Why a Detox Diet Can Cause a Rash — and What to Do if It Happens

Why You May Develop a Rash From a Detox Diet

Certain eating plans may upset the body’s natural balance, which can lead the skin to react — sometimes in the form of a rash. A detox diet may cause a rash because of the following:

Contents

Why You May Develop a Rash From a Detox Diet Supplement Overload Nutritional Deficiencies Keto Rash Allergies or Sensitivity to New Foods Gut Bacteria Changes or Inflammation Triggering Flaring Skin Conditions

Supplement Overload

Rebecca Blake, RD, CEO of Rebecca Blake Nutrition in New York City, notes that some detox plans encourage high supplement usage. When taken outside the supervision of a physician or registered dietitian, she says supplements could actually lead to toxicity related to vitamin and mineral levels, some of which could present as dermatological symptoms.

“For instance, high doses of B vitamins are all associated with symptoms such as rashes, hives, redness, flushing, welts, and itchiness,” she says.

Some detox methods call for elevated amounts of vitamin B3 (also known as niacin). Taking too much, however, can lead to warm, itchy or tingly, red skin, sometimes called “the niacin flush.”

Nutritional Deficiencies

Nutrient shortfalls from severe dietary restriction can impair the skin barrier and healing, according to Sara Moghaddam, MD, a dermatologist with Delmarva Skin Specialists in Selbyville, Delaware. “Rapidly eliminating food groups can lead to deficiencies in essential fatty acids and vitamins, such as zinc or B vitamins, which are critical for skin repair and wound healing,” she says.

Keto Rash

Some believe the ketogenic diet — a type of low-carb eating plan — can also purge the body of toxins. Eamonn Maher, MD, a dermatologist and an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, warns that this regimen may also cause a “keto rash.” Specifically, people on the diet may experience an irritation called prurigo pigmentosa (in medical terms) as the body switches to burning fat instead of carbs.

Allergies or Sensitivity to New Foods

Depending on the detox diet in question, you may try foods that you haven’t eaten before and discover an allergic reaction. Certain high-histamine, histamine-releasing, or allergen-heavy foods, for instance, can trigger hives, itching, and eczema.

Gut Bacteria Changes or Inflammation Triggering Flaring Skin Conditions

A number of skin conditions are linked to gut health status. Specifically, research has connected imbalances in the types of organisms found in the gut microbiome to skin issues like acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea.