What to Do During a PANS/PANDAS Flare
If you’re parenting a child with PANS or PANDAS, you know how suddenly things can shift. One moment your child seems okay, and the next they’re in a full-blown flare: overwhelmed by rage, obsessive thoughts, intense fear, isolation, or even hallucinations. It’s terrifying. And often, it feels like no one really knows what to do.
As a practitioner, I want to offer clarity, support, and some direction during these moments. Because there is something you can do and healing is possible.
Understanding a Flare: Inflammation in the Brain
At its core, a PANS or PANDAS flare is an inflammatory event. It’s often triggered by an infection, immune stressor, or environmental exposure that affects the brain. This inflammation can disrupt emotional regulation, behavior, sensory processing, and even speech.
Each child expresses this differently. One may become aggressive. Another may spiral into compulsive rituals. A third may suddenly stop speaking, retreating into silence or fear.
This is why individualized care is so essential.
Step One: Match the Remedy to the Child
During an active flare, the most important step is to work with a trained homeopath. Why? Because homeopathy treats the individual, not just the diagnosis. We carefully observe how your child is expressing their flare and match that to a remedy that mirrors their unique state.
When the right remedy is chosen, it acts like a gentle nudge to the body’s innate healing intelligence, helping to regulate inflammation, calm the nervous system, and bring your child back into balance.
Common Homeopathic Remedies Used During Flares:
Stramonium – For children with severe brain inflammation showing up as insomnia, aggression, dilated pupils, fear of water or animals, and head banging.
Lyssinum – Helpful for rage outbursts with dilated pupils and salivation; often used when tantrums or violence are extreme and sudden.
Syphilinum – Indicated in cases of intense OCD and deep-seated paranoia.
Hyoscyamus – Used when flares involve paranoia, anger, jealousy, and occasionally inappropriate or lewd behavior.
Belladonna – A classic remedy for acute brain inflammation with intense heat, redness, and heightened sensitivity.
Streptococcinum (Strep nosode) – Can be especially helpful in PANDAS cases to help a child exit a flare quickly and effectively.
Every remedy is selected based on your child’s entire presentation, not just their diagnosis.
Supporting the Body with Natural Anti-Inflammatories
While homeopathy is foundational in my approach, I often integrate naturopathic tools to help reduce neuroinflammation and support immune balance. These include:
Boswellia and Turmeric – Powerful anti-inflammatory herbs for both brain and body
SPM Active by Metagenics – A supplement that encourages resolution of inflammation
Gemmotherapy – Plant stem cell extracts in gentle dilution, often helpful in calming the nervous system and inflammation
Targeted naturopathic protocols – Including immune support, gut repair, and nervous system nourishment, personalized to your child’s unique needs
Used together, these therapies form a holistic strategy to help move your child out of the flare with greater ease and less suffering.
After the Flare: The Deeper Work Begins
The flare is the crisis moment. But once the storm passes, the real healing begins.
This is when we dive deeper to address root causes chronic infections like strep or Lyme, gut-brain axis imbalances, immune dysregulation, and environmental toxicity.
This phase is where we work to unwind the pattern that led to the flares in the first place. The goal isn’t just fewer flares—it’s full resolution, where the body no longer reacts in this intense way.
You’re Not Alone
I know how overwhelming this journey can feel the urgency, the confusion, and the heartbreak of watching your child suffer. But please know, you are not alone.
I support families through every phase of this healing process:
From calming the flare, to uncovering the root cause, to building a personalized plan for long-term recovery.
If your child is currently in a flare or if you're ready to begin the deeper work of healing I invite you to reach out.
Healing is possible. And support is here.
