#192 TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN

Although it’s rare, “keto rash,” which is officially called Prurigo pigmentosa, can affect some people on the keto diet. If you do get keto rash, it usually presents as a red, itchy rash around the torso and neck. While Prurigo pigmentosa typically goes away on its own as your body adjusts to ketosis, there are some things you can do to make yourself more comfortable if you do get it, or to prevent it from coming back:

1. 1. Prevent unnecessary sweating. Wear comfortable clothing that’s appropriate for the temperature. If you have access to air-conditioning, use it whenever possible.
2. 2. Let your skin breathe. Make sure your clothes aren’t too tight. Loose cotton clothing is best.
3. 3. Slow it down. Scale back on your workout intensity until your skin clears up. Sweat can exacerbate skin rashes, so choose lower-intensity exercises, like resistance training, over higher-intensity exercises, like HIIT workouts, until you’re in the clear.
4. 4. Shower soon after exercising. Typically, you’ll continue sweating for a while even after your workout is done, so wait until you’re done sweating and then take a cool shower.
5. 5. Switch to nontoxic products. Toxins in skin care products can irritate the skin and build up in the body, causing skin issues and other health problems.

If your rash persists, temporarily coming out of ketosis by upping your carbs slightly can help. This doesn’t mean that you can’t do keto, but if you’re uncomfortable, this can provide some quick relief for now while you start over and ease yourself into ketosis again a little more slowly.