Treating Keto Rash: Natural Remedies And Tips

The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb eating plan that can trigger a skin problem known as keto rash, or prurigo pigmentosa. This is a rare inflammatory skin condition that causes an itchy rash with blisters, usually on the neck, chest, back, and abdomen. The exact cause of keto rash is unknown, but it is believed to be linked to ketosis, the state in which the body uses fat instead of glucose for energy. The rash can be treated and prevented by making dietary changes, such as reintroducing carbohydrates and correcting nutrient deficiencies. Antibiotics and other medications can also be prescribed by a doctor to treat keto rash.

Reintroduce carbohydrates

If you think that a recent dietary change has caused your keto rash, you may want to consider reintroducing carbohydrates. Research has shown that increasing carbohydrate intake can significantly improve rash symptoms.

You don't have to give up on the keto diet entirely to do this. Instead, you can aim for a moderately low-carb diet, with guidance from a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) trained in ketogenic therapies. This approach can help you maintain the benefits of the keto diet without the side effect of a keto rash.

It is important to note that reducing your carbohydrate intake too quickly can increase your risk of developing a keto rash. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider before making any significant dietary changes and to slowly lower your carbohydrate intake over time.

Additionally, increasing your carbohydrate intake may not be enough to fully resolve the keto rash. In some cases, you may need to combine this approach with other treatments, such as correcting nutrient deficiencies, eliminating food allergens, or incorporating anti-inflammatory supplements.

Correct nutrient deficiencies

Correcting nutrient deficiencies is an important step in treating keto rash. Nutrient deficiencies can cause skin disorders, and deficiencies in vitamin A, vitamin B-12, and vitamin C have been linked to both acute and chronic skin conditions.

The keto diet restricts entire food groups, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies. A low-carbohydrate diet, for example, can result in insufficient intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, leading to a lack of essential nutrients.

To correct nutrient deficiencies, it is recommended to:

• Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to ensure you're getting a range of vitamins and minerals.
• Consult a healthcare provider to discuss vitamin and mineral supplements to balance your keto diet.
• Consider taking a multivitamin or multimineral supplement to reduce the likelihood of nutrient deficiencies.
• Include nutrient-dense foods in your diet, such as grass-fed, pastured meat, poultry, wild-caught fish, liver, spinach, kale, nuts, and seeds.
• If you are pregnant, ensure adequate intake of folic acid or folate, which is essential for fetal development.
• If you have the MTHFR mutation, consider taking a methylated form of folate, as folic acid may not be effectively converted to its active form.
• If you are experiencing hair loss or skin inflammation, consider supplementing with vitamin B7 (biotin).
• Include selenium-rich foods in your diet, such as Brazil nuts, mushrooms, oysters, tuna, liver, and meat, to support immune function and protect against heart disease.
• Consume foods rich in choline, such as eggs, liver, meat, poultry, and fish, to support liver health and avoid non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Eliminate food allergens

Keto rash, also called prurigo pigmentosa, is an inflammatory skin condition characterised by a red, itchy rash. It is associated with the ketogenic diet, a low-carb, high-fat eating plan.

The keto diet includes many common food allergens, such as eggs, dairy, fish, and nuts. If you have a food allergy, consuming the allergen can trigger or worsen a rash.

• Identify food allergies: It is important to get diagnosed for any food allergies you may have. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, eight types of foods account for 90% of all adverse food reactions: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.
• Avoid specific food allergens: Once you have identified any food allergies, it is crucial to avoid consuming those specific allergens.
• Be cautious with keto-friendly foods: Many keto-friendly foods, such as eggs, dairy, fish, and nuts, are common food allergens. Even if you do not have a diagnosed allergy, these foods may still trigger or worsen a rash.
• Seek medical advice: Consult a healthcare provider or a dietitian to develop a safe and personalised eating plan that avoids any identified food allergens.
• Monitor your symptoms: Pay attention to your body and how it reacts to different foods. If you notice any rash symptoms, take them seriously and consider increasing your carbohydrate intake.
• Gradual dietary changes: Rather than making abrupt changes, gradually transition to a new eating plan to reduce the risk of developing keto rash.

Remember, it is important to work with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for your specific situation.

Incorporate anti-inflammatory supplements

There is some evidence that certain nutritional supplements may help reduce inflammation in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema). While the research is inconclusive and warrants further investigation, symptom improvement of skin disorders has been linked to the following nutrients:

Evening Primrose Oil

A 2014 review of the current literature on herbal supplementation found that evening primrose oil may also yield promising results for those with dermatitis.

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Probiotics, prebiotics, vitamin D, and fish oil supplements have all been used in clinical studies to help improve symptoms of dermatitis.

Turmeric

In the last two decades alone, there have been over 6000 scientific studies showing the benefits of turmeric curcumin — the compound in turmeric that has been found to significantly reduce inflammation.

Curcumin is 154% more effective when combined with black pepper, specifically the piperine compound in black pepper. When curcumin and piperine join forces, inflammation goes down quicker and curcumin stays in your blood for longer, providing more anti-inflammatory perks from the same amount of curcumin.

Ginger

Research finds that ginger extract may be as effective as ibuprofen in the treatment of both severe menstrual cramps and post-surgical pain because it reduces the prostaglandins that cause inflammation.

Ginger can also inhibit the induction of genes involved in the inflammatory response. This means ginger may be able to modulate biochemical pathways activated in chronic inflammation.

Salmon

A single 3-ounce serving of salmon contains 1921 mg of inflammation-fighting omega 3 fatty acids.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are the fattiest nuts of them all, and much of that fat is healthy monounsaturated fat, which has anti-inflammatory effects.

Macadamias also pack some magnesium to help turn off pain signals and lower blood sugar, both of which have a positive impact on inflammation.

Walnuts

Each 1-ounce serving of walnuts contains an adequate intake of magnesium, which is necessary for hundreds of bodily processes, while omega 3s have anti-inflammatory properties.

Take care of your skin

Taking care of your skin is essential, especially if you have inflammatory skin conditions. Here are some general guidelines to protect your skin and relieve symptoms of inflammation and itching:

• Avoid scrubbing your skin when bathing or scratching to relieve itching. Keep your fingernails short to reduce the impact of any accidental scratching.
• Use fragrance-free and dye-free gentle cleansers. Avoid using cosmetic lotions or ointments on the affected area.
• When bathing, use lukewarm or warm water and avoid scrubbing with a washcloth or loofah.
• After bathing, gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it. Allow the affected area to air dry whenever possible.
• Add colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath to relieve itching.
• Try topical treatments such as moisturisers, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone cream (1%).
• Moisturise the area of the rash several times a day to relieve symptoms.
• Avoid contact with potential irritants, such as wool or strong detergents.
• Avoid hot or humid climates, as these can aggravate the rash.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce friction between your clothes and skin, which can trigger the keto rash.

Frequently asked questions