Atkins Diet and facial rashes

I am a 32 years old woman of Chinese origin currently living in Hong Kong.

I started the Atkins Diet (weight-loss diet characterized by high protein/zero carbohydrates intake) about 4 weeks ago and have taken the necessary food supplements as suggested by the dietician.

About 2 weeks ago, I started having redness on my cheeks.  The redness has since grown and today it has begun to casue a lesion on the tip of my nose.

My family physician thought that the symptoms resemble those of rosacea and refered me to a dermatologist.

After a quick, visual diagnosis of the infected area, the dermatologist immediately determined that the ailment is caused by dryness of skin and not rosacea.  

When I asked the two doctors whether my diet is related to the my skin ailment, both gentlemen don't seem to know too much about the Atkins diets, as it is not very popular in Hong Kong.

My questions are
1. Whether Atkins diet may be a cause of the ailment?
2. Whether I should stop the Atkins diet immediately?
3. If so, what should I add back into my diet - more fruits and vegetables, etc.?
4. Given the symptoms of lesion on the noise tip, should I get a second dermatological opinion, as it appears that these symptoms are more serious than just skin dryness.

Many thanks.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I doubt that the Atkins diet has any relationship with the rash.  I also think the dermatologist would be able to distinguish rosacea from xerosis without much trouble.  My advice is to follow the doctor's recommendations and get back to him if they don;t work.  But diet is probably not at issue.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff