Taco Bell lettuce linked to parasite—experts share surprising relief tip
A growing cyclospora outbreak tied to lettuce has people searching for relief. Gastroenterologists weigh in on symptoms—and if a bidet can help.
Trisha Easto- An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection causing explosive diarrhea, has been linked to lettuce from Taylor Farms.
- Gastroenterologists recommend bidets to reduce skin irritation from frequent wiping associated with diarrhea.
- A bidet does not prevent infection but can help with comfort and hygiene during recovery.
Health officials say they may have identified the source of cyclosporiasis, the a fast‑spreading illness causing severe, sometimes “explosive” diarrhea across the U.S.—and it’s raising new questions about how to manage symptoms at home.
The outbreak, now reported in 34 states, has been linked to cyclospora, a parasite connected to contaminated lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, including shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell. The chain has since pulled lettuce from some locations, but symptoms can take up to two weeks to appear, meaning more cases could still emerge.
Cyclosporiasis can trigger frequent watery diarrhea, nausea, cramping, bloating and fatigue, often lasting longer than typical stomach bugs. Doctors say prescription antibiotics are often needed—but many people are also looking for ways to ease the painful side effects, especially skin irritation from frequent bathroom trips.
From washing your produce to staying hydrated with electrolytes, you can lessen your risk and manage dehydration. But, can a bidet help? The USA TODAY Shopping team asked gastroenterologists for their expertise.
Doctors say bidets may help relieve irritation during diarrhea
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If you’re dealing with frequent symptoms, doctors say small changes—like switching how you clean the area—can help reduce irritation and speed healing.
Why wiping can make symptoms worse—and how bidets help
"Frequent loose stools are highly acidic and packed with active digestive enzymes. When these sit on the delicate skin surrounding the anus, they rapidly digest the skin barrier, causing severe irritation, micro-tears, and raw, denuded skin," said Yale-trained gastroenterologist Dr. Savita Srivastava.
"Using dry toilet paper on this irritated skin is like rubbing sandpaper on the broken skin. It's an insult to injury. A bidet replaces the harsh mechanical friction of dry paper with gentle fluid dynamics, cleaning the area thoroughly without stripping the skin's natural protective barrier."
Dr. Edmundo Rodriguez-Frias, MD is a board-certified gastroenterologist who also recommended the use of luke warm water and patting dry instead of wiping.
"Lukewarm water is generally much easier on the skin compared to wiping due to its lack of friction, making the healing process better," Dr. Rodriguez said. "Pat drying instead of rubbing vigorously will also aid in faster healing of the anal area."
Can a bidet actually help with cyclosporiasis symptoms?
"A bidet is a gamechanger for cyclosporiasis patients simply because of the sheer volume of bowel movements over a longer period of time," said Dr. Srivastava. "It offers continuous, touch-free hygiene that prevents the painful skin breakdown, bleeding, and hemorrhoidal flare-ups that accompany chronic wiping."
Both gastroenterologists were clear that a bidet cannot prevent any infection, including cyclospora. The use is for your comfort.
"The main scientifically supported advantages of using a bidet include comfort, more gentle cleaning, and less skin irritation," Dr. Rodriguez said. "Prevention of infection continues to depend on proper hand washing, proper disinfection of all contact surfaces, and remaining at home until no longer infectious."
But, there is a secondary benefit, according to Dr. Srivastava.
"Using a bidet drastically reduces the amount of direct contact your hands and fingernails have with fecal matter compared to toilet paper. Less fecal matter on your hands means less risk of transferring pathogenic microbes from hand-to-mouth," Dr. Srivastava said.
"While it sounds gross, most GI infections occur through a transmission route referred to as 'fecal oral' transmission. With bidets, this transmission route is disrupted, and there is no fecal matter on hand to make it over to your mouth."
More tips to help you recover from diarrhea
Both Dr. Srivastava and Dr. Rodriguez said there are several other things they recommend to their patients when it comes to diarrhea recovery.
"The first is barrier cream to protect the skin in the perianal region. Do not wait for the skin to get raw," Dr. Srivastava said. "At the very first loose stool, apply a thick barrier cream containing zinc oxide (like Desitin or Calmoseptine or Butt Paste) or a heavy dimethicone cream to the perianal area. This acts as a physical shield, blocking acidic digestive enzymes and fecal matter from contacting the skin."
If you're already experiencing the burning side effects of irritation caused by overwiping, there's more you can do.
"If the area is already burning, tucking a pad soaked in witch hazel against the area for a few minutes provides instant, anti-inflammatory relief to swollen blood vessels and irritated skin," Dr. Srivastava said.
Dr. Rodriguez also recommended soft clothing and flushable wipes, but with some stipulations.
"Cleansing wipes that are fragrance free and alcohol free can also provide assistance if you don’t have access to a bidet," Dr. Rodriguez said. "These types of wipes should never substitute hand washing, and flushing them down the toilet should only occur where you have confirmed with your local sanitation department that your plumbing system can handle."
What is cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite. Over the last several weeks, more reports of what the CDC describes as “explosive diarrhea” have emerged.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration reports that people become infected when they consume food or water contaminated with the cyclospora parasite. The contamination often originates from human fecal matter that enters agricultural water supplies or food production systems. Direct person-to-person transmission is considered unlikely because the parasite must mature in the environment before it becomes infectious.
Cyclosporiasis is commonly treated with a prescription antibiotic but according to Anil Sharma, M.D., an associate professor in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition at the University of Florida College of Medicine:
“You have to treat this infection with an antibiotic and there is a special antibiotic called Bactrim DS. Unless you get a stool test, specifically a GI pathogen panel and it comes back positive, a doctor will not know how to treat it. Without the test, it could be viewed as bacterial or viral diarrhea.”
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Dr. Coffman emphasized the importance of recognizing the symptoms of cyclosporiasis. "Symptoms of infection most often include frequent watery diarrhea that persists for more than a few days. If you are feeling unwell, contact your healthcare provider. If needed, they may prescribe antibiotics, which can reduce the length of illness and prevent it from reoccurring."
The most common symptom is watery, frequent and sometimes "explosive" diarrhea, according to the CDC and Cleveland Clinic, though other stomach troubles can include:
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating, including burping, gas or stomach cramps
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY; Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press; Sara Moniuszko, USA TODAY
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