Selenium is a trace mineral found throughout your body, and it is needed for a variety of functions. While not getting enough selenium can be detrimental to your health, ingesting too much can cause a rash and other adverse side effects. Talk to your doctor before increasing your intake of selenium or any mineral, and seek medical attention if you develop a rash or other signs of selenium toxicity.
Function of Selenium
Selenium helps your body make proteins that protect your cells from damage, and it also keeps your immune system strong. It works with vitamin E to rid your body of harmful environmental pollutants that can lead to premature aging, as well as conditions like heart disease. By following a healthy dietary regimen, you should be able to meet the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for selenium, which is 55 mcg for adults, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Rash and Signs of Overdose
Selenosis, which results from selenium toxicity, is rare in the United States. If you overdose on this mineral, it will most likely be because you have taken too many supplements over a long period of time. A skin rash is a sign of selenosis. Other symptoms of selenium overdose include itchy skin, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, irritability, a garlic odor on your breath and sweat, fatigue and weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms of a selenium overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
Supplements and Upper Limits
If you cannot meet the RDA for selenium through your diet, your doctor may recommend supplements, but discuss proper dosing and follow his instructions carefully. To avoid developing a rash and other side effects of too much selenium, do not exceed the tolerable upper limit for selenium supplements, which is 400 mcg a day, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Never exceed the RDA of selenium or any mineral without your physician's consent.
Additional Considerations
Your doctor may prescribe 200 mcg of selenium daily to treat certain conditions, but consuming this amount can increase your chances of developing diabetes and high cholesterol. If you have hypothyroidism or skin cancer, do not increase your intake of selenium without discussing it with a doctor. If you develop a rash or other sign of a selenium overdose, stop taking the mineral and see your doctor. However, keep in mind that skin rashes can occur for a variety of reasons and may not necessarily be associated with your mineral intake. Tell your doctor if you develop a rash, rather than attempt to self-diagnose and treat the problem on your own.
