Red spots on neck / around nipples / on upper torso.

Quoted message said:

Please do not reply by email, as it'll probably bounce.

I'm a fan of eating "the atkins way" or something quite simliar (not sure,
as I've never read a book on dieting! 😉 - eating mainly meat, poultry,
eggs, salad, and so forth - with very little carbs.

My main problem - which is probably not low-carb related, is that every
time I lose weight - I get red rashes on my neck, on my breast (especially
around the nipples), in addition to the upper torso.

The red spots are numerous, and sort of form a red band "around" the front
of my neck, in addition to around the nipples. They start popping up one
by one - and then grow into a continous red area.

This usually happens when I've lost around 5kg (10lbs) - and continue
through my weight loss. When the weight stabilizes, the spots slowly
disappear after a couple of weeks.

One thing is that the spots are ugly. The bad thing is that they ITCH!

Any suggestions? Any at all?

(PS, yes, i've tried seeing doctors about it. They send me on with some
itch-reducing cream every time .. which doesn't work at all. I've been
repeatedly to the same doctors - and tried different doctors. I've given
up on that..)

Post photos.

Quoted message said:

Please do not reply by email, as it'll probably bounce.

I'm a fan of eating "the atkins way" or something quite simliar (not sure,
as I've never read a book on dieting! 😉 - eating mainly meat, poultry,
eggs, salad, and so forth - with very little carbs.

My main problem - which is probably not low-carb related, is that every
time I lose weight - I get red rashes on my neck, on my breast (especially
around the nipples), in addition to the upper torso.

The red spots are numerous, and sort of form a red band "around" the front
of my neck, in addition to around the nipples. They start popping up one
by one - and then grow into a continous red area.

This usually happens when I've lost around 5kg (10lbs) - and continue
through my weight loss. When the weight stabilizes, the spots slowly
disappear after a couple of weeks.

One thing is that the spots are ugly. The bad thing is that they ITCH!

Any suggestions? Any at all?

(PS, yes, i've tried seeing doctors about it. They send me on with some
itch-reducing cream every time .. which doesn't work at all. I've been
repeatedly to the same doctors - and tried different doctors. I've given
up on that..)

I'd like to help. Please post photos, especially the ones around your
nipples.

In article said:

Quoted message said:

Please do not reply by email, as it'll probably bounce.

I'm a fan of eating "the atkins way" or something quite simliar (not sure,
as I've never read a book on dieting! 😉 - eating mainly meat, poultry,
eggs, salad, and so forth - with very little carbs.

My main problem - which is probably not low-carb related, is that every
time I lose weight - I get red rashes on my neck, on my breast (especially
around the nipples), in addition to the upper torso.

The red spots are numerous, and sort of form a red band "around" the front
of my neck, in addition to around the nipples. They start popping up one
by one - and then grow into a continous red area.

This usually happens when I've lost around 5kg (10lbs) - and continue
through my weight loss. When the weight stabilizes, the spots slowly
disappear after a couple of weeks.

One thing is that the spots are ugly. The bad thing is that they ITCH!

Any suggestions? Any at all?

(PS, yes, i've tried seeing doctors about it. They send me on with some
itch-reducing cream every time .. which doesn't work at all. I've been
repeatedly to the same doctors - and tried different doctors. I've given
up on that..)

I'd like to help. Please post photos, especially the ones around your
nipples.

Pervert... ;-)

She needs to keep a food log.
It's most likely a food allergy.

I had a severe case of facial hives once from eating some white woodear
mushrooms.

Google for common food allergens and go from there.

Good luck!
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

This usually happens when I've lost around 5kg (10lbs) - and continue
through my weight loss. When the weight stabilizes, the spots slowly
disappear after a couple of weeks.
One thing is that the spots are ugly. The bad thing is that they ITCH!
Any suggestions? Any at all?
(PS, yes, i've tried seeing doctors about it. They send me on with some
itch-reducing cream every time .. which doesn't work at all. I've been
repeatedly to the same doctors - and tried different doctors. I've given
up on that..)

I'd like to help. Please post photos, especially the ones around your
nipples.

Pervert... ;-)

He would be disappointed... (se below):

Anyways, I don't have anything but my mobile phone to take pictures with, and
those pictures are no good.

Quoted message said:

She needs to keep a food log.

He. I'm a he. :-) I doubt he would like to see pictures of my hairy
breast. :-)

The food log is simple:

Breakfast:
2 eggs, w/some cheese, basilicum/oregano, some chilli.

Lunch:
Salad w/tomatoes, egg, cheeze/ham.

Dinner:
One of the following:
- Chicken
- Steak
- Minced meat prepared in various ways.

Quoted message said:

It's most likely a food allergy.

It's probably not. It only happens when I'm loosing weight fast (i.e when
I'm following the diet strictly - which I do until the weight evens out -
then I continue following the diet.. but the spots disappear).

Quoted message said:

Google for common food allergens and go from there.

Been through some testinng there. All negative. I'm simply not allergic
to any common food.

My main theory - which someone else has mentioned to me in other forums -
is that it's pretty common for people drinking far too big amounts of diet
soda to start storing some nasty stuff in their fat.. and when the fat
burns .. ITCH TIME.

Not sure if the theory is based on facts, though.

--
Anonymous

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Quoted message said:

> This usually happens when I've lost around 5kg (10lbs) - and continue
> through my weight loss. When the weight stabilizes, the spots slowly
> disappear after a couple of weeks.
> One thing is that the spots are ugly. The bad thing is that they ITCH!
> Any suggestions? Any at all?
> (PS, yes, i've tried seeing doctors about it. They send me on with some
> itch-reducing cream every time .. which doesn't work at all. I've been
> repeatedly to the same doctors - and tried different doctors. I've given
> up on that..)
I'd like to help. Please post photos, especially the ones around your
nipples.

Pervert... ;-)

He would be disappointed... (se below):

Anyways, I don't have anything but my mobile phone to take pictures with, and
those pictures are no good.

Quoted message said:

She needs to keep a food log.

He. I'm a he. :-) I doubt he would like to see pictures of my hairy
breast. :-)

The food log is simple:

Breakfast:
2 eggs, w/some cheese, basilicum/oregano, some chilli.

Lunch:
Salad w/tomatoes, egg, cheeze/ham.

Dinner:
One of the following:
- Chicken
- Steak
- Minced meat prepared in various ways.

Quoted message said:

It's most likely a food allergy.

It's probably not. It only happens when I'm loosing weight fast (i.e when
I'm following the diet strictly - which I do until the weight evens out -
then I continue following the diet.. but the spots disappear).

Quoted message said:

Google for common food allergens and go from there.

Been through some testinng there. All negative. I'm simply not allergic
to any common food.

My main theory - which someone else has mentioned to me in other forums -
is that it's pretty common for people drinking far too big amounts of diet
soda to start storing some nasty stuff in their fat.. and when the fat
burns .. ITCH TIME.

Not sure if the theory is based on facts, though.

Allergy tests are not 100% reliable...
Elimination diets are better.

My sister used to break out with eggs.

Try cutting out the eggs, or switching to duck eggs if you can get them.
Since we had ducks at the time, I saved all duck eggs for her, much to
her appreciation. It solved her problem.

Just an idea anyway. ;-)
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

This usually happens when I've lost around 5kg (10lbs) - and continue
through my weight loss. When the weight stabilizes, the spots slowly
disappear after a couple of weeks.

This is totally a wild-ass guess, but it might be that there are some
sort of toxins or chemicals that are stored in your body fat that are
getting into your bloodstream as you are lose weight and you are
reacting to them.

The reason I say this is that back around 1990-1992 I cumulatively
poisoned myself by frequently using Combat roach foggers in the enclosed
garage underneath my apartment. I also had gained quite a bit of weight
during that time. I was getting sicker and sicker and sicker (I'm
talking about being out of work for weeks and a couple of times even
MONTHS at a time) -- and then became chemically sensitive. Once I took
the chemical sensitivity stuff seriously (including moving to another
place and leaving everything except the car in the garage for the
landord to dispose of) I started eating only organic foods and drinking
filtered distilled water. I was so strict about it at the time that I
didn't have many choices in what I could eat, and I lost 50 lbs in one
year. Also during that time my doctor put me on an anti-mycotoxin diet
and my food choices were restricted even further (no sugar, fruit,
yeast, anything fermented). I ate mostly chicken and vegetables.
During that year, whenever I lost more than about 1.5-2 lbs in a week, I
would get sick again. If I lost more slowly, I would NOT get sick
unless I was exposed to pesticides again). Hence my theory that somet
toxins, which ARE stored in bodyfat (at least some estrogen-mimicking
ones) temporarily get back into the bloodstream as the tainted fat is
utilized for energy.

This is completely anecdotal info, of course, but it is MY anecdote and
not just something I heard floating around.

--
Saffire
205/132/125
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

*** This post originated in alt.support.diet.low-carb -- its appearance
in any other forum is deceptive and unauthorized. ***

In article <[email hidden]>,

Saffire said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

This usually happens when I've lost around 5kg (10lbs) - and continue
through my weight loss. When the weight stabilizes, the spots slowly
disappear after a couple of weeks.

This is totally a wild-ass guess, but it might be that there are some
sort of toxins or chemicals that are stored in your body fat that are
getting into your bloodstream as you are lose weight and you are
reacting to them.

The reason I say this is that back around 1990-1992 I cumulatively
poisoned myself by frequently using Combat roach foggers in the enclosed
garage underneath my apartment. I also had gained quite a bit of weight
during that time. I was getting sicker and sicker and sicker (I'm
talking about being out of work for weeks and a couple of times even
MONTHS at a time) -- and then became chemically sensitive. Once I took
the chemical sensitivity stuff seriously (including moving to another
place and leaving everything except the car in the garage for the
landord to dispose of) I started eating only organic foods and drinking
filtered distilled water. I was so strict about it at the time that I
didn't have many choices in what I could eat, and I lost 50 lbs in one
year. Also during that time my doctor put me on an anti-mycotoxin diet
and my food choices were restricted even further (no sugar, fruit,
yeast, anything fermented). I ate mostly chicken and vegetables.
During that year, whenever I lost more than about 1.5-2 lbs in a week, I
would get sick again. If I lost more slowly, I would NOT get sick
unless I was exposed to pesticides again). Hence my theory that somet
toxins, which ARE stored in bodyfat (at least some estrogen-mimicking
ones) temporarily get back into the bloodstream as the tainted fat is
utilized for energy.

This is completely anecdotal info, of course, but it is MY anecdote and
not just something I heard floating around.

It's not a new idea...

The whole concept of Macrobiotic detoxifying diets are based on this
very thing.

And your story is more common than you would think.
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

Did your doc say it was a contact dermatitis, perhaps? I have gotten that
from time to time from the chorine in the swimming pool where I go. Also, a
friend of mine got similar spots to yours from a new drug she was taking.
Perhaps you are focusing so much on food intake that you are overlooking
other factors.

just a thought...

Pat in TX

On Sun, 8 Jan 2006 20:59:32 -0600, "Pat in TX" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Did your doc say it was a contact dermatitis, perhaps? I have gotten that
from time to time from the chorine in the swimming pool where I go. Also, a
friend of mine got similar spots to yours from a new drug she was taking.
Perhaps you are focusing so much on food intake that you are overlooking
other factors.

just a thought...

Pat in TX

Yeah, and change soaps, shampoos, and any other stuff you put on your
body. PLUS, your laundry detergent, and possibly even certain types
of fabrics, especially synthetics.

Now if you were female, I'd tell you to remove all your clothes to
eliminate fabrics, and of course send pictures <lol>.

Quoted message said:

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Quoted message said:

> This usually happens when I've lost around 5kg (10lbs) - and continue
> through my weight loss. When the weight stabilizes, the spots slowly
> disappear after a couple of weeks.
> One thing is that the spots are ugly. The bad thing is that they ITCH!
> Any suggestions? Any at all?
> (PS, yes, i've tried seeing doctors about it. They send me on with some
> itch-reducing cream every time .. which doesn't work at all. I've been
> repeatedly to the same doctors - and tried different doctors. I've given
> up on that..)
I'd like to help. Please post photos, especially the ones around your
nipples.

Pervert... ;-)

He would be disappointed... (se below):

Anyways, I don't have anything but my mobile phone to take pictures with, and
those pictures are no good.

Quoted message said:

She needs to keep a food log.

He. I'm a he. :-) I doubt he would like to see pictures of my hairy
breast. :-)

Oh [censored]..... I dont want to see man [censored].... How boring !!!

Quoted message said:

The food log is simple:

Breakfast:
2 eggs, w/some cheese, basilicum/oregano, some chilli.

Lunch:
Salad w/tomatoes, egg, cheeze/ham.

Dinner:
One of the following:
- Chicken
- Steak
- Minced meat prepared in various ways.

Quoted message said:

It's most likely a food allergy.

It's probably not. It only happens when I'm loosing weight fast (i.e when
I'm following the diet strictly - which I do until the weight evens out -
then I continue following the diet.. but the spots disappear).

Quoted message said:

Google for common food allergens and go from there.

Been through some testinng there. All negative. I'm simply not allergic
to any common food.

My main theory - which someone else has mentioned to me in other forums -
is that it's pretty common for people drinking far too big amounts of diet
soda to start storing some nasty stuff in their fat.. and when the fat
burns .. ITCH TIME.

Not sure if the theory is based on facts, though.

Quit drinking that disgusting DIEt soda. That stuff is nasty.

Are you in a cold weather area? If yes, google "Chill blaines".
I know well about this, because I get it on my feet. Itches like
crazy.

====
The cause of Bird Flu has finally been discovered. Men choking their
chicken !!!

In article <[email hidden]>,

Pat in TX said:

Did your doc say it was a contact dermatitis, perhaps? I have gotten that
from time to time from the chorine in the swimming pool where I go. Also, a
friend of mine got similar spots to yours from a new drug she was taking.
Perhaps you are focusing so much on food intake that you are overlooking
other factors.

just a thought...

Pat in TX

And a very valid thought. :-)

Laundry detergent is another biggie!
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

Pat in TX said:

Did your doc say it was a contact dermatitis, perhaps? I have gotten that
from time to time from the chorine in the swimming pool where I go.

The same condition has, by several doctors been identified as:
- contact dermatitis
- "shaving-rash"
- fungus

.... none of the various creams I've gotten for it has worked at all.

The strange thing is - it only happens when I loose weight rapidly (and
I mean quite rapidly. 11 pounds now, since Jan.1st). The last two times
I've been especially watchfull that I have *not* changed anything from
the regular things. No new clothing, no new deterents, no new shampoo,
no new .. anything.

Also - I've had it for aprox two months at the worst - all while losing
weight. And it goes away aprox one week after I stop loosing weight.

The funny thing is - on January 1st I said "Hm, I'll start losing weight
again today. I'll probably get the rash again.."

January 5th .. the first red spots started appearing.

Today: Niiice red ITCHY! "necklace".

--
Anonymous

Sounds like yeast die off to me. The yeasts that lived on your skin
are dying because you are starving them by lowering your carb intake.
It gets really red and itchy and then In a couple days it should
resolve.
Jennifer

Yes, I was thinking the same thing, although it is probably internal yeast
as well. I seem to remember that as they die off en masse, they release some
sort of toxin/irritant that can cause rashes, etc.

I also remember back when I first went on Atkins, having quite a skin rash
that started abruptly a week or so into induction, very itchy woth raised
patches, and then gradually went away, leaving a lot of small, rough scabs
in the affected area that in turn went away. I figured it to be possibly
yeast dieoff. If it was allergy, it would not have gone away, since I was
still eating the same foods.

HG

"rapsmom1" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Sounds like yeast die off to me. The yeasts that lived on your skin
are dying because you are starving them by lowering your carb intake.
It gets really red and itchy and then In a couple days it should
resolve.
Jennifer

Hannah Gruen said:

I also remember back when I first went on Atkins, having quite a skin rash
that started abruptly a week or so into induction, very itchy woth raised
patches, and then gradually went away, leaving a lot of small, rough scabs
in the affected area that in turn went away.

That sounds like a Very good description of what I'm experiencing. They
leave a lot of small rough scabs in the affected areas. Did yours start
out as small "pimples" as well?

I currently have it around my neck, around nipples, on my back, and on my
upper torso. They're damn itchy and irritating.

Hope they don't last two months like the first time.. :-/

Quoted message said:

I figured it to be possibly yeast dieoff. If it was allergy, it would not
have gone away, since I was still eating the same foods.

Exactly.

--
Anonymous

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

That sounds like a Very good description of what I'm experiencing. They
leave a lot of small rough scabs in the affected areas. Did yours start
out as small "pimples" as well?

Mostly very small, with some larger patches. Mine were more like a crusty
eczema-type thing, though as I remember. It's been a long time now.

Quoted message said:

I currently have it around my neck, around nipples, on my back, and on my
upper torso. They're damn itchy and irritating.

Hope they don't last two months like the first time.. :-/

Those are the areas I remember being affected, except not my neck. Mine
didn't last too long, the active phase only a week or so, with residual
scabbiness that lasted longer. If your's lasts very long without going away,
I'd be suspicious of allergy. And I suppose allergy can coexist with yeast
effects. If you start suspecting allergy, an elimination diet is the easiest
way to ferret out the offending foods.

HG

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On 2006-01-08, OmManiPadmeOmelet <[email hidden]> wrote:

snip

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It's most likely a food allergy.

It's probably not. It only happens when I'm loosing weight fast (i.e when
I'm following the diet strictly - which I do until the weight evens out -
then I continue following the diet.. but the spots disappear).

Quoted message said:

Google for common food allergens and go from there.

Been through some testinng there. All negative. I'm simply not allergic
to any common food.

snip

As Om noted in her reply, food allergy tests are not 100% accurate. I've
been tested as negative for food allergies, but I get hives if I eat
pistachios. Hmmm....do you think I believe the doctor or the itchy red
welts? :-)

You say you are eating the same foods when low-carbing, which I am
interpreting to mean that you aren't eating any foods you don't normally
eat. Fair enough. BUT, the composition of your diet has changed in that you
are probably eating a lot *more* of the low-carb foods, such as eggs and
cheese.

Allergies and food intolerances are dose-dependent. While some people have
severe allergies that are triggered by practically any exposure to the
allergen, lots more people have mild to moderate allergies or food
intolerances that are not symptomatic unless they eat a lot of a particular
food.

While the yeast die-off theory makes some sense, if your problem continues
for more than a few weeks, I'd try an elimination diet. Eggs and dairy are
your most likely culprits.

Good luck!

In article <[email hidden]>,

Laura said:

Allergies and food intolerances are dose-dependent. While some people have
severe allergies that are triggered by practically any exposure to the
allergen, lots more people have mild to moderate allergies or food
intolerances that are not symptomatic unless they eat a lot of a particular
food.

Absoultely!!!
My wheat sensitivity/allergy is like that.
A little is ok.
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

"rapsmom1" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Sounds like yeast die off to me. The yeasts that lived on your skin
are dying because you are starving them by lowering your carb intake.
It gets really red and itchy and then In a couple days it should
resolve.
Jennifer

I don't understand why some low-carb dieters would have this condition and
others would not.

Pat

Quoted message said: