Kava Fact of the Day Kava Extract Rash

[The Kap'n]

Kava Extract Rash

On the kava platforms we see various experiences related to kava, and sometimes we see negative experiences that don’t have much of an explanation. Today I’d like to attempt to explain one of these issues and that is the skin rash we sometimes see.

Today we’re going to look at a short study from 2014. A 55 year old man had been taking kava in the form of traditional root powder, and a sublingual kava concentrate along with citalopram (Celexa). After 2-3 weeks he found himself experiencing a red rash that included small bumps. They were concentrated on the chest, face, and back which correlates with high density areas of sebaceous glands.

It is thought that kavalactones, being lipophilic, accumulate in sebaceous glands. In some predisposed consumers this can cause what is known as a lymphocytic attack. In this scenario certain cells attack the sebaceous glands, and cause inflammation and reddening around these areas. Regular kava consumption leads to the buildup of kavalactones at these sites, and this is where celexa (citalopram) may have come into play. Generally kava will break down and be flushed from the body through the metabolization enzyme CYP2D6. Celexa uses this same pathway to metabolize and may be causing kavalactones to build up in the body, causing the overconcentration at sebaceous glands.

Timing is an important aspect in this scenario, as most people who experience this will have several weeks of regular kava consumption until they’re met with these side effects. The kava consumer in the study had consumed kava for 3 weeks prior to this happening. Researchers re-exposed the patient to kava and the patient reported the rash beginning to emerge again, so this was confirmed as being due to kava with a positive re-exposure.

This seems to be a standard play of events, so if you find yourself about 2-3 weeks into drinking kava, and notice a rash that looks like niacin flush (red splotches, small bumps), kavalactone buildup at your sebaceous glands may be the culprit.

Huynh, J. C., M. M. Asgari, and M. M. Moore. 2014. “Sebotropic Eruption Associated with Use of Oral Kava Kava Supplement.” Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 39 (7): 816–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/ced.12439
https://sci-hub.st/10.1111/ced.12439

 

[Alia]

Kava Rash

On the kava platforms we see various experiences related to kava, and sometimes we see negative experiences that don’t have much of an explanation. Today I’d like to attempt to explain one of these issues and that is the skin rash we sometimes see.

Today we’re going to look at a short study from 2014. A 55 year old man had been taking kava in the form of traditional root powder, and a sublingual kava concentrate along with citalopram (Celexa). After 2-3 weeks he found himself experiencing a red rash that included small bumps. They were concentrated on the chest, face, and back which correlates with high density areas of sebaceous glands.

It is thought that kavalactones, being lipophilic, accumulate in sebaceous glands. In some predisposed consumers this can cause what is known as a lymphocytic attack. In this scenario certain cells attack the sebaceous glands, and cause inflammation and reddening around these areas. Regular kava consumption leads to the buildup of kavalactones at these sites, and this is where celexa (citalopram) may have come into play. Generally kava will break down and be flushed from the body through the metabolization enzyme CYP2D6. Celexa uses this same pathway to metabolize and may be causing kavalactones to build up in the body, causing the overconcentration at sebaceous glands.

Timing is an important aspect in this scenario, as most people who experience this will have several weeks of regular kava consumption until they’re met with these side effects. The kava consumer in the study had consumed kava for 3 weeks prior to this happening. Researchers re-exposed the patient to kava and the patient reported the rash beginning to emerge again, so this was confirmed as being due to kava with a positive re-exposure.

This seems to be a standard play of events, so if you find yourself about 2-3 weeks into drinking kava, and notice a rash that looks like niacin flush (red splotches, small bumps), kavalactone buildup at your sebaceous glands may be the culprit.

Huynh, J. C., M. M. Asgari, and M. M. Moore. 2014. “Sebotropic Eruption Associated with Use of Oral Kava Kava Supplement.” Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 39 (7): 816–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/ced.12439
https://sci-hub.st/10.1111/ced.12439

Am I missing something, isn't the issue here the combination of aqueous kava beverage, celexa, AND a kava concentrate?
I am wondering why/where this combination mutated to "kava" ? Which seems to ultimately end up being the focus.
"taking kava in the form of traditional root powder, and a sublingual kava concentrate along with citalopram (Celexa)."
Just for the fun of it I went and looked up Celexa (by itself now!) side effects.
It is something I might read to my grand-niece at Halloween just to scare her, well no it might be too terrifying.

 

[The Kap'n]

Am I missing something, isn't the issue here the combination of aqueous kava beverage, celexa, AND a kava concentrate?
I am wondering why/where this combination mutated to "kava" ? Which seems to ultimately end up being the focus.
"taking kava in the form of traditional root powder, and a sublingual kava concentrate along with citalopram (Celexa)."
Just for the fun of it I went and looked up Celexa (by itself now!) side effects.
It is something I might read to my grand-niece at Halloween just to scare her, well no it might be too terrifying.

That's true, and I wanted to highlight that, but the many other cases of this see the same pattern. 2-3 weeks of usage before this develops. It's good to know, as I've seen people recently report on it. It also seems quite rare.

Here's one instance that MAY be related to this.

 

[Alia]

That's true, and I wanted to highlight that, but the many other cases of this see the same pattern. 2-3 weeks of usage before this develops. It's good to know, as I've seen people recently report on it. It also seems quite rare.

Here's one instance that MAY be related to this.

My point is that you have cited a specific paper in the 1st Kava Rash fact-of-the-day .
That paper lists other items the patient was taking.
The reddit post may be problematic if the person isn't revealing other relevant facts
regarding his medical history.
I am not aware if the "Kava Rash" is a regularly studied phenomena .

 

[The Kap'n]

My point is that you have cited a specific paper in the 1st Kava Rash fact-of-the-day .
That paper lists other items the patient was taking.
The reddit post may be problematic if the person isn't revealing other relevant facts
regarding his medical history.
I am not aware if the "Kava Rash" is a regularly studied phenomena .

While this paper may suffer from the same flaws as my original post, it has several more examples of this skin effect occurring 2-3 weeks into kava consumption (extracts for these)

Stevinson, Clare, Alyson Huntley, and Edzard Ernst. 2002. “A Systematic Review of the Safety of Kava Extract in the Treatment of Anxiety.” Drug Safety: An International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Drug Experience 25 (4): 251–61. https://doi.org/10.2165/00002018-200225040-00003.

 

[Jacob Bula]

As an anecdote, about twice a year I get a red bumpy rash when I overconsume kava and take a break. It happens a few days after I stop. Never had it before drinking kava.

 

[Alia]

While this paper may suffer from the same flaws as my original post, it has several more examples of this skin effect occurring 2-3 weeks into kava consumption (extracts for these)

Stevinson, Clare, Alyson Huntley, and Edzard Ernst. 2002. “A Systematic Review of the Safety of Kava Extract in the Treatment of Anxiety.” Drug Safety: An International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Drug Experience 25 (4): 251–61. https://doi.org/10.2165/00002018-200225040-00003.

It is an image thing. As Fact of the Day, "Kava Rash" should read- "Kava Extract Rash" because the relation to aqueous kava on its own as a causal agent is non-existant.

 

[The Kap'n]

It is an image thing. As Fact of the Day, "Kava Rash" should read- "Kava Extract Rash" because the relation to aqueous kava on its own as a causal agent is non-existant.

10-4. Swapped that out

 

[avahZ]

Basic rule for (basic but there are other nuances) kava consumption for me. I try to avoid any combinations that can overload my liver in the same session. For example high blood pressure meds, grapefruit, Tylenol, kava, etc. I space them out. There is still a risk of build up, so far my liver panel test are fine. I did have one borderline test; however, that was soon after Covid and a ton of meds they put me on. Had to give up Kava for a time. Still not pushing it as Covid did a number on me and I may be on some these extra meds for the long haul. Slowly picking up my kava game after each good liver panel.