Worsening Keto Rash

science
(Mary J) #1

Good evening,

My husband has been on keto for approx. 2 months. After 2 weeks on keto, he started developing the “keto rash” and it has slowly been getting worse. I know his stress levels affect the severity of the rash, but is there anything else that can reduce it? He is already using a sensitive skin body wash, wearing 100% cotton t shirts, Luke warm baths only, using an ezcema cream X2 a day etc. I know it isn’t a contagious rash as I havent contracted it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #2

This may be helpful - https://www.healthline.com/health/keto-rash

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #3

If you read the Healthline article closely, it becomes clear that no one really has any idea of what causes keto rash. However, the suggested treatments—eliminate allergenic foods, correct vitamin and mineral deficiencies—are reasonable, and so are the ideas for taking care of the skin and relieving the itch. Returning to a high-carb diet has been known to help people, undesirable as that might be from a ketogenic viewpoint. Your husband will have to decide whether that should be his first or his last resort.

One hypothesis is that certain toxins got stored in your husband’s fat tissue, which are now being released along with his excess fat. The rash is caused by these toxins’ being excreted in his perspiration. If this notion is valid, that means the rash should stop once (a) all the toxins have been released or (b) your husband has no more excess fat to lose. Assuming, of course, that he can cope with the rash long enough for either to occur.

(Omar) #4

does he have any thing that indicates a leaky gut, or any digestive track issues?

#5

This is absolutely crazy! About 6 weeks into my adventure in veganism (prior to Keto), I developed a rash with the same exact description, saw a dermatologist and even asked directly if it was from my drastic diet changes and was told No, that there was nothing I did to cause it and nothing I could do to get it to go away any faster - it took almost 3 months to clear completely. Detoxing sounds like a reasonable cause, but I think mine was caused by a nightshade allergy and I was eating tons of them at that time and putting smoked paprika on everything lol, that rash was the WORST!!!

(Empress of the Unexpected) #6

Megan Ramos suggests raspberries and ACV. You might use the search function to get more info on the protocol.

(The amazing autoimmune 🦄) #7

What she :point_up:said. It will clear up after a week or two following Meghan Ramos’ advice.

#8

Hope this works. Megan’s advice is transcribed here:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwjAsvH6nLHhAhWDf30KHYLDB4YQFjAAegQIBBAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fidmprogram.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F01-Keto-Rash.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0z8-7lmuNDavvmTa1vL_xk

(John) #9

I got some sort of odd itching rash, but not like the photos of keto rash, on my shins all of a sudden a few months ago, along with some rosacea on one side of my face which I had never had before.

I upped my carb intake for a few weeks, in particular I ate berries every day like Megan Ramos recommended, and it went away slowly and has not returned.

(Mary J) #10

thank you!

(Mary J) #11

I will have to ask him. Most likely digestive track issues from poor eating habits from when he was younger.

(Mary J) #12

It is! I’ll have to try removing the paprika from his diet!

#13

If you figure out the cause that’s great, but while he may have some improvement just know that the rash itself takes a weirdly long time to go away entirely (or at least mine did) - wishing him speedy recovery!