Low Carb Rash? Yeast problem?

[fcali]

I have been Experiencing a pretty nasty skin rash on my chest, Lower back, under arms and stomach since I have stated a low-carb diet. When I noticed the rash about 6 months ago I was just trying the program for the first time and neither myself or my doctor connected the two together. After about 2 weeks of induction (less than 20 carbs per day) I began to slowly reintroduce foods back into my diet and the rash began to fade away. This last month I decided that I would try the whole thing again and stick with it more carefully this time. I developed the same rash again in the exact same places. Its a very itchy rash that at first looked like hives and bright red bumps, then like brown spots under my skin. It leaves ugly brown spots everywhere. I did a lot of research on it and it sounded like it might be yeast related. I have been taking Acidopholous and coconut oil as well as rubbing lotrimin on it twice a day. I seems to have slowed down but its not completely gone and its still pretty bothersome. Any suggestions? My doc has no clue.

[Marktb]

It's related to changes in your body chemistry caused when it switches to burning fat for energy rather than sugar (glucose) when on a low carb diet. Also may be related to changes in bio-flora (yeast/fungal organism levels) in the body that accompany low carb diets and ketosis.
I developed a similar rash after a few weeks on the Atkins diet. Tried some cortisone cream x 2 days but didn't help so I thought it was ringworm (yech!) and burned through a tube of Lotrimin in 1 week to no avail. Finally Googled it and read that many others had it from the diet.
After taking an over the counter antihistamine and going back to using a little topical cortisone cream for 2 days it was gone :-)

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Nothing can be said about the diagnosis without a clinical examination.

You need to wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites.

Apply calamine lotion at the site of the lesions and see if it helps. You could take some oral antihistamine medications like cetrizine or loratadine. You need to maintain a good personal hygiene .

Anti-itch drugs, often antihistamine, may reduce the itch during a flare up of eczema, and the reduced scratching in turn reduces damage and irritation to the skin.

It would be advisable to consult a skin specialist for your symptoms and a proper clinical examination.

Let us know if you need any other information and post us on how you are doing.

Regards.