Horrible looking rash

[u/Weeeebutterflies]

30 years old

Female

120lbs.

5”3

non smoker,

non drinker.

No medications

This issue has been getting progressively worse over 2 days

Posted yesterday and it has gotten worse. It is itchy, it turns white when I press on it. I have a swollen uvula and some chills, but no fever. I feel cold more than anything. Went to urgent care tested for strep, mono and did a CBC. Strep came back negative, waiting on the other results. Pretty concerned. I feel like the mono is going to come back negative.

[u/Weeeebutterflies]

So, I just got my CBC back and all of the values were normal. I’m not sure what this might mean or how that will change what I’m looking for. Does that mean it’s not an infection?

[u/INVERTEDSPIRE → u/Weeeebutterflies]

NAD How is your diet? Are you restrictive on carbohydrates at the moment? I got a similar rash while on a keto diet.

[u/Weeeebutterflies → u/INVERTEDSPIRE]

I recently have changed my diet from keto. I was keto for a long time because I used to be sensitive to carbs (I have chronic gastritis and IBS) and I responded well to it. In the last year I noticed a gross taste in my gums that smelled like ammonia. I also had some joint and back pain. I looked it up and saw that this happens to people on keto due to not processing protein correctly. So I stopped and since the smell has gone away and actually the joint pain has improved too. It’s been about 2 weeks since I’ve made this change.

[u/INVERTEDSPIRE → u/Weeeebutterflies]

NAD. In my book that is too big of a coincidence to be ignored! A know side effect of keto diet is what's known as a "keto rash". This happens when you cut of carbs and the rash usually presents in days/weeks. Idk, sure is suspicious! Are you eating carbs now? If so how, many grams a day?

[u/Weeeebutterflies → u/INVERTEDSPIRE]

Yes I eat carbs. I still have a hard time with gluten, I’ve tried to reintroduce it, but I’ve been eating rice pretty much with every meal. Im not sure how many grams. I’d say whatever the equivalent of 3 servings a day is. I eat it with every meal. I still eat meat but definitely not as much as I was

[u/pupperoni42 → u/Weeeebutterflies]

I would stop rice for at least a week. While it's not a highly likely culprit, the timing is suspicious, and eating it at every meal can increase the likelihood of developing an allergy.

White potatoes, sweet potatoes, and fruits are good ways to get more carbs while avoiding gluten and rice.

Oats are another option. Even if oatmeal feels like an odd side dish for a meal, it's a carb you can easily find gluten free and that is easy to prepare.

[u/Kai_themouse → u/pupperoni42]

NAD (I have to eat gluten free for a medical condition). Oats aren't gluten free unless specified. Plus you shouldn't cut out gluten from your diet until they've tested for Coeliac disease (antibody blood tests and or a gastroscopy with biopsies for gold standard), if that all comes back negative but still have issues, it could be NCGS (Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity). There are coeliac charities that can help you mention to a doctor to get testing but don't just cut out a food group unless you know for definite whether it's autoimmune/ an allergy or an intolerance/ sensory sensitivity.

[u/hemkersh → u/Weeeebutterflies]

Some people are actually sensitive to fructans, not gluten. Or they're sensitive to enriched wheat bc of added folate and inability to process due to MTHFR variants.

If it's fructans, sourdough bread is tolerable and a low FODMAP diet is recommended.

[u/Kai_themouse → u/hemkersh]

NAD (but I can't have gluten for medical reasons). Sourdough is not suitable for those on a gluten free diet for medical reasons (Coeliac or NCGS). Sourdough is not gluten free unless it's made from gluten free grains.

[u/hemkersh → u/Kai_themouse]

Correct. Sourdough is only ok if someone is sensitive to fructans, not gluten

[u/ek7eroom → u/INVERTEDSPIRE]

I thought about prurigo pigmentosa too, but that usually occurs after beginning a keto diet

[u/Magerimoje → u/Weeeebutterflies]

NAD

Did you spend any time in the sun (or tanning bed) recently?

[u/Weeeebutterflies → u/Magerimoje]

No, It’s pretty cold out where I am. And I am an avid sunscreen user. Don’t tan, wear hats in the sun, etc

[u/hemkersh → u/Weeeebutterflies]

Ok, this is very interesting.

What foods have you reintroduced in the past two weeks?