Awful Rash

[Buttercup]

I mentioned in some threads that my neck was itchy. I thought it was from dry skin. I used regular lotion for a few days and it went away. Soooo, I figured I couldn't use baby oil on my neck and chest.

Now I have the most God awful rasied, burning, itching rash on both of my arms. I have stopped using baby oil, thinking it could be an allergic reaction to it.

But, it's not getting better, and I have to wonder if it's the drops. If it is, I cannot continue this. This is truly awful; it's like poison ivy, only I have not been anywhere near any gardening for two weeks because I had hurt my back and had bad sciatica.

Has anybody heard of this experience from the hHCG drops?

[privatediva]

I had a rash my second week. I tend to get rashes on my neck as a reaction to many (any) things. Even stress. But I used some Desonide (cortisone cream) on it and it got better after about three days. So it wasn't a true allergic reaction or it wouldn't have gotten better unless I stopped the drops. But anything new will make me have a skin reaction there. I also took some benadryl to settle down the histaminic response. If you have *any* other symptoms...burning or itching in your mouth, feeling of anything swelling etc, you could be having an actual allergic reaction...don't mess with that, call a dr REAL quick. But if you can get ahold of some hydrocortisone cream and the rash doesn't get worse, you may be having one of my kind of weird skin reactions.

[nmbnancy]

Some people have had rashes occur and have felt they were a detox rash. You might want to search the threads and see if they were similar to yours.

[Buttercup]

The drops have created a situation where I cannot be in the sun. As soon as I am in the sun, even for just seconds, my rash just starts propagating.

This round is over for me; I had to run from church to my car and keep my arms out of the sun. As soon as the sun touched me, I got worse. It's a gorgeous weekend here on the Island and I am sitting inside like a vampire.

I will be back again when I finish my semester next spring, before the whether warms up and while it's busy being cloudy and rainy.

It's just so disappointing and silly. Go figure.

[shelbyla]

It's not the drops per se, it's the low-carb. This is classic detox rash. It's a yeast reaction that is often exacerbated by the sun. You are right that it is worse with heat/sun but if you're prone to it, you might experience it even without the sun. You might want to try slowly decreasing carbs from your diet or doing some sort of yeast cleanse in the meantime. Sorry you're going through this!

[Solstyce]

I had an itchy rash under my left arms for about 2-3 weeks when I started the diet. I also woke up a few days ago with what looked like hives in 5 places on my arms (large, raised patches). The hives went away that same day.

[terriblerashhcg]

Hi there, Ive been on the HCG oral diet for 27 days now! And love it! I have dropped 17.1lbs and haven't been so happy, But I have 20lbs to go yet? The other day I thought I had a heat rash on my back as I had hot packs on my neck for 30 mins...but there not going away? terrible, itchy, large welts and spots everywhere! Just came back from the Drs and they said its caused from extra stress that your body is going through? Gave me cream..and hoping it will go away? DO I continue taking the drops? He wants me to put Carbs back into my diet, as my body needs them? I read on hear people say its tetox? and or yeast..but my Drs said its not do to yeast? So confused? and my rash is my whole back and is horrible? any advice would be so appreciated?

[C'Marie]

Originally Posted by terriblerashhcg

Hi there, Ive been on the HCG oral diet for 27 days now! And love it! I have dropped 17.1lbs and haven't been so happy, But I have 20lbs to go yet? The other day I thought I had a heat rash on my back as I had hot packs on my neck for 30 mins...but there not going away? terrible, itchy, large welts and spots everywhere! Just came back from the Drs and they said its caused from extra stress that your body is going through? Gave me cream..and hoping it will go away? DO I continue taking the drops? He wants me to put Carbs back into my diet, as my body needs them? I read on hear people say its tetox? and or yeast..but my Drs said its not do to yeast? So confused? and my rash is my whole back and is horrible? any advice would be so appreciated?

None of us can give you medical advice. I had a rash on my first round and I used aloe vera, the actual clear stuff with nothing else in it, until it went away. I believe it was detox, my body getting rid of the toxins in the food I had been eating. My 2nd round, I decided to use a hyracortisone cream and it went away quickly. But I had way less toxins because between Round 1 and Round 2 I barely had any sugars at all so I think there was much less detox to be done.

You could always transition to P3 since you've been on P2 for more than the minimum days and use the cream for awhile and take a break and see if it clears up. However, if you are following protocol and you want to keep those pounds off, you cannot add starch or sugar carbs for 3 weeks. Yes, your body "needs" some carbs but they can come from healthy veggies and some fruits, which if you are following the original protocol in Pounds and Inches you would already be eating. Leaving starches and sugars is temporary. Doctors always seem to forget that part. However, some of us choose to live without most starchy carbs for life, believing that we feel better that way.

Again, none of us can give you medical advice. These are just my observations.

[terriblerashhcg]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

None of us can give you medical advice. I had a rash on my first round and I used aloe vera, the actual clear stuff with nothing else in it, until it went away. I believe it was detox, my body getting rid of the toxins in the food I had been eating. My 2nd round, I decided to use a hyracortisone cream and it went away quickly. But I had way less toxins because between Round 1 and Round 2 I barely had any sugars at all so I think there was much less detox to be done.

You could always transition to P3 since you've been on P2 for more than the minimum days and use the cream for awhile and take a break and see if it clears up. However, if you are following protocol and you want to keep those pounds off, you cannot add starch or sugar carbs for 3 weeks. Yes, your body "needs" some carbs but they can come from healthy veggies and some fruits, which if you are following the original protocol in Pounds and Inches you would already be eating. Leaving starches and sugars is temporary. Doctors always seem to forget that part. However, some of us choose to live without most starchy carbs for life, believing that we feel better that way.

Again, none of us can give you medical advice. These are just my observations.

Im so lost! and thankyou so much for your much needed advice! Heres the thing...I don't think I know what the 1st, 2nd or 3rd protocol are? I just have drops that I bought from the health food store? Had to do a two day load day, start drops, 1st bottle lasted 25 days, and now I'm on my 2nd bottle??? morning take 10 drops, eat an apple 45 mins later..1ish 10 more drops eat turkey or shrimp with my pick of veggies ( only ) broccoli, or cucumbers, or tomatoes ...the repeat at dinner time??????? Im I doing something wrong??? Thats all I eat? I don't like red meat, fish etc...love tuna but says I can't have it? and I drink lots of water?? no nothing on my veggies etc....kinda gross! lol

[jt_gmotu]

Originally Posted by terriblerashhcg

Im so lost! and thankyou so much for your much needed advice! Heres the thing...I don't think I know what the 1st, 2nd or 3rd protocol are? I just have drops that I bought from the health food store? Had to do a two day load day, start drops, 1st bottle lasted 25 days, and now I'm on my 2nd bottle??? morning take 10 drops, eat an apple 45 mins later..1ish 10 more drops eat turkey or shrimp with my pick of veggies ( only ) broccoli, or cucumbers, or tomatoes ...the repeat at dinner time??????? Im I doing something wrong??? Thats all I eat? I don't like red meat, fish etc...love tuna but says I can't have it? and I drink lots of water?? no nothing on my veggies etc....kinda gross! lol

Buttercup,

It sounds like you don't have a copy of the original Pounds and Inches (P&I) Book. it will explain all the missing information you don't have. The specified foods you can have on the first part of the protocol (what we refer to as Phase 2 or P2), are listed here.

On the P2 section of the Protocol, which is typically between 21-40 days long, you will eat 1 fruit, 1 veggie, 1 starch, and 1 protein twice a day. No fats, no sauces.

You can split these up, but you're supposed to limit yourself to those types of foods and the amounts specified.

There are specific lists of what foods that you CAN and CAN NOT have on the protocol. All of these will impact your results. There is alot of mis-information out there on the internet. If you start with P&I, you can't go wrong.

If you save the book on your computer, you can then print it out and read and highlight...

Hope you're feeling better soon.

[terriblerashhcg]

Thankyou so very much! Ive been so upset with this horrible rash, just hoping it doesn't spread more! starting to get on my chest I will read the book Thankyou for helping a total stranger Have you experienced this before? Do know if I need to stop? Im 20 pounds from my goal weight!! haven't been this happy for a long while...then this!

[Crazy PreK Teacher]

I have had some itching & rash on my feet & hands when I first start back on HCG each time. What is funny is that each pregnancy (2 m/c's and 2 living births) I always break out in a rash about a week after ovulation...so I always figured out I was preggo before taking any tests...lol. But the rash usually disappeared a week or two later. I guess my body reacts to HCG.

[jt_gmotu]

Originally Posted by terriblerashhcg

Thankyou so very much! Ive been so upset with this horrible rash, just hoping it doesn't spread more! starting to get on my chest Thankyou for helping a total stranger Have you experienced this before? Do know if I need to stop? Im 20 pounds from my goal weight!! haven't been this happy for a long while...then this!

Hi Buttercup!

No, I haven't experienced the rash.

As to helping a total stranger, we're almost all new to each other on this board...and yet there are aready lots of friendships that have grown...
Glad to hear you are so close to your goal weight, I am still at least 65 lbs away from my goal...so I'll definitely be around while you lose yours.

Hope you can find some answers...or...alternatively, hope something like calamine lotion or some of the other suggested items help, if you're itchy.

[terriblerashhcg]

Originally Posted by jt_gmotu

Hi Buttercup!

No, I haven't experienced the rash.

As to helping a total stranger, we're almost all new to each other on this board...and yet there are aready lots of friendships that have grown...
Glad to hear you are so close to your goal weight, I am still at least 65 lbs away from my goal...so I'll definitely be around while you lose yours.

Hope you can find some answers...or...alternatively, hope something like calamine lotion or some of the other suggested items help, if you're itchy.

Thankyou so much! Ive never been on a chat before, but was feeling like I needed support! Im hoping I can keep this up, but if my rash gets worse I will have to stop...its almost unbearable now! Not able to sleep at night, just got cream prescription, only allows to use twice, held off the itch for a few hours!!! Now what, I have to stay itchy? Been reading a lot, might have a detox bath tonight? But just hoping the hot water won't make me worse on my rash? I wish you all the lucy with your goal weight! Its going to happen! I have 20 to go...Ill be so happy if this clears up and I can get there!!!!

[minimonkey]

Buttercup --

That appears to be a book by a doctor who has rewritten the original protocol with some changes. Take it at your own risk -- a lot of people swear by the original protocol, while other favor newer versions of it, and often do reasonably well on them.

What you probably want to read is the original Pounds and Inches, by Dr. Simeons -- that will acquaint you with the protocol as it was written by the doctor who developed it... I will see if I can find the link for that...

[minimonkey]

For itching, try a poultice of baking soda and water -- I swear it is like a miracle! Make a paste and put it on the affected area -- it is messy, but man is it a huge relief!

[minimonkey]

You can download the original manuscript here:

4shared.com - free file sharing and storage

[C'Marie]

I agree with mini saying the baking soda helps. Get in a cool tub and put that in there with you as well - you could be having a reaction to something completely different or it could be a detox. In any event, you've been long enough to take a break if you want to and do P3 (or maintenance 1) where you eat NO sugar and NO starch for 3 weeks - or you could just do a small, planned interruption and see if the rash calms down. We can walk you through that if you want to try that.

Like Jodie said, we'll be here for awhile! LOL I've lost about 100 pounds and I'm at it again - have to re-lose some that I've gained when my hormones went wacky and then I have about 20 more to lose after that. Keep asking all the questions you need to, girl! Someone will jump in when they have time. We're a friendly bunch!

[terriblerashhcg]

Went to another Doctor today, and I have a skin yeast infection ( Candidiasis)! So they put me on meds ( thank goodness) It can be caused from severe change in diet, no carbs or low cal diet!
Im still going to continue one, I just have too! You all are doing so great! wow 100 lbs, that is behind fantatic! Im having troubles losing weight, 8 days and only a lb...but it will come, i know it will! Had a detox bath last night, didn't do anything for me? But relaxing was nice Thankyou all so much...and best of luck continuing on our journey!!!! I WILL not give up!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by terriblerashhcg

Went to another Doctor today, and I have a skin yeast infection ( Candidiasis)! So they put me on meds ( thank goodness) It can be caused from severe change in diet, no carbs or low cal diet!

That is what a detox reaction is!!! A severe change in diet can bring it about. A lot of doctors don't believe you can get a yeast rash other than your private area so glad to see you found one that believes it can be anywhere on your body! It is a detox you are suffering from. All that yeast is coming out of your body any way it can and the biggest way it can come out---your skin! Good thing is you know it will go away. hugs to you in hoping it goes away quickly.

[minimonkey]

Yes, as dawn says, it is difficult to find a doctor who believes that candida can become systemic -- though natural health practitioners have known this for many years.

Since you have a diagnosed condition, and your doctor agrees that it is candida, you might want to do some reading on systemic candida infestation, and the ways to heal it. I have spent literally YEARS healing mine (caused by a compromised immune system from Lyme disease, and made much worse by being on high-dose antibiotics for three years treating the Lyme) -- systemic candida does a lot of damage to the whole body, but most particularly to the digestive tract.

The good news is that it can be healed -- the bad news is that it often takes a long time and a lot of concerted effort to do it. BUT, it is worth it!

If you can tolerate coconut oil, that is an excellent anti-candida agent -- that, and a lot of good probiotics and a totally grain/sugar free diet, are what finally got rid of the candida problem with me. There are a lot of herbal supplements that help, too.

Coconut oil on the skin rash would help tremendously, but I don't know how strict you are being about protocol, which doesn't allow for that.

What meds did the doctor put you on?

[minimonkey]

Oh, I meant to say -- the detox reaction from candida can cause a lot of inflammation, which might be stalling the scale for you. Hang tough ... the stall will pass eventually.

[Arctic_Mama]

Excellent advice, Mini! A naturopath would be best to treat this if it is extensive, and coconut oil along with a ketogenic diet are good measures to take at home to manage candida, but the reactions may be severe for the first week or so!

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by terriblerashhcg

Went to another Doctor today, and I have a skin yeast infection ( Candidiasis)! So they put me on meds ( thank goodness) It can be caused from severe change in diet, no carbs or low cal diet!
Im still going to continue one, I just have too! You all are doing so great! wow 100 lbs, that is behind fantatic! Im having troubles losing weight, 8 days and only a lb...but it will come, i know it will! Had a detox bath last night, didn't do anything for me? But relaxing was nice Thankyou all so much...and best of luck continuing on our journey!!!! I WILL not give up!

DETOX yup! and you have had great losses, you are probably playing catch up with the slow down! keep on,keeping on use the cool water and baking soda baths as needed
read the original P&I a lot! and then re read it keep up with your water and read over these threads for helpful hints and who knows ? your exact situation may have a solution in one of them

TIPS FOR P2 OF DR. SIMEONS PROTOCOL

HCG diet short form

[minimonkey]

If the candida infestation is truly severe, the detox can be brutal and really long lasting. I was going through die-off for the better portion of a year, but the worst of it was over after a couple of months.

Yes, a naturopath would be ideal -- failing that, there are a lot of good protocols out there that can be self-administered, on a try-it-and-see basis. Systemic candida can be really serious if left untreated -- I'm glad a few of the mainstream doctors are starting to recognize that it is a valid condition, and not some craziness drummed up by hysterical women, as was the prevailing view for far too long!

I suspect systemic candida is one of the most undiagnosed/misdiagnosed conditions that exists, and I also suspect it is much more widespread than most people suspect. The standard American diet is almost a prescription for candida overgrowth!

I am stepping away from my soapbox now, lest I fill up the next five pages with my preaching...lol!

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Arctic_Mama

Excellent advice, Mini! A naturopath would be best to treat this if it is extensive, and coconut oil along with a ketogenic diet are good measures to take at home to manage candida, but the reactions may be severe for the first week or so!

But remember---NO OILS on P2!! Hold off on the coconut oil til P2 is over. Then you can have it on P3.

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

If the candida infestation is truly severe, the detox can be brutal and really long lasting. I was going through die-off for the better portion of a year, but the worst of it was over after a couple of months.

Yes, a naturopath would be ideal -- failing that, there are a lot of good protocols out there that can be self-administered, on a try-it-and-see basis. Systemic candida can be really serious if left untreated -- I'm glad a few of the mainstream doctors are starting to recognize that it is a valid condition, and not some craziness drummed up by hysterical women, as was the prevailing view for far too long!

I suspect systemic candida is one of the most undiagnosed/misdiagnosed conditions that exists, and I also suspect it is much more widespread than most people suspect. The standard American diet is almost a prescription for candida overgrowth!

I am stepping away from my soapbox now, lest I fill up the next five pages with my preaching...lol!

[terriblerashhcg]

Thankyou all so much for all your information! Ive now had my rash for 5 days, feels a bit calmer today not as red and angry!
Like I said I went to the Dr and she didn't know much about the candida infection, she as well said how hard it is to diagnose...But she said she would take my word on it! As I had been doing a lot of research on it! she gave me a week worth of pills called "apo-ketoconazole 200mg" I so hope this is what it is, but its scaring me reading that it might take years to heal???
I just got this from my low cal diet ( didn't I)???? Have a harmed myself? Heres the at home test I did to determine if it is the skin yeast infection...My test was text book perfect to the home test!

a simple test you can do at home

1st thing in the morning before you put anything in your mouth, get a clear glass if water fill it up. work up your saliva then spit into the glass of water. Chech the water after a moment, and the following 15-20 minute.
If you have the candida yeast infection you will see strings, like cloudy legs, travelling down into the water from the saliva floating on the top! cloudy saliva will sink to the bottom of the glass, or a cloudy specks will seem to be suspended in the water.
if there are no strings and water is clear as it was before you spit in it the glass and saliva is still floating after at least an hour, your candida yeast free!
The more strings and cloudiness there is and the faster it develops! the greater the growth!!!
Well I had many stings
Kinda scaring myself now? What should I do! Im on meds and still on my diet! I just don't want to give up! The meds should take it all away????

[minimonkey]

Ketoconazole is a systemic anti-fungal, and it does work really well (I've taken it)-- a full week of it should have you feeling a lot better!

I wouldn't count on it "taking it all away" -- but it is a start.

My advice -- and I am not a doctor -- is to stay on the diet, and also stay on the meds. The theory (which I believe to be true) is that the yeast was present in your body before, and was causing low-level health problems that you didn't necessarily realize were happening (weight gain, fatigue, often intestinal problems, aches and pains, and so forth).

When yeast starts dying off, it often starts causing more acute symptoms, like painful rashes. The die-off is a good thing -- you want the yeast levels in your body to decrease -- and staying on the diet will help facilitate that.

Seriously, I urge you to do some major reading about systemic candida infections. You'll find a whole spectrum of opinions -- from mainstream medical doctors debunking the whole notion to people who believe that candida is the root cause of most diseases.

There is a long thread, somewhere on here, about candida -- I think it is in the section about health concerns.

If yeast is indeed your problem, it is great that you've identified it, so that you can get to the business of healing it. Don't expect it to go away over night, though -- healing a truly systemic infection takes time, and it takes effort.

I'll see if I can find the link to the candida thread...

[minimonkey]

Here you go -- lots to read here!

Candida and Yeast - Low Carb Friends