Keto Rash: What It Is, Why It Happens, And How To Cure It

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Skin Care

Keto Diet Rash: What You Need to Know

Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by Eleesha Lockett, MS — Updated on January 30, 2024

Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Prevention

Keto rash, also called prurigo pigmentosa, is a rare, inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by a red, itchy rash around the trunk and neck. It’s associated with the ketogenic diet.

If you’ve been involved in the health and wellness world lately, you’ve likely heard of the keto diet.

The ketogenic diet, also referred to as the keto diet, is a low-carb, high-fat diet. With a very low carbohydrate intake, the body can run on ketones from fat instead of glucose from carbs. This leads to increased fat-burning and weight loss.

However, as with any drastic dietary change, there can be some unwanted side effects. Initial side effects of the keto diet may include brain fog, fatigue, electrolyte imbalance, and even a keto rash.

Here’s everything you need to know about the keto rash, including what can cause it, how to treat it, and how to prevent it from happening.

Learn more about prurigo pigmentosa

Symptoms of the keto rash

The keto rash is a type of dermatitis that can occur in anyone but is most common in Asian women. Most of the in-depth research on the subject has previously involved young Japanese women.

Symptoms of the keto rash may include:

an itchy, red rash that occurs primarily on the upper back, chest, and abdomen
red spots, called papules, that take on a web-like appearance
a dark brown pattern left on the skin once the spots disappear

Causes of the keto rash

Research on the link between the keto diet and prurigo pigmentosa is limited. However, there’s some evidence that suggests a correlation between the two.

Researchers are still not entirely sure what causes keto rash, but there are thought to be several associated conditions. These include:

Still’s disease
Sjögren’s syndrome
H. pylori infection

In addition, there’s a strong correlation between this acute rash and the presence of ketosis, which is how it gets its nickname “keto rash.”

Ketosis occurs most commonly as a result of restrictive dieting and can also be seen in diabetics. If ketosis is accompanied by uncontrolled sugars, it can lead to a life-threatening condition known as ketoacidosis. With the keto diet, the goal is to be in ketosis.

In one case study, a 16-year-old female was found to have developed the rash roughly a month after undergoing strict dietary changes.

In a similar case, a 17-year-old male sought medical care after developing both the rash and accompanying symptoms of arthritis. It was revealed during treatment that he had been following an extremely low-carbohydrate diet for more than a year.

According to a review of the relevant literature, 14 different people over the course of two studies had been in ketosis when diagnosed with prurigo pigmentosa.

There are also thought to be external factors that may aggravate the keto rash. These include things such as sunlight and excessive heat, sweating, friction and skin trauma, and allergens.

Treatment for the keto rash

There are several at-home treatment methods for the keto rash, should you experience it:

1. Reintroduce carbohydrates

If you believe that a recent change to your diet is the cause of your rash, you may want to consider reintroducing carbohydrates.

A 2018 study found that incorporating carbs back into the diet significantly improved rash symptoms.

If you’re not ready to completely give up the keto lifestyle just yet, you can always aim for a moderately low-carb diet instead.

2. Correct nutrient deficiencies

Nutrient deficiencies may play a role in certain inflammatory skin conditions.

Deficiencies in vitamin A, vitamin B-12, and vitamin C have been linked with both acute and chronic skin conditions.

If you’re eating an overly restrictive diet, your body may not be getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs.

Eating an array of colorful fruits and vegetables is a great way to ensure that you’re eating all the nutrients nature has to offer.

3. Eliminate food allergens

The keto diet places an emphasis on low-carb, high-fat foods. Some of the most common foods to eat on the ketogenic diet are eggs, dairy, fish, and nuts and seeds, to name a few.

Coincidentally, many of these foods also happen to be on the list of common food allergens.

With food allergies being a source of inflammation, it’s important to eliminate any foods you’re allergic to that may be worsening your rash symptoms.

4. Incorporate anti-inflammatory supplements

In addition to dietary changes, certain supplements may assist the body in fighting inflammatory conditions.

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

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

5. Take care of your skin

It’s important to take care of your skin as much as possible. This is especially true if you have inflammatory skin conditions.

The National Eczema Association recommends using lukewarm water for bathing and showering, and cleaning only with gentle soaps and cleansers.

The group also recommends keeping your skin moisturized when dry and protected when out in the elements, such as the hot sun or cold wind.

6. Talk to your doctor about medication

If home treatments fail to clear up the rash, a visit to your doctor may be necessary.

Effective medications prescribed for prurigo pigmentosa are the antibiotics minocycline and doxycycline. Dapsone may also be used for treatment.

Outlook and prevention

Through dietary and lifestyle changes, it’s possible to prevent and ease the keto rash.

If home remedies don’t eliminate the rash completely, visiting your physician may give you the support you need to fully clear up your condition.

Although developing the keto rash is rare, you can prevent it by taking the following precautions when starting the keto diet:

Slowly lower your carbohydrate intake. Rather than dropping your carbohydrate intake suddenly, try to slower taper carbohydrates out of your diet.
Supplement with a multivitamin/mineral initially. A once-a-day multivitamin or multimineral can help you reduce the likelihood of nutrient deficiencies as you start the keto diet. Check out what nutritionists say your multivitamin should contain.
Consult with a doctor. If you’re concerned about any of the side effects of the keto diet, including the keto rash, visit your doctor for more information. They may refer you to a dietitian who can help you transition to the keto diet safely.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by Eleesha Lockett, MS — Updated on January 30, 2024

Keto Rash: What It Is, Why It Happens, And How To Cure It

Skin Care

Symptoms of the keto rash

Causes of the keto rash

Treatment for the keto rash

1. Reintroduce carbohydrates

2. Correct nutrient deficiencies

3. Eliminate food allergens

4. Incorporate anti-inflammatory supplements

5. Take care of your skin

6. Talk to your doctor about medication

Outlook and prevention

How we reviewed this article:

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