Dreaded Keto Rash
JessicaLCHF
Posts: 1,265 Member
Ack, I believe about a week into ketosis, this time I got the dreaded keto rash. Never had it before but it sounds and acts just like all the reading up I've been doing all morning. Any tips that work for this incredibly itchy rash? So far I'm trying to over moisturize it.
After my morning reading I might try lemon juice, coconut oil and selsun blue (dandruff shampoo) as well. I do think it's related to candida die-off, but that's my opinion. Lots of conflicting info out there! I'm also taking a strong probiotic tho some ppl say it helps and others that it makes it worse.
Number one defense: forcing myself not to scratch which is very difficult. Started on the nape of my neck, has since popped up all over except below the knee nor on my face. I even have itchy bumps on the palms of my hands. Thankful it's not on my face tho.
After my morning reading I might try lemon juice, coconut oil and selsun blue (dandruff shampoo) as well. I do think it's related to candida die-off, but that's my opinion. Lots of conflicting info out there! I'm also taking a strong probiotic tho some ppl say it helps and others that it makes it worse.
Number one defense: forcing myself not to scratch which is very difficult. Started on the nape of my neck, has since popped up all over except below the knee nor on my face. I even have itchy bumps on the palms of my hands. Thankful it's not on my face tho.
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Lots of water, and don't forget the extra sodium! Magnesium is needed too! Epsom salt baths can help!0
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I'm taking magnesium (400) twice a day due to being low already. I'll add Epsom foot baths tho, good idea!0
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Yes, tons of water. Trying to flush my system. Some of what I've read suggests a kidney connection. My thought is its toxins coming through the sweat glands.0
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Take a good look at the whites of your eyes and make sure you do not have jaundice. Get other health issues ruled out first, especially if you have a trusted doc.
That being said, try ice or cool cloth to the itchy areas. Ice can help the itching on the palms and warm spots. Try a glycerin free moisturizer. Glycerin based lotions can irritate the "open" or irritated skin.0 -
Can't get to doc till end of the month. Until then I'm trying: Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, coconut oil applied. I'm taking: probiotics. I'm bathing: with Epsom salts and selsun blue shampoo. Also drinking lots of water.
So far things that don't help at all after a week are: steroid creams and antihistamines0 -
No jaundice, tho.0
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oh I'm so sorry your dealing with that
I've never had it when in keto, I do get a burning ammonia smell in my nose though in keto which really sucks too. I usually bring myself out of keto to lessen that as I haven't been able to go long enough to see if it clears up on its own after I adapt. good luck! 0 -
There's a keto rash??! What is it, and does it go away? I have a dry patch on my lip that just won't quit. Now that I think about it, I had a rash on my neck that I thought was from being allergic to my hairdresser's shampoo.0
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Imo, our bodies rid themselves of toxins any way they can, and through the skin is a major route! Then, the longer we avoid those toxins, it gets better. I am finding this is a process that takes some time. Plus, continued consumption of some hard to avoid toxins (nitrates, gmos, pesticides....) can continue the issue. I haven't figured out an economical way to avoid all toxins, yet!
This is just my opinion, not based on any actual science! Lol!0 -
I've been reading up on the keto rash, and dry, peeling lips and skin. It sounds like no one really knows what causes them, other than that they're associated with ketogenic diets, no one knows how to get rid of them, other than eating more carbs, and they can last a long time.
I've read that potassium helps, and no, that was not from a reliable source. I've read that it's some type of yeast imbalance in hair follicles, not from a reliable source. I've read that selenium helps. I've read that someone got rid of it when she gave up aspartame and ace-k. Oy vey.
I'm going to try taking a good multi vitamin for a while to see if that helps. If it does, maybe something is missing from my diet that I could increase without going higher carb. My dry skin is really bothering me.0 -
More possibilities: vitamin A and C deficiencies can cause red bumps and dry skin, and those are things I got more of when I ate more raw fruit and winter squash. Avocados have C, and don't need to be cooked, while leafy greens have beta-carotene, which is more accessible when cooked.0
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It could be associated with the water loss and perhaps being less hydrated overall than what might be typical for you since carbs tend to come with water retention.
It's not the same rash of course, but my Dad duffers from terrible rashes from Agent Orange exposure and it recently became very bad when he was dehydrated and had very low sodium.
I put him on sodium chloride tablets for his low blood pressure (since his doctors were doing nothing) and also magnesium (SloMag) and his rash began to improve in less than 24 hours simply because of being better hydrated.
Maybe that could at least help a little for you, assuming you're not already taking supplements. If you are, I'd consider increasing the dose.0 -
lithezebra wrote: »I've been reading up on the keto rash, and dry, peeling lips and skin. It sounds like no one really knows what causes them, other than that they're associated with ketogenic diets, no one knows how to get rid of them, other than eating more carbs, and they can last a long time.
I've read that potassium helps, and no, that was not from a reliable source. I've read that it's some type of yeast imbalance in hair follicles, not from a reliable source. I've read that selenium helps. I've read that someone got rid of it when she gave up aspartame and ace-k. Oy vey.
I'm going to try taking a good multi vitamin for a while to see if that helps. If it does, maybe something is missing from my diet that I could increase without going higher carb. My dry skin is really bothering me.
Exactly. It's a lot of "that's not possible" and "but I have it" online. Over moisturizing is really seeming to help.0 -
It's most likely dry skin, especially if you're middle age or older. Low carb tends to make you secrete excess water. As you age the total amount of water in your body decreases, which is why old people have such a problem with dry skin. Add in the diuretic effect of a low carb diet and you very easily can end up with extra dry skin. The key is to stay hydrated, get plenty of sodium (not for the rash, but because sodium is also secreted with the excess water) and use plenty of moisturizer.0
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It's much more than dry skin. It's red, raised, bumps and incredibly itchy. It almost looks like poison ivy in some places, like on my palms and fingers. In others it looks like 1,000 mosquito bites. I'm familiar with dry skin (have hashimotos) and neurodermititis (which react well to steroids, and is scaly, this does neither).
The worse part is the itchiness. Apple cider vinegar cut half half with water is helping. I'll attach a photo if I can.0 -
Any dryness could be making it worse though... As was the case with my dad as I mentioned. So, not the cause, but one way to maybe get some relief at least. If you think dryness at any level is possible, that is. Just something to consider as you wait for it to heal up.0
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FWIW, my stubborn patch of lip peeling has eased up since I took a multi-vitamin yesterday. I can't say that a nutritional deficiency is the cause, but I'm definitely trying to diversify my diet and get more vegetables, vitamin C, vitamin A, and, yes, liver.0
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JessicaLCHF wrote: »
It's much more than dry skin. It's red, raised, bumps and incredibly itchy. It almost looks like poison ivy in some places, like on my palms and fingers. In others it looks like 1,000 mosquito bites. I'm familiar with dry skin (have hashimotos) and neurodermititis (which react well to steroids, and is scaly, this does neither).
The worse part is the itchiness. Apple cider vinegar cut half half with water is helping. I'll attach a photo if I can.
That's what I had on my neck, and now behind a knee, although mine responds well to Benadryl cream applied topically. In my case, it could be poison oak, which I get at least a mild case of every time my husband goes hiking.0 -
I wish mine did. Nothing has helped so far but I just started the ACV today so maybe it will. Antihistamines and Benadryl do nothing. Steroid cream does nothing. Theives oil didn't work.
I'm hoping ACV and coconut oil will do the trick.0 -
Well that stinks because mine is on my face and if it doesn't go away easily that's going to suck! I may not be able to continue LCHF at this rate. I'm very self conscious when it comes to my face. I've finally gotten better with acne and now just to add in a rash? Crap. *sigh*0
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jrloveless wrote: »Well that stinks because mine is on my face and if it doesn't go away easily that's going to suck! I may not be able to continue LCHF at this rate. I'm very self conscious when it comes to my face. I've finally gotten better with acne and now just to add in a rash? Crap. *sigh*
It might not be the keto. I'd try the usual remedies before you give up, and also take a multivitamin.0 -
The diet is the only change that could be possible for it that I am aware of. I have been taking the same pills and vitamins for at least several months. I take BC, osteo biflex, caltrate 600-D (vitamin D inefficiency), multi-vitamin, a muscle relaxer, a nerve pain med (1x a day), and Aleve if needed. These have all been part of my daily regime for at least five months if not longer. We're still using the same detergents and soaps in the house. The keto diet is the only thing I can think is different. I don't think I'm drinking enough water. Trying to change that though since this started. I took an antihistamine and the itching stopped though.0
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jrloveless wrote: »I took an antihistamine and the itching stopped though.
You could be allergic to something. It's hard to track down allergies. My (possibly) keto rash/dry skin seems to have cleared up and stayed that way since I started taking a multivitamin.
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Please be careful with a rash with unknown origins. Last summer, my hands turned red and itched like crazy, as did my feet. I wasn't on any kind of diet and hadn't eaten yet, no changes in soaps or detergents. Within an hour my lips and eye lids had swollen and I couldn't breathe. My husband rushed me to the ER where I collapsed before I made it in the door (embarrassing! I passed out in a full waiting room) what started as itching turned into anaphylactic shock. I had another episode less than 10 days later and never did figure out what had caused it. I'm not saying that's what it is, but if you experience any facial swelling, go to the ER and don't wait. I have to carry epi pens now, but really they only buy you time.0
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My husband suffers from candida / yeast type rash all over his body (he feeds it with tons of white bread, starch, and sugar....he won't listen to me
.) It is not supposed to be contagious, but I've gotten a tiny patch on my rib cage about 3 times (I've noticed it's where my skin touches his skin when we sleep). I haven't paid enough attention to guess if it's diet related, BUT I hadn't had a problem in the 7 years he's had it until I went on LCHF originally 5-6 months ago. I've been on and off the wagon and will pay more attention to see if there's a correlation).
It clears right up with this: Before bathing, rub baking soda over the rash and exfoliate. Take a bath in warm/hot (not steaming hot) water with ACV (2 Cups) and baking soda (about 1/2 Cup) and Epson salt. Drink tons of water and green tea. Rub straight ACV (the kind with the mother like Braggs) onto the rash after towel drying/blotting off. Let it dry before you get dressed. Yes..you stink like ACV..but it works. I also used coconut oil w/ lavender or tea tree oil mixed in before work on the area. Best wishes! That sounds MISERABLE!0 -
Thanks. The ACV seemed to do the trick, so maybe that was it.0
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JessicaLCHF wrote: »
This is exactly what I have, all over the back of my neck and a bit on my chest. I was thinking for me it might be because Im eating more dairy than I used to. I'd given up all dairy a couple of years ago due to being lactose intolerant but when I was researching Keto I found out that butter and double cream only have small amounts so I thought I'd be okay with it so I've been eating loads of butter and cream. yesterday and today I haven't had any and have noticed a slight improvement so far.
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It makes total sense to why I've been so itchy!0
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It's very likely that calling 911 will be the quickest way to get emergency medical care in the case of a severe allergic reaction, when minutes count. (But I'm glad that you're okay, and that your husband did what needed to be done, @AshleyC1023 . You shouldn't be embarrassed about passing out. You survived)!0
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Lithezebra - I would definitely recommend anyone to get ambulatory services rather than being driven - if time permits. I live on a military base, and we don't have the services on the part where I live - they come from, you guessed it, the military ER I go to! So, saves half the time to have hubby (who was an EMT before he joined) drive me if at all possible.
The ER doctor set me up in the event that I'm alone. She gave me 6 epi-pens in the event I have to wait the 20-30 minutes on an ambulance to arrive. In hopes that I never have to use even half of them, but you never know.
It is totally embarrassing because when you come to, you don't know WTF happened to you. I woke up on the floor outside the ER with a ton of nurses standing around and the first thing I remember was a male nurse saying "how do you feel" and not being able to talk but thinking "how do you think?" Just scary, so now I'm kind of paranoid of anyone that says they itch really bad or have a rash!
all good intentions though. 0
