Kava Dermopathy

[kl.Gray Owl]

I wonder if I'm having a reaction to unstrained kava. It seems very similar to what some of you have written about - red puffy face that feels hot like a sunburn with itchy red stomach and back. Had some raised spots on stomach and back but they have gone down since taking the benadryl. It's very weird and I just want to figure out what's causing it. Nothing unusual in my diet lately except lots of strawberries, some fenugreek cheese, and unstrained (very finely ground so didn't bother) kava. I'm starting to think it's the kava because of the "sunburn" similarity. Didn't drink a lot either - about 20 oz. What do you all think?

Interesting, same thing happened to me last week with WOW! and one thing I did differently was I only used the coarse strainer (a jelly strainer actually) usually I use the coarse strainer first so the bits don't clog the fine strainer and that makes it easier to get through the fine strainer.  I've noticed that effects are longer-lasting without the fine strainer I think due to a sort of time-released reaction from the insoluble bits, but I guess it's more likely to cause a reaction.  It's also telling that it was a delayed reaction, I drank around 8pm and the reaction happened around 4am, Benadryl and a soak in the tub cleared it up but I felt crappy that whole day.  I found a post by chuckboycejr in another thread describing the same thing, also with WOW!  I think WOW! is a bit more like wichmanii or maybe it's a blend that contains it.
http://kavalounge.yuku.co...ply/2328/doing-the-Fu-u-

I think the fact that it's usually short lasting reaction and responds to Benadryl makes it sound more like allergy vs. dermopathy I think of as a more persistent and less acute thing that feels more like eczema when I've had it.  Also the malar flushing is typically a histamine thing i.e. red flushing on cheeks across the bridge of the nose.

 

[Buddhacide]

Ive been taking kava off and on for years, and I find it most convenient and effective to "toss and wash" with some lecithin other ingredients to make it more palatable. I have never had a problem in the past. I am not a heavy user, basically just weekend use and even then not every weekend. Yesterday was a record breaking hot day and when I got home and undressed to shower I noticed I was COVERED in little red splotches - pretty much everywhere except my face. They are not particularly itchy or uncomfortable, but it freaked me out. I'm trying to determine if this is a heat rash or the kava. The only kava I had prior to it happening was a small spoonful of  the BKH instant green. I barely felt it. Is kava dermopathy something that can appear out of nowhere like this? Or is it most likely a heat rash? I have never had a reaction to the heat before, but it was especially hot (40 degrees c +).

 

[Vekta]

That sounds like one of the many forms of heat rash to me. Full on heat rash specially given the fact that it's 40c where you are and it occurred on most of your body that was covered.(Unless you live in a nudist colony...do you...wait don't answer that...just in case(smiley: laugh)). YUCK! That's hot.

 

[kl.Gray Owl]

Also, when I have had what I think is kava dermopathy it has been itchy and looked more like eczema or psoriasis.

 

[Buddhacide]

Thanks, it was bloody hot, especially for Canada, lol. Thanks, I'll keep an eye on it and see if it gets worse.

 

[Ed!]

If you had any alcohol it could also be an alcohol flush reaction. That has happened to me... not itchy, just blotch red all around old acne spots, scars, elbows, face.

 

[Buddhacide]

I drink a fair bit but I've never had anything like this.

 

[kl.KarmaG]

Sounds like heat rash to me. How are you feeling today?

 

[Buddhacide]

I feel fine. Rash is still there though

 

[Ed!]

Oh, probably not the alcohol flush thing then, that was pretty momentary, for me anyway..... hmm.

 

[kl.pep]

Hmm, yea i've been itchy the last several kava sessions and notice red lines forming around my belly...almost look like stretch marks a bit. I may have to back off for a bit and see if this shit goes away.

 

[Paradise Kava]

Possible Causes of skin irritation:
- Source + Origin of Kava and how it's raised (pesticide + herbicide residue in root causing breakouts?)
- Some people do break out in the worst case of Hives because of kava. Rare but prevalent. Reversible. Seen 2 cases in almost 8 years, so it's rare.
- Kava is a "hot" root, in the sense that it creates a feeling of excess heat in the body, thus may be causing the heat rash. Friends from Pohnpei will step in the rain after kava sessions to cool off. It IS part of the Pepper family so it makes sense.
A.G

 

[The Kap'n]

For me it appeared in scales. They were in a sort of leopard pattern and were predominately on my back and legs. My skin was a flake factory too. I switched from drinking straight powdered root to the traditional method and it went away for the most part.

 

[Paradise Kava]

aha! Kapm, the scaling of skin on leg area is a sign of pride in some hard core (gallon + a day) drinkers I know.

Silly as it may sound, these guys are really into it. However, their bodies are most likely severely depleted in electrolytes and hydration in general.

 

[krunkedout]

aha! Kapm, the scaling of skin on leg area is a sign of pride in some hard core (gallon + a day) drinkers I know.
Silly as it may sound, these guys are really into it. However, their bodies are most likely severely depleted in electrolytes and hydration in general.

a gallon plus a day!? Wow. Their reverse tolerance must have dropped into the negative numbers by now.

 

[kavalover]

If I ever get a scaly skin type of look I will definitely come here to brag to you guys