When you change the way you eat, you run the risk of causing reactions to occur in your body. Introducing new foods may cause an allergic reaction to occur. Anytime you consider participating in a dietary change, talk with your doctor before implementing the diet. At the first sign of a rash, call your doctor. Some rashes are easily treated with over-the-counter drugs, while others may be a sign of a severe allergic reaction that could be deadly.
Allergic Rashes
Whenever you eat new foods, you are at risk of developing an allergic reaction. When you eat a new food, your immune system assesses if the proteins in the food are safe or harmful for the body. If your immune system mistakes one of the new proteins as dangerous, it will attack the proteins with antibodies to defend and protect the body. Allergic rashes are commonly the first symptoms to develop during an allergic reaction. Hives, eczema and general skin irritation are the most common food allergy-related rashes, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Types
Hives can develop anywhere on your body, but typically they form on your face, arms and legs from a food allergy. Hives can form in any shape and size as clusters of welts that are itchy and red and have defined borders. Hives can move and join together in a matter of minutes for no apparent reason. This skin reaction does not cause further complications, but it may be a sign of a severe allergy. Eczema is a rash that produces small blisters anywhere on the body that are itchy and can form patches of dry skin. Applying hydrocortisone cream and taking an oral antihistamine may help alleviate these allergy rashes.
Dietary Journal
Keeping a dietary journal can help identify which foods are triggering your rash symptoms. Document what you eat, how much of it you eat and how it affects your body for two weeks. Share the information with your doctor to help identify which foods may be causing an allergic reaction. Your doctor may instruct you to eliminate the suspected foods for one week and then reintroduce them one at a time.
Exercise Consideration
If increased exercise is a part of your diet, excessive exercise may be the cause of your rash. Heat rash is a rash that occurs when you exert yourself but your sweat pores are clogged, restricting your body from sweating as usual. Allow your body to cool down, and the rash should subside. Chafing, another common rash that can form from increased physical activity, typically occurs under your arms or between your legs from excessive friction.
