago Diatomaceous earth powder from the health food store. I noticed immediate help with my sleep and less running to the bathroom at night. However, it gave me 9 out of 10 pain in my both hands as they became very swollen. I couldn't hold the tooth brush or comb my hair. I was devastated. Yesterday I started to take the antibiotics for chronic bronchitis and today the inflammation of the hands stopped.I am not sure why Bronchities antibiotic would help with inflammation of my fingers
.I started DE with 1/4 tea spoon first 2 weeks, then increased to a half teaspoon and then 1 teaspoon.
Now I am back to 1/4 in the morning and the evening. I saw on this website some people had pain in their hands like me..I have been struggling with osteoarthritis which never bothered me badly before. Thank you.
Side Effects
Posted by Jeani (Lubbock, Tx) on 08/06/2018
Diatomaceous earth-I started taking 3 days ago to lower cholesterol. The first day I took 1 tablespoon. Felt terrible; headache, dizzy, ears stopped up etc. The Second day took 1/2 teaspoon twice. Felt bad again.
Today I've taken 1/2 teaspoon and won't take anymore. Still feel dizzy, ears feel stopped up etc. And I seem to be getting ear wax coming out of my ears! Is this normal? Can anyone help me, please?
Side Effects
Posted by Pam (Mesa, Az) on 10/29/2017
After drinking diatemaceous earth for the first time I immediately have a metallic taste in my mouth...is this from the DE?
Side Effects
Posted by Cassie (Fl) on 08/25/2017
Diatomaceous earth definitely did not go well with me.
I'm currently having a really bad reaction to it...I can hardly breathe....then again the reason I'm using it instead of harsh chemicals is because I have auto immune disease and MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity)....I don't know what to use anymore... anyway I've read great things about this stuff like it can be used to detox yourself...the I read something about the cancer society considering it a caricogenic that can cause lung cancer if used too long or if your body respiratory system is already weak.....
Side Effects
Posted by Tassi (Berkeley, Ca) on 01/24/2017
I have been buying and using diatomaceous earth since about 1990, with great results for getting rid of fleas, mites, etc. I also have tried taking it internally over the years, with no results I could discern, so I never kept it up longer than a few weeks at a time. I gave it another try recently that turned out not so great -- perhaps being considerably older now has something to do with it, body is more fragile in general than it used to be, and my intestines are not in great shape. I took it (food grade of course) because I was having severe diarrhea (which I eventually figured out was caused by taking Concentrace trace minerals) -- and the DE did help with that issue.
I was happy and planned to keep taking it indefinitely, just on general principles and its good reputation (plus having just bought a giant bagfull). I think I took it, working up to 1 T twice a day, for about 3+ weeks, but then I started having twinges of pain in the intestinal area, on the lower right side, then on the left side as well. This was scary. I happened to have this book from the library (see excerpt quoted below), and based on its advice I quit taking the DE plus started a regimen of vigorous daily exercise to "shake loose the guts" (10-20 squats and full prostrations) and that seems to have worked, there are no more pains after several weeks now.
below is excerpted from book: Medical Medium, by Anthony William, p. 251 re Diatomaceous Earth:
it doesn't do a single useful thing for your gut. it can actually be quite dangerous for your health, if you're sensitive and have a health condition.
Diatomite clings tenaciously to the sides of your intestinal tract and colon, and severely interferes with their ability to absorb nutrients from yr food.... damages yr hydrochloric acid and kills good bacteria..... followed by long-lasting gastric spasms and pain.
It can take months to shake loose from your intestinal tract.
Side Effects
Posted by Kelly (Nashville, Tn) on 03/24/2016
I have been using the food grade DE for about 2 1/2 weeks. I noticed the complete opposite from what I keep reading everyone else's experienses. My nails are more brittle, no difference in hair and I am breaking out. (Which I am not prone to). I know everyone's body is different but I am not sure why I have not gotten any positive results yet. Has anyone else gotten negative or no results?
Side Effects
Posted by Seven6 (United Kingdom) on 10/21/2014
Hello , I started to use diatomaceous earth now for 5 days and I'm already noticing headache, pain in the eyes and dry cough. I am sure that diatomaceous earth caused it , I have to inform that I'm useing only freshwater food grade level spoon per day, and I never inhaled it, but these symphtoms really scared me, has any one experieced any thing like it ? and if so what could caused it ? and why ?
Side Effects
Posted by Autumn (Louisville, Ky) on 06/13/2014
I am on my 9th day of taking Food Grade DE. I worked up from 1 tsp daily to now, 1 Tbs daily. At first I was constipated but now that, that has passed, I am running to the bathroom all day (since last night) and my stomach is making some VERY loud noises, which is not normal for me. I am just wondering if this could be caused from the 'die off' somehow. I have slowed down going to the bathroom tonight but the noises that my stomach is making are constant. Is this normal? It's not scary or anything just weird. Thanks for any help!!
Side Effects
Posted by Cat (Tauranga, New Zealand) on 09/30/2012
Has anyone else noticed their bowel motions change to the point of not wanting to go for a few days at a time upon first taking DE? Along with this no bowel motion comes of course, a bloated stomach which is very uncomfortable. I still eat good food and naturally drink lots of water because of the DE but does this stuff clog up your system as well as benefit you in other ways? I'm sure it'll come right but how do I kick start myself again? Anyway, I have noticed my notoriously weak fingernails take off in the last few days but then again, we're into spring now and heading for summer so it may just be the winter respite is over and like all things, they are blooming again! *Food grade DE of course*
