Kava dermopathy

[vjblather]

After drinking kava for a few months, I began to develop a rash 2-3 hours after drinking an infusion. I had a red, slightly puffy face for a day or two. Then I decided to stop for a while as I reasoned that my sebaceous oil was somehow depleted by the kava. The kavalactones probably infiltrated my sebaceous glands as these are lipophilic compounds. A lymphocytic response was likely responsible for the resulting rash. Can anyone give me an idea of how long it takes for the sebaceous glands to begin functioning normally again. I last had kava about 3 weeks ago.

[tuninaviti]

mine went away after two weeks. best thing is not to touch ur face when its itchy it will induce more swelling and spread th itchyness further and swelling of little  bumps or rash like swelling

[vjblather]

The good news is that I have been drinking kava without any skin issues for about the last two years. What I came to realize was that I was drinking it too frequently and making my kava drink too strong. That had an adverse effect on my sebaceous gland function. Hence the dry skin and the red face and rash. No more! YEA! What I did was to take just about four months off. When I went back to it, I didn't drink it everyday, and I didn't make my kava infusion so strong. Now I do it maybe 4 times a week and use a mellower variety. I find that it's actually more pleasant to have a mellower effect.

Based on what I've gathered from reading extensively about this matter, the source of the problem is that the kavalactones - the active ingredients in kava - are lipophilic (fat soluble) and infiltrate readily into the sebaceous oil and glands. If one doesn't have little breaks, too much gets into the glands and impairs their function. That's when the rashes can happen. So when you do what is recommended - cycling your kava use - these problems are largely avoided. Cycling means 3-4 times per week with days in between with no kava. That gives the glands a chance to be cleared of the kavalactones. I hope this helps.

[yes159]

  The Itch became intolerable, I surmise I just have an allergy, or perhaps because so much weapons testing was done in that area, plants have somehow become infected.  I do not know.  Yet I do know that I can no longer take this plant on any regular basis.  So I have $200 worth of kava now that is more or less useless to me, not good as I am not affluent currently.  I hope the itch goes away quickly, I will be taking much fluids daily, and perhaps will start a little flushing Niacin to see if this helps or makes it worse (starting with very small doses).  Would be important to also get some skin creme, will use maybe a boosted coconut oil for it's amazing properties...just thought I would keep you all up to date on this, and hope you learn also without having to go through the experience.

[yes159]

I have been getting quite pronounced itching since I started using kava a few days ago.  I have used a few different types, and quite heavily for the first few days.  Now I am going to cut way back on it of coarse and see how long the itchiness takes to go away...I will also use some cleansing techniques such as enema, and chlorophyll intake, etc.  I just thought I would mention this as it seems to be a real detractor from the positive effects that this herb can give.  Why this occurs, no one seems to know (at least from my initial online research into it), and so therefore no one reports what to do about it except abstain and observe.  I hope and wish you all good with dealing with your concerns.  Also that this little piece of information may be beneficial to you.

[yes159]

I have been getting quite pronounced itching since I started using kava a few days ago.  I have used a few different types, and quite heavily for the first few days.  Now I am going to cut way back on it of coarse and see how long the itchiness takes to go away...I will also use some cleansing techniques such as enema, and chlorophyll intake, etc.  I just thought I would mention this as it seems to be a real detractor from the positive effects that this herb can give.  Why this occurs, no one seems to know (at least from my initial online research into it), and so therefore no one reports what to do about it except abstain and observe.  I hope and wish you all good with dealing with your concerns.  Also that this little piece of information may be beneficial to you.

[Penny872]

Hi, I realize that this thread is old now,  but I have just experienced the exact same symptoms as you had. Could I ask you for an update, as I'm keen to know if I'll be able to drink kava again. Thanks

[Shanaman]

If your body is still depleted of Niacin pending that Kava depletes Niacin; when you take Kava the same occurrence will occur.

[Shanaman]

Such Kava skin reactions are believed to be that of depleted Niacin. Reside from Kava for 1-month and supplement With Niacin of the Skin Flushing Type & not The Niacin of the NON-Skin-Flushing type for 1 month.


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[vjblather]

I have had kava several times since the appearance of the rash. I didn't have any for 6 weeks. I had some then and got a rash although it wasn't as bad. Then I let 4 weeks go by and tried it again. The reaction happened, but it was fairly mild and cleared up by noon the next day. The last time - a week-and-a-half ago, the reaction was very mild. It's getting better. It seems like the longer I go only drinking kava occasionally, the milder the reaction becomes. I'm hoping it will disappear altogether. I miss kava being a regular part of my life.

I'm interested in hearing your situation with kava.

vjblather

[caliaries]

that exact same thing happened to me about 1 1/2 year ago, i have not drink any since. I have you tried to drink any since your experience,if so, was the reaction the same..Thank

[vjblather]

Thanks again for the response. Once again, I feel you have responded with generalities and have not answered my question specifically. I have no food allergies. I do not have dermatitis when I do not drink a kava infusion. And the dermatitis reaction has only happened 3 times - the last 3 times I drank kava. I used it reacreationally for 8 months without any skin reaction whatsoever until those last 3 times.

I could put my question more simply as follows: Is the response I get following ingestion of kava an allergic reaction, or is it a lymphocytic response to the presence of a foreign substance, i.e. kavalactones infused into my sebaceous oil around the sebaceous glands? Once my skin oil content becomes normal again as a result of NOT drinking kava for 2-3 months (my estimate of how long it may take), and my sebum is not infused with kavalactones, is it possible that my body will not react if my sebum is not infused with kavalactones?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Ingestion of certain food stuffs dries out the skin as a result of food allergies  and then it can cause dermatitis. Once the dermatitis is cured then only sebaceous glands and the skin can function normally.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[vjblather]

Thank you for the response, but the information and advice seems quite generic. There is no specific comment on the actual information I presented, namely that my skin reaction occurred after drinking kava, that the active compounds in kava are lipophilic, and that these likely infiltrated my sebaceous glands. My specific question was how long might it take for sebaceous glands to begin functioning normally again? I do not need to take steroids nor antihistamines as I do not have symptoms after about a day or two after drinking a kava infusion. I have not had kava in a month. I'm beginning to see signs that my sebaceous oil is being made again, so my questions are beginning to be answered by natural processes.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to food allergy that you are having dermatitis. Take some antihistaminics like Benadryl or Claritin and apply calamine lotion on the face. Also use a mild soap like Dove or Cetaphil. If the symptoms persist then please get it evaluated from a dermatologist and get prescribed topical and oral steroids.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.